# pr

## NAME



           pr - convert text files for printing
    


## SYNOPSIS



           **pr**[_OPTION_]... [_FILE_]...
    


## DESCRIPTION



           Paginate or columnate FILE(s) for printing.
    
           With no FILE, or when FILE is -, read standard input.
    
           Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short
           options too.
    
           +FIRST_PAGE[:LAST_PAGE], **--pages** =_FIRST_PAGE[_ :LAST_PAGE]
                  begin [stop] printing with page FIRST_[LAST_]PAGE
    
           **-COLUMN** , **--columns** =_COLUMN_
                  output COLUMN columns and print columns down, unless **-a** is
                  used. Balance number of lines in the columns on each page
    
           **-a** , **--across**
                  print columns across rather than down, used together with
                  **-COLUMN**
    
           **-c** , **--show-control-chars**
                  use hat notation (^G) and octal backslash notation
    
           **-d** , **--double-space**
                  double space the output
    
           **-D** , **--date-format** =_FORMAT_
                  use FORMAT for the header date
    
           **-e[CHAR[WIDTH]]** , **--expand-tabs**[=_CHAR[WIDTH]_]
                  expand input CHARs (TABs) to tab WIDTH (8)
    
           **-F** , **-f** , **--form-feed**
                  use form feeds instead of newlines to separate pages (by a
                  3-line page header with **-F** or a 5-line header and trailer
                  without **-F**)
    
           **-h** , **--header** =_HEADER_
                  use a centered HEADER instead of filename in page header,
                  **-h** "" prints a blank line, don't use **-h** ""
    
           **-i[CHAR[WIDTH]]** , **--output-tabs**[=_CHAR[WIDTH]_]
                  replace spaces with CHARs (TABs) to tab WIDTH (8)
    
           **-J** , **--join-lines**
                  merge full lines, turns off **-W** line truncation, no column
                  alignment, **--sep-string**[=_STRING_] sets separators
    
           **-l** , **--length** =_PAGE_LENGTH_
                  set the page length to PAGE_LENGTH (66) lines (default
                  number of lines of text 56, and with **-F** 63).  implies **-t** if
                  PAGE_LENGTH <= 10
    
           **-m** , **--merge**
                  print all files in parallel, one in each column, truncate
                  lines, but join lines of full length with **-J**
    
           **-n[SEP[DIGITS]]** , **--number-lines**[=_SEP[DIGITS]_]
                  number lines, use DIGITS (5) digits, then SEP (TAB),
                  default counting starts with 1st line of input file
    
           **-N** , **--first-line-number** =_NUMBER_
                  start counting with NUMBER at 1st line of first page
                  printed (see +FIRST_PAGE)
    
           **-o** , **--indent** =_MARGIN_
                  offset each line with MARGIN (zero) spaces, do not affect
                  **-w** or **-W** , MARGIN will be added to PAGE_WIDTH
    
           **-r** , **--no-file-warnings**
                  omit warning when a file cannot be opened
    
           **-s[CHAR]** , **--separator**[=_CHAR_]
                  separate columns by a single character, default for CHAR is
                  the <TAB> character without **-w** and 'no char' with **-w**.
                  **-s[CHAR]** turns off line truncation of all 3 column options
                  (**-COLUMN** |-a **-COLUMN** |-m) except **-w** is set
    
           **-S[STRING]** , **--sep-string**[=_STRING_]
                  separate columns by STRING, without **-S** : Default separator
                  <TAB> with **-J** and <space> otherwise (same as **-S** " "), no
                  effect on column options
    
           **-t** , **--omit-header**
                  omit page headers and trailers; implied if PAGE_LENGTH <=
                  10
    
           **-T** , **--omit-pagination**
                  omit page headers and trailers, eliminate any pagination by
                  form feeds set in input files
    
           **-v** , **--show-nonprinting**
                  use octal backslash notation
    
           **-w** , **--width** =_PAGE_WIDTH_
                  set page width to PAGE_WIDTH (72) characters for multiple
                  text-column output only, **-s[char]** turns off (72)
    
           **-W** , **--page-width** =_PAGE_WIDTH_
                  set page width to PAGE_WIDTH (72) characters always,
                  truncate lines, except **-J** option is set, no interference
                  with **-S** or **-s**
    
           **--help** display this help and exit
    
           **--version**
                  output version information and exit
    


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