NAME

tbl − format tables for nroff or troff

SYNOPSIS

tbl [ −ms ] [ −mm ] [ filename ] ...

AVAILABILITY

This command is available with the Text Processing Tools software installation option.  Refer to Installing the SunOS for information on how to install optional software. 

DESCRIPTION

tbl is a preprocessor for formatting tables for nroff(1) or troff(1).  The input filenames are copied to the standard output, except that lines between .TS and .TE command lines are assumed to describe tables and are reformatted.  Details are given in Formatting Documents. 

If no arguments are given, tbl reads the standard input, so tbl may be used as a filter.  When tbl is used with eqn(1) or neqn the tbl command should be first, to minimize the volume of data passed through pipes. 

OPTIONS

−ms Copy the −ms macro package to the front of the output file. 

−mm Copy the −mm macro package to the front of the output file. 

EXAMPLE

As an example, letting represent a TAB (which should be typed as a genuine TAB) the input

""
.TS
c s s
c c s
c c c
l n n.
Household Population
Town\tHouseholds
\tNumber\tSize
Bedminster\t789\t3.26
Bernards Twp.\t3087\t3.74
Bernardsville\t2018\t3.30
Bound Brook\t3425\t3.04
Branchburg\t1644\t3.49
Bridgewater\t7897\t3.81
Far Hills\t240\t3.19
.TE

yields

:Household Population
:Town:Households
::Number:Size
Bedminster:789:3.26
Bernards Twp.:3087:3.74
Bernardsville:2018:3.30
Bound Brook:3425:3.04
Branchburg:1644:3.49
Bridgewater:7897:3.81
Far Hills:240:3.19

SEE ALSO

eqn(1), nroff(1), troff(1)

Formatting Documents

Sun Release 4.0  —  Last change: 21 December 1987