A literal separator swap, configurable
Per-line Find-and-Replace with literal matching by default. Every occurrence of the Find string on every line is replaced with the Replace value. Default Find `,` and Replace `\t` turns comma-delimited lines into tab-delimited. Swap the defaults for any other pair.
For normalizing MULTIPLE mixed separators to one target (e.g. `,` + `;` + `|` all → `, `), use Normalize separators which is regex-first. This tool is the simpler one-character-to-one-character swap.
Special escape sequences in the Replace field: `\t` becomes a tab, `\n` becomes a newline. Find field treats escapes as literal unless Regex is on.
How to use change list item separator
- 1Paste your delimited list into the input panel
- 2Set Find to the current separator (default `,`)
- 3Set Replace to the new separator (default `\t` = tab)
- 4Every occurrence on every line is swapped
- 5Toggle Regex for pattern-based matching
Keyboard shortcuts
Drive ListShift without touching the mouse.
What this tool actually does
Pre-configured literal Replace tuned for separator swaps.
Literal match by default
Find `,` matches the literal comma character. Regex metacharacters like `.`, `*`, `+` are escaped automatically so they match literally. Toggle Regex on to treat them as patterns.
Per-line, every occurrence
Each line is scanned left-to-right; every match is replaced. Mode is fixed to `all` - for first/last only, use Replace directly.
Tab and newline via escape sequences
`\t` in Replace becomes a tab character. `\n` becomes a newline (which splits the item). `\r` for carriage return.
Common swaps pre-tuned
CSV → TSV: `,` → `\t`. CSV → pipe: `,` → ` | `. Tab → comma: `\t` → `,`. Semicolon → comma: `;` → `, `.
Regex toggle for ranges
Turn Regex on and set Find to `\s+` to swap any whitespace run for one character. Or `[;,]` to match either.
Worked example
Default swap: comma → tab. CSV line becomes TSV.
apple,banana,orange,grape
apple banana orange grape
Settings reference
How each option shapes the output using the sample above.
| Setting | What it does | Effect on the sample |
|---|---|---|
| Find: `,` (default), Replace: `\t` (default) | Every comma becomes a tab | `apple,banana,orange,grape` → `apple banana orange grape` |
| Find: `,`, Replace: ` | ` | Comma → pipe with surrounding spaces | `apple | banana | orange | grape` |
| Find: `,`, Replace: `\n` | Splits into one-per-line | 4 items on 4 lines |
| Find: `;`, Regex: off | Literal semicolon match | Unchanged on this sample (no `;`) |
| Find: `[,;]`, Regex: on | Matches comma OR semicolon | Works on sample AND `a;b;c` input |