Using GREP and Javascript to replace 2 specific spaces with TABs

[Alecvdv]

Hi all,

I am trying to replace 2 specific spaces on either side of a 7 digit number with TAB spaces, mostly so I can apply my paragraph style to it. I am trying to also get it to apply only to the selected text frame.

app.findGrepPreferences.findWhat = "(?<=\d{7})\s"; //Spaces on either side of the 7 digit number
app.changeGrepPreferences.changeTo = "\t"; //replace with tabs instead of spaces
app.selection[0].paragraphs[0].changeGrep();

At this stage im not sure if it's the Javascript or the GREP that's not functioning as i want. It could be both. 
Any guidance would be amazing! 

[Peter Kahrel · Accepted solution]

Try this:

app.findGrepPreferences.findWhat = "\\s(\\d{7})\\s"; //Spaces on either side of the 7 digit number
app.changeGrepPreferences.changeTo = "\t$1\t"; //replace with tabs instead of spaces
app.selection[0].parentStory.changeGrep();

- You need to escape backslashes when you use them is strings (\\s, not \s)

- To target a textframe's contents, select it and do app.selection[0].parentStory.

P.

[Alecvdv]

Thank you so much Peter, it works perfectly! Lesson learned.