--- loncom/homework/inputtags.pm	2008/03/03 19:37:27	1.240
+++ loncom/homework/inputtags.pm	2008/03/03 22:49:55	1.241
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # input  definitons
 #
-# $Id: inputtags.pm,v 1.240 2008/03/03 19:37:27 www Exp $
+# $Id: inputtags.pm,v 1.241 2008/03/03 22:49:55 www Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -306,7 +306,9 @@ sub start_textline {
 		$oldresponse = $oldresponse->[$#Apache::inputtags::inputlist];
 	    }
 	    $oldresponse = &HTML::Entities::encode($oldresponse,'<>&"');
-
+            $oldresponse =~ s/^\s+//;
+            $oldresponse =~ s/\s+$//;
+            $oldresponse =~ s/\s+/ /g;
 	    if ($Apache::lonhomework::type ne 'exam') {
 		my $addchars=&Apache::lonxml::get_param('addchars',$parstack,$safeeval);
 		$result='';