CSS 2.1 Reference: white-space Property

The white-space property is used to control how white spaces are handled within the element.

This property is specified by using a keyword according to the syntax shown above.

CSS Example: The white-space properties are set using 5 different keyword values

  #tst1 {white-space: normal;}
  #tst2 {white-space: pre;}
  #tst3 {white-space: nowrap;}
  #tst4 {white-space: pre-wrap;}
  #tst5 {white-space: pre-line;}

• normal - Multiple white spaces will collapse into a single white space. Text will automatically word wrap. Line breaks are suppressed.
• pre - White spaces are not altered. Text will NOT automatically word wrap. Line breaks will force word wrap.
• nowrap - Multiple white spaces will collapse into a single white space. Text will NOT automatically word wrap. Line breaks are suppressed.
• pre-wrap - White spaces are not altered. Text will automatically word wrap. Line breaks will force word wrap.
• pre-line - Multiple white spaces will collapse into a single white space. Text will automatically word wrap. Line breaks will force word wrap.
• inherit - The inherit keyword is used to specify that the value for this property should be taken from the parent element. If inherit is used with the root element, then the initial value for this property will be used.