---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, common]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# column

> Format `stdin` or a file into multiple columns.
> Columns are filled before rows; the default separator is a whitespace.
> More information: <https://manned.org/column>.

- Format the output of a command for a 30 characters wide display:

`printf "header1 header2
bar foo
" | column --output-width {{30}}`

- Split columns automatically and auto-align them in a tabular format:

`printf "header1 header2
bar foo
" | column --table`

- Specify the column delimiter character for the `--table` option (e.g. "," for CSV) (defaults to whitespace):

`printf "header1,header2
bar,foo
" | column --table --separator {{,}}`

- Fill rows before filling columns:

`printf "header1
bar
foobar
" | column --output-width {{30}} --fillrows`
