# first character is a space.

**URL:** <https://community.mp3tag.de/t/first-character-is-a-space/14989>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [August 24, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/first-character-is-a-space/14989 "2013-08-24T04:32:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![testa](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@testa](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/testa)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/first-character-is-a-space/14989/1 "2013-08-24T04:32:46Z")

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Hello  
What is the syntax of the regular expression to remove the first character if it is a space?[http://forums.mp3tag.de/style\_emoticons/default/blink.gif](http://forums.mp3tag.de/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

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**Author:** ![ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/ohrenkino/32/4843_2.png) [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/first-character-is-a-space/14989/2 "2013-08-24T06:16:38Z")

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There is the $trim() function that cuts away leading and trailing blanks. Use it in a "Format value" action.  
To replace a leading blank (\_ shows the blank) in a regular expression replace:  
^\_

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**Author:** ![system](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/c/ce7035d426cb755a7916793326d23b465222a407.png) [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/first-character-is-a-space/14989/3 "2026-02-09T12:24:38Z")

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Closed on February 9, 2026, 12:24pm UTC