Runoff Commands

.b Command

Outputs a partially filled line before processing the next line.

.begin page Command

Executes a .break command followed by an advance to a new page.

.box Command

Defines the left and right margin boundaries for a box around the text, and encloses the following text in a box of vertical bars on the output page.

.break Command

Creates a new paragraph.

.capitalize sentences Command

Capitalizes sentences following a period, exclamation point, question mark, colon, or a semicolon that is followed by one or more spaces.

.center Command

Outputs the next line of the document in nofill mode and centers it on the next line of output.

.chain Command

Transfers control to the specified item-ID.

.chapter Command

Ejects a page, increments the page and chapter counters, and outputs the literal, Chapter, followed by the optional text, centered between the current margins.

.contents Command

Outputs the current table of contents, as defined by the previous .chapter and .section commands.

.crt Command

Directs text unconditionally to the terminal screen.

.end case Command

Disables any previous .upper case or .lower case commands.

.fill Command

Enters line fill mode. Words are processed until there are enough to fill a line without overflowing it.

.footing Command

Designates a text string composed of literals and special options to output at the bottom of each page.

.heading Command

Designates a text string composed of literals and special options to output at the top of each page.

.hilite Command

Prints the optionally-specified character along the right margin.

.indent Command

Indents the text following the command a specified number of spaces from the left margin.

.indent margin Command

Increments the left margin by the specified number of spaces.

.index Command

Places the text and the current page number into the document’s index.

.input Command

Accepts and processes text input from the terminal.

.justify Command

Enables the .fill and .justify commands.

.left margin Command

Sets the left margin at a specific number of spaces from the left edge of the paper.

.line length Command

Sets the line length a specified number of characters from the left margin.

.lower case Command

Outputs text in lowercase characters.

.lptr Command

Directs output to the system printer, via the Spooler.

.lx command

Sets the auto-tab to a specified column number.

.nocapitalize sentences command

Deactivates the automatic capitalization of sentences mode.

.nofill Command (Runoff)

Resets both the justify and fill modes.

.nojustify Command

Disables the justification mode.

.noparagraph Command

Turns off the .paragraph command.

.page number Command (Runoff)

Sets the current page number to a specified number.

.paper length Command

Specifies the maximum number of print lines per output page.

.paragraph Command (Runoff)

Specifies the number of spaces for paragraph indentation.

.pfile Command

Creates a separate Spooler entry containing the table of contents created with the .contents command.

.print Command

Prints the next line of text on the terminal.

.print index Command (Runoff)

Prints the sorted index of words and page numbers.

.read Command (Runoff)

Transfers control to the specified Runoff item for output and returns control upon completion.

.readnext Command (Runoff)

Extracts the top entry of an active list created by one of the list-generating commands prior to output and inserts the value into the text of the item.

.save index Command (Runoff)

Saves entries defined in previous .index commands in the specified file reference, using the item-ID of the current Runoff item.

.section Command (Runoff)

Handles automatic chapter section numbering and formatting, in conjunction with the .chapter command.

.set tabs Command

Clears previous tab stops and specifies tab stop locations at specified column position.

.skip Command (Runoff)

Outputs a specific number of blank lines on a page, taking into account any previously specified .spacing commands.

.space Command (Runoff)

Outputs a specific number of blank lines on a page, regardless of any previously specified .spacing commands.

.spacing Command (Runoff)

Specifies interline spacing to the specified number of lines.

.standard Command (Runoff)

Defines the default parameter and mode settings for Runoff text.

.test page Command (Runoff)

Tests the number of lines left on the current page and determines whether text is output on the current or next page.

.upper case Command (Runoff)

Outputs text in uppercase characters, unless specifically altered by the \ lowercase special control function.