TBL(1)
NAME
tbl − format tables for nroff or troff
USAGE
tbl [ −TX ] [ files ]
DESCRIPTION
Tbl is a preprocessor that formats tables for nroff (1) or troff (1). The input files are copied to the standard output, except for lines between .TS and .TE command lines. Tbl assumes these lines to describe tables, so it reformats them as such (without altering their contents).
A .TS is followed by the global formatting features indicated below. If these features are used, they are always terminated with a semicolon (;). The global formatting features are followed by line formatting characters, then by lines containing the actual data for the table, followed finally by .TE. Within such data lines, data items are normally separated by tab characters.
If a data line consists of only an underscore (_) or an equal sign (=), a single or double line, respectively, is drawn across the table at that point. If a single item in a data line consists of only these same characters, then that item is replaced by a single or double line, respectively.
The −TX option forces tbl to use only full vertical line motions, making the output more suitable for devices that cannot generate partial vertical line motions (e.g., line printers).
If no filenames are given as arguments, tbl reads the standard input, so it may be used as a filter. When it is used with eqn (1) or neqn (1), tbl should come first to minimize the volume of data passed through pipes.
Note: This version of tbl is an older one (pre-System 5), because the System 5 version is only available through the AT&T Documenter’s Workbench Software, which Apollo is not yet licensed to provide.
GLOBAL FORMATTING FEATURES
center Center the table (default is left-adjust).
expand Make the table as wide as the current line length.
box Enclose the table in a box.
doublebox Enclose the table in a double box.
allbox Enclose each item of the table in a box.
tab (x) Use the character x instead of a tab to separate items in a line of input data.
LINE FORMATTING KEYLETTERS
Each format line describes one line of the actual table, except that the last format line (which must end with a period) describes all remaining lines of the table.
Each column of each line of the table is described by a single keyletter. This keyletter is optionally followed by specifiers that determine what the font and point size of the corresponding item will be; where vertical bars are to appear between columns; and what the column width and intercolumn spacing will be.
The available keyletters are:
c Center item within the column.
r Right-adjust item within the column.
l Left-adjust item within the column.
n Numerically adjust an item in the column. Vertically align units positions of numbers.
s Span previous item on the left into this column.
a Center longest line in this column and then left-adjust all other lines in this column with respect to that centered line.
^ Span down previous entry in this column.
_ Replace this entry with a horizontal line.
= Replace this entry with a double horizontal line.
The characters B and I stand for the bold and italic fonts, respectively; the pipe character (│) indicates a vertical line between columns.
EXAMPLE
If we let a colon (:) represent a tab, then the input:
.TS
center box ;
cB s s
cI │ cI s
^ │ c c
l │ n n .
Household Population
_
Town:Households
:Number:Size
=
Bedminster:789:3.26
Bernards Twp.:3087:3.74
Bernardsville:2018:3.30
Bound Brook:3425:3.04
Bridgewater:7897:3.81
Far Hills:240:3.19
.TE
yields:
Household Population
Households
TownNumberSize
Bedminster7893.26
Bernards Twp.30873.74
Bernardsville20183.30
Bound Brook34253.04
Bridgewater78973.81
Far Hills2403.19