def blank(columns=1, name=None):
    """
    Creates the grammar for a blank field.

    These are for constant empty strings which should be ignored, as they are
    used just as fillers.

    :param columns: number of columns, which is the required number of
    whitespaces
    :param name: name for the field
    :return: grammar for the blank field
    """
    if name is None:
        name = 'Blank Field'

    field = pp.Regex('[ ]{' + str(columns) + '}')
    field.leaveWhitespace()
    field.suppress()

    field.setName(name)

    return field