NAME
   col - filter reverse line feeds from input

SYNOPSIS
   col [-bfpx] [-l num]

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, and
   replaces white-space 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.

   The options are as follows:

   -b   Do not output any backspaces, printing only the last character
   written to each column position.

   -f   Forward half line feeds are permitted (``fine'' mode). Normally
   characters printed on a half line boundary are printed on the fol-
   lowing line.

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

   -x   Output multiple spaces instead of tabs.

   -lnum Buffer at least num lines in memory. By default, 128 lines are
   buffered.

   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
   carriage return (13)
   newline    forward line feed (10); also does carriage return
   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 dis-
   play a warning message.

SEE ALSO
  expand(1),nroff(1),tbl(1)

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

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