How can I write multiple spaces in a post?

Question

I want to write multiple spaces in code, say

many       spaces

but I want to do this in a code block, ``. But in this case, spaces are merged into one. I found this question, but there isn't any solution... How can I do this?

Answer 1

Looks like the hack suggested in the answer to the question you referring to no longer works, neither in post body nor in comments. (with `` multiple `` `` spaces)

The backticks are not exactly code blocks. They won't highlight the code inside them. They're used more to "escape" tags so they appear in the post or to distinguish code parts written as part of the sentence.

You can write multiple           spaces as part of a paragraph using   - it will be parsed as a single space.

However when part of backtick      code it's not parsed.

You also have the <pre></pre> tags, and whatever written between them will be indeed preserved as-is, for example:

many       spaces

However this can't be inline, even

if it's part of existing paragraph

(see the source) it will be parsed into its own line.

Answer 2

Although you can use   at no. of times you wish and most of users do it. But it results in only one space at a time and for more spacing we've to use it no. of times i.e   ..... (example facing such condition while posting this answer).

So,I am here discussing about three more entity reference that can be used.

1.   =   Results in one character space; e.g. A B
   
2.   Results in two character space; e.g. A B
   
3.   Results in four character space; e.g. A B
   

In other words, the character width of them are:

•   = 1 x  
•   = 2 x  
•   = 2 x   = 4 x  

Let's check:

1. A B (using   once)
2. A  B (using   twice)
3. A    B (using   four times)

So, as per requirement, we can use   (U+00A0),  (U+2002) or  (U+2003).

---

For more information and character entity, visit Character entity references in HTML.

Answer 3

To type spaces at a random place, I use two different methods:

•       ...
  Every space between each entity is also rendered. Instead of typing   for each space, use a &nbsp;<space> combination.
• +U2003 Unicode character. This is called an "Em space", and is bigger than a normal space. It effectively adds a long space at any point in your post. Copy-paste the gap between the following words for a demo:
  Start:          End. Between it, I used 10 em spaces.

Answer 4

You can use the real unbreakable space : ALT+0160 like a boss.

Note that the the block itself can't start or end with a space:
. .
. .
. .

is in fact

`    .   .`
`.   .    `
`.       .`

Screenshot from 2015, in case it gets changed in the future:

Answer 5

You need to use:

   non-breaking space: ' '
   em space: ' '
   en space: ' '
     thin space: ' '

SIX-PER-EM SPACE

<p>I will display &#8198;</p>
<p>I will display &#x2006;</p>

EN QUAD space example

<p>I will display &#8192;tt</p>
<p>I will display &#x2000;tt</p>

EM QUAD

<p>I will display &#8193;tt</p>
<p>I will display &#x2001;tt</p>

Table

Char    Dec Hex Entity  Name
    8192    2000        EN QUAD
    8193    2001        EM QUAD
    8194    2002       EN SPACE
    8195    2003       EM SPACE
    8196    2004        THREE-PER-EM SPACE
    8197    2005        FOUR-PER-EM SPACE
    8198    2006        SIX-PER-EM SPACE
    8199    2007        FIGURE SPACE
    8200    2008        PUNCTUATION SPACE
    8201    2009         THIN SPACE
    8202    200A        HAIR SPACE
​   8203    200B        ZERO WIDTH SPACE

Basically you can replace 4 space with  

  ==