Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Name

pr

Synopsis

pr [options] [files]

Convert a text file or files to a paginated or columned version, with headers, suitable for printing. If - is provided as the filename, read from standard input.

Options

+beg_pag[:end-pag], --pages=beg_pag[:end-pag]

Begin printing on page beg_pag and end on end-pag if specified.

-num_cols, --columns=num_cols

Set the number of columns to print, balancing the number of lines in the columns on each page. Print vertical columns, except with -a.

-a, --across

Print columns horizontally, not vertically.

-c, --show-control-chars

Convert control characters to hat notation (such as ^C), and other unprintable characters to octal backslash format.

-d, --double-space

Double space.

-D format, --date-format=format

Format the header date using format. See the date command for the possible formats.

-e[tab-char[width]], --expand-tabs[=tab-char[width]]

Convert tabs (or tab-chars) to spaces. If width is specified, convert tabs to width characters (default is 8).

-f, -F, --form-feed

Separate pages with form feeds, not newlines. With -F, print a three-line page header; otherwise, print a five-line header and trailer.

-h header, --header=header

Use header for the header instead of the filename. The header is centered.

--help

Print a help message and then exit.

-i[out-tab-char[out-tab-width]],--output-tabs[=out-tab-char[out-tab-width]]

Replace spaces with tabs on output. You can specify an alternative tab character (default is tab) and width (default is 8).

-J, --join-lines

Merge full lines; ...