Notepad++ keeps inserting tabs which later messes up my code. This doesn\'t just happen when I hit the tab key, but other times as well. I want it to use 4 spaces instead of
Go to the Preferences menu command under menu Settings, and select Language Menu/Tab Settings, depending on your version. Earlier versions use Tab Settings. Later versions use Language. Click the Replace with space check box. Set the size to 4.
See documentation: http://docs.notepad-plus-plus.org/index.php/Built-in_Languages#Tab_settings
I have NotePad++ v6.8.3, and it was in Settings → Preferences → Tab Settings → [Default] → Replace by space:
In my Notepad++ 7.2.2, the Preferences section it's a bit different.
The option is located at: Settings / Preferences / Language / Replace by space as in the Screenshot.