Multiple space indentations

[porphyry5]

I create epubs from usually ocr-ed sources, currently a dichotomous key for plant identification, which involves many lines similar to these:

         10a Stipules about equal to leaflets; leaflets 6-12; flowers purple
              <a href="#japonicus">L. japonicus</a>
         10b Stipules less than 1/2 as long as leaflets; leaflets typically 6,
             (4-8); flowers pinkish-purple or rarely white  <a href="#palustris">L. palustris</a>
       8b Not sea-beach or coastal marsh plants
          11a Peduncles 1-2-flowered; leaflets 8-16,1-2 cm long; legumes
              1.5-2.5 cm long  <a href="#torreyi">L. torreyi</a>
          11b Peduncles more than 2-flowered or leaflets or legumes longer
           12a Stipules 1 cm wide or more; leaflets 10-16  <a href="#polyphyllus">L. polyphyllus</a>
           12b Stipules less than 1 cm wide; leaflets 12 or less
            13a Corollas white  <a href="#vestitus">L. vestitus</a>
            13b Corollas purple to lavender or pink  <a href="#nevadensis">L. nevadensis</a></pre>

I cannot find any practical way to achieve multi-space indentation. Using <pre>...</pre> means that links within them are not encoded; using nothing loses all indentation completely; and alternating spaces with &nbsp; produced no progress after an hour's run time (otherwise calibre completes this in < 2 minutes.

What would be the best method of multiple space indenting?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by porphyry5

I create epubs from usually ocr-ed sources, currently a dichotomous key for plant identification, which involves many lines similar to these:

         10a Stipules about equal to leaflets; leaflets 6-12; flowers purple
              <a href="#japonicus">L. japonicus</a>
         10b Stipules less than 1/2 as long as leaflets; leaflets typically 6,
             (4-8); flowers pinkish-purple or rarely white  <a href="#palustris">L. palustris</a>
       8b Not sea-beach or coastal marsh plants
          11a Peduncles 1-2-flowered; leaflets 8-16,1-2 cm long; legumes
              1.5-2.5 cm long  <a href="#torreyi">L. torreyi</a>
          11b Peduncles more than 2-flowered or leaflets or legumes longer
           12a Stipules 1 cm wide or more; leaflets 10-16  <a href="#polyphyllus">L. polyphyllus</a>
           12b Stipules less than 1 cm wide; leaflets 12 or less
            13a Corollas white  <a href="#vestitus">L. vestitus</a>
            13b Corollas purple to lavender or pink  <a href="#nevadensis">L. nevadensis</a></pre>

I cannot find any practical way to achieve multi-space indentation. Using <pre>...</pre> means that links within them are not encoded; using nothing loses all indentation completely; and alternating spaces with &nbsp; produced no progress after an hour's run time (otherwise calibre completes this in < 2 minutes.

What would be the best method of multiple space indenting?

Best?

Nested BlockQuotes

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p level 1
BQ
p level 2
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p level 3
/BQ
p level 2
/BQ
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p level 0

[porphyry5]

Originally Posted by theducks

Best?

Nested BlockQuotes

BQ
p level 1
BQ
p level 2
BQ
p level 3
/BQ
p level 2
/BQ
/BQ
p level 0

Thank you for your help. I'll give <blockquote> a try.