I'm using node.js to pick out field values in some converted text. It's pretty messy with random spaces. One line looks like this:

'ADDRESS: 2626 W MAIN ST                                       Tran Total $1.91.$3'

I know where fields start but I can't get it to sop after two white spaces. Here's what I'm trying but it returns everything to the right of 'ADDRESS:':

/ADDRESS:\s([[^\s{2,}]+)/

Is there a way to include spaces and stop at the first double space with a lookahead? This doesn't work:

/ADDRESS:\s(.*(q!\s{2,}))/

I'm using node.js to pick out field values in some converted text. It's pretty messy with random spaces. One line looks like this:

'ADDRESS: 2626 W MAIN ST                                       Tran Total $1.91.$3'

I know where fields start but I can't get it to sop after two white spaces. Here's what I'm trying but it returns everything to the right of 'ADDRESS:':

/ADDRESS:\s([[^\s{2,}]+)/

Is there a way to include spaces and stop at the first double space with a lookahead? This doesn't work:

/ADDRESS:\s(.*(q!\s{2,}))/

• javascript
• regex

• What if there aren't two white spaces, but instead the address ends with end of string or newline? – Paul Commented Jun 25, 2013 at 0:07

3 Answers 3

Use a non-greedy wildcard:

/ADDRESS:\s.*?(?=\s{2})/

REGEXR

/ADDRESS:\s((?:\S|\s(?!\s))*)/

should do the trick. Any number of non-spaces or spaces not followed by a space.

Why not just do this?

out = input.split("  ")[0]; // two spaces in that string

That's more effective than a regex. Or try this:

var spaces = input.indexOf("  "); // again, two spaces
out = spaces < 0 ? input : input.substr(0,spaces);