[Linux] Bash column uso: Format text into columns

Overview

The column command in Bash is used to format text input into neatly aligned columns. It is particularly useful for organizing data output from other commands or files, making it easier to read and interpret.

Usage

The basic syntax of the column command is as follows:

column [options] [arguments]

Common Options

• -t: Create a table by determining the number of columns based on whitespace.
• -s <char>: Specify a delimiter character to separate columns (default is whitespace).
• -n: Suppress the output of the column header.
• -x: Fill columns before filling rows, which can be useful for certain layouts.

Common Examples

Example 1: Basic Column Formatting

To format a simple list of items into columns:

echo -e "Name\nAlice\nBob\nCharlie" | column

Example 2: Using a Custom Delimiter

If you have a CSV file and want to format it using a comma as a delimiter:

cat data.csv | column -s, -t

Example 3: Creating a Table

You can create a table from space-separated values:

echo -e "ID Name\n1 Alice\n2 Bob\n3 Charlie" | column -t

Example 4: Filling Columns First

To fill columns before rows, you can use the -x option:

echo -e "A\nB\nC\nD\nE\nF" | column -x

Tips

• Always use the -t option for better readability when dealing with space-separated data.
• When working with files, consider using cat or redirection to pipe the contents into column.
• Experiment with different delimiters using the -s option to see what works best for your data format.