regexmultilineultraedit

Replacing multiple blank lines with one blank line using RegEx search and replace


I have a file that I need to reformat and remove "extra" blank lines.

I am using the Perl syntax regular expression search and replace functionality of UltraEdit and need the regular expression to put in the "Find What:" field.

Here is a sample of the file I need to re-format.

All current text

REPLACE with all the following:


Winter 2011 Class Schedule 

Winter 2011 Class Registration Dates:  Dec. 6, 2010 – Jan. 1, 2011
Winter 2011 Class Session Dates:  Jan. 5 – Feb. 12, 2011

DANCE

Adventures in Ballet & Tap      
3 – 6 years Instructor:  Ann Newby
Tots ages 3 – 6 years old develop a greater sense of rhythm, flexibility and coordination as they explore the basic elements of movement.
Saturdays   9 - 10 a.m.     Jan. 8 – Feb. 12        Six-week fees:   $30 


African Storytelling
3 – 6 years Instructor:  Ann Newby
Tots ages 3 – 6 years old explore storytelling and fables through spoken word, music, movement and visual arts experiences.
Saturdays   10 – 11 a.m.    Jan. 8 – Feb. 12        Six-week fee:   $30


African Dance / Children

You'll notice that some of the double blank lines have spaces or tabs or both in them.

After the search and replace has been run I should have a file that looks like this.

All current text

REPLACE with all the following:

Winter 2011 Class Schedule 

Winter 2011 Class Registration Dates:  Dec. 6, 2010 – Jan. 1, 2011
Winter 2011 Class Session Dates:  Jan. 5 – Feb. 12, 2011

DANCE

Adventures in Ballet & Tap      
3 – 6 years Instructor:  Ann Newby
Tots ages 3 – 6 years old develop a greater sense of rhythm, flexibility and coordination as they explore the basic elements of movement.
Saturdays   9 - 10 a.m.     Jan. 8 – Feb. 12        Six-week fees:   $30 

African Storytelling
3 – 6 years Instructor:  Ann Newby
Tots ages 3 – 6 years old explore storytelling and fables through spoken word, music, movement and visual arts experiences.
Saturdays   10 – 11 a.m.    Jan. 8 – Feb. 12        Six-week fee:   $30

African Dance / Children

Solution

  • Replacing

    ^(\s*\r\n){2,}

    With

    \r\n

    Is what I ended up with.

    This only selects blank lines in multiples of two or more and replaces them with one.