Char(9) doesn't print tab in Sql server 2005

Question

I am trying to print a tab in sql server using: ``` select 'tab-->' + char(9) + '<--tab' ``` But it doesn't seem to work and always prints ``` tab--> <--tab ``` Is there any thing I am missing?

Accepted Answer

If you're testing this inside of Management Studio, the `Results to Grid` (Ctrl + D) setting will change your tab to a space... try switching to `Results to Text` (Ctrl + T) instead, and you will see the tab. Alternately, you can change your `select` to a `print`: ``` print 'tab-->' + char(9) + '<--tab' ``` Outputs... ``` tab--> <--tab ```

Char(9) doesn't print tab in Sql server 2005

Solution

Problem