Column-dependent data is groups of nonblank source data separated by two or more blanks, such as a table. When you use CHANGE to change column-dependent data, ISPF attempts to maintain positional relationships. For instance, if you change a long word to a short word, the editor pads the short word with blanks. This padding maintains the column position of any data to the right of the change by preventing it from shifting left.

When only one blank separates words, as in most text data, padding does not occur. Changing a long word to a short word causes data to the right of the change to shift left.