# pr(1) - man - phpMan

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## 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
              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
              use FORMAT for the header date

### -e[CHAR[WIDTH]] --expand-tabs
              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
              use  a  centered HEADER instead of filename in page header, **-h** "" prints a blank line,
              don't use **-h**""

### -i[CHAR[WIDTH]] --output-tabs
              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
              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
              number  lines, use DIGITS (5) digits, then SEP (TAB), default counting starts with 1st
              line of input file

### -N --first-line-number
              start counting with NUMBER at 1st line of first page printed (see +FIRST_PAGE)

### -o --indent
              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
              separate  columns by a single character, default for CHAR is the <TAB> character with‐
              out **-w** and 'no char' with **-w**.  **-s[CHAR]** turns off line truncation of all 3 column  op‐
              tions (**-COLUMN**|-a **-COLUMN**|-m) except **-w** is set

### -S[STRING] --sep-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
              set  page  width  to  PAGE_WIDTH (72) characters for multiple text-column output only,
              **-s[char]** turns off (72)

### -W --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

## AUTHOR
       Written by Pete TerMaat and Roland Huebner.

## REPORTING BUGS
       GNU coreutils online help: <<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/>>
       Report any translation bugs to <<https://translationproject.org/team/>>

## COPYRIGHT
       Copyright  ©  2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc.  License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later
       <<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>>.
       This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.  There is NO WARRANTY,  to
       the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO
       Full documentation <<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/pr>>
       or available locally via: info '(coreutils) pr invocation'



GNU coreutils 8.32                          January 2026                                       [PR(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/PR/1/markdown)