w/o using environment variables or cfg för extfh. I try x"91" 46 null insertion and tab function 48, but there is still replaced by space when i examine (in hex view). 
How to properli read a ls file ant retaing tabs?

#tab

Just quickly out of my mind.

add a line at the begining of your program
$SET FCDREG

copy the xfhfcd2.cpy into your program into the linkage.
01 FH-BLOCK.
copy "xfhfcd2.cpy".


and right before your OPEN STATEMENT add similar lines



set address of FH-BLOCK to FH--FCD of MYFILE
IF tkIT = kTrue
*--> INSERTTAB(YES) set bit 3 in StatusType
CALL "CBL_OR" using x"04", FCD-Status-Type by value 1
*--> added bit EXPANDTAB on 2008/11/17
CALL "CBL_OR" using x"10", FCD-Status-Type by value 1
CALL "CBL_XOR" using x"10", FCD-Status-Type by value 1
ELSE
*--> INSERTTAB(NO) unset bit 3 in StatusType
CALL "CBL_OR" using x"04", FCD-Status-Type by value 1
CALL "CBL_XOR" using x"04", FCD-Status-Type by value 1
*--> added bit EXPANDTAB on 2008/11/17
CALL "CBL_OR" using x"10", FCD-Status-Type by value 1
end-if
OPEN INPUT MYFILE

This is only a sample code. Please have a closer view to the Micro Focus documentation for details on the file-handler usage.

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