fmt(1)                                                     fmt(1)



NAME
     fmt - invokes a simple text formatter

SYNOPSIS
     fmt [file]...

ARGUMENTS
     file Specifies the file to be formatted.

DESCRIPTION
     fmt is a simple text formatter which reads the concatenation
     of input files (or standard input if none are given) and
     produces on standard output a version of its input with
     lines as close as possible to 72 characters long.  The
     spacing at the beginning of the input lines is preserved in
     the output, as are blank lines and interword spacing.

     The fmt command is meant to format mail messages prior to
     sending, but may also be useful for other simple tasks.  For
     instance, within visual mode of the ex editor (e.g.  vi) the
     command:

        !}fmt

     will reformat a paragraph, evening the lines.

LIMITATIONS
     The program was designed to be simple and fast; for more
     complex operations, the standard text processors are likely
     to be more appropriate.

FILES
     /usr/ucb/fmt
          Executable file

SEE ALSO
     nroff(1), mail(1), pr(1), troff(1), vi(1)


















January 1992                                                    1