Be careful. Saying ['data2 data2 data2 data2 data2'] means that the value is an array reference with a single element, 'data2 data2 data2 data2 data2', which is a string. It's not the same as ['data2', 'data2', 'data2', 'data2', 'data2'] which is an array reference consist of some elements that are all strings. If what you want is the latter, then toolic has given the answer.

However, if what you want is the former then you can join back @description separated by, for example, spaces. This also replaces tabs with single spaces. From toolic's code:

my ($id, @description) = split;
$hash{$id} = [join ' ', @description];
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