NAME

       col - filter reverse line feeds from input

SYNOPSIS

       col options

DESCRIPTION

       col filters out reverse (and half-reverse) line feeds so the output is in the correct
       order, with only forward and half-forward line feeds. It also replaces any whitespace
       characters with tabs where possible. This can be useful in processing the output of
       nroff(1) and tbl(1).

       col reads from standard input and writes to standard output.

OPTIONS

       -b, --no-backspaces
           Do not output any backspaces, printing only the last character written to each column
           position.

       -f, --fine
           Permit half-forward line feeds. Normally characters destined for a half-line boundary
           are printed on the following line.

       -h, --tabs
           Output tabs instead of multiple spaces.

       -l, --lines number
           Buffer at least number lines in memory. By default, 128 lines are buffered.

       -p, --pass
           Force unknown control sequences to be passed through unchanged. Normally col will
           filter out any control sequences other than those recognized and interpreted by
           itself, which are listed below.

       -x, --spaces
           Output multiple spaces instead of tabs.

       -h, --help
           Display help text and exit.

       -V, --version
           Print version and exit.

CONFORMING TO

       The col utility conforms to the Single UNIX Specification, Version 2. The -l option is an
       extension to the standard.

NOTES

       The control sequences for carriage motion that col understands and their decimal values
       are listed in the following table:

       ESC-7
           reverse line feed (escape then 7)

       ESC-8
           half reverse line feed (escape then 8)

       ESC-9
           half forward line feed (escape then 9)

       backspace
           moves back one column (8); ignored in the first column

       newline
           forward line feed (10); also does carriage return

       carriage return
           (13)

       shift in
           shift to normal character set (15)

       shift out
           shift to alternate character set (14)

       space
           moves forward one column (32)

       tab
           moves forward to next tab stop (9)

       vertical tab
           reverse line feed (11)

       All unrecognized control characters and escape sequences are discarded.

       col keeps track of the character set as characters are read and makes sure the character
       set is correct when they are output.

       If the input attempts to back up to the last flushed line, col will display a warning
       message.

HISTORY

       A col command appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.

SEE ALSO

       expand(1), nroff(1), tbl(1)

REPORTING BUGS

       For bug reports, use the issue tracker at https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/issues.

AVAILABILITY

       The col command is part of the util-linux package which can be downloaded from Linux
       Kernel Archive <https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/>.