---
name: "a2gs"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "a2gs"
version: "1.0-4.2"
release: "Debian 2.0 (Hamm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/a2gs"
---

# a2gs(1)

formats ASCII text files in PostScript for gs.

## NAME

a2gs - formats ASCII text files in PostScript for gs.

## SYNOPSIS

**a2gs** \[ **-TBLRwlpHtabsdnfmhH1234567890** \] \[ **--across** **--portrait** **--width** # **--length** # **--no-header** **--truncate** **--balance** **--show** **--double-space** **--number** **--file** file **--many-columns** # **--(top,bottom,left,right)-margin** # **--media** type **--help** **--(one,two,...)-column(s)** **--header** header \] file

## DESCRIPTION

*a2gs* formats a file for filtering through ghostscript; if no file is given, *a2gs* reads from the standard input. The format is completely variable by the user, with a default of: two columns on each landscape page, **pr** headers with useful information (page number, printing date, file name).  Very useful for draft copies.

Options offered by *a2gs* are the following:

- **-T,--(top,bottom,left,right)-margin #**

  Specify the margins you want in  **inch, cm,** or **pixels.** A default of inches is assumed if you fail to specify units. i.e.   **--top-margin 2.5cm**

- **-w,--width #**

  Specify the number of characters you wish to print per line.

- **-l,--length #**

  Specify the number of lines you want on each page of paper.

- **-p,--portrait**

  Specify portrait instead of landscape.

- **-N,--no-header**

  Don't include a header and five footer lines normally appended by **pr.**

- **-t,--truncate**

  Don't wrap lines.

- **-a,--across**

  Print columns across rather than down.

- **-b,--balance**

  Balance columns on the last page.

- **-s,--show**

  Show non-printable characters

- **-d,--double-space**

  Use double spacing.

- **-n,--number**

  Number each line.

- **-f,--file file**

  Specify the input file.  Only needed if your file name begins with a  **-.**

- **-H,--header header**

  Specify a header to use instead of the file name.

- **-\[1-9\],--one-column,--two-columns,...**

  Specify how many columns you want per page.

- **-0,--many-columns**

  Specify a number of columns per page greater than ten.

- **-m,--media type**

  Set paper size.  Valid types are: **letter, legal, ledger, tabloid, statement, executive,** **a3, a4, a5, b4, b5, quarto, 10x14, folio**

## PAPER SIZE

The paper size is determined in the following order, with the first taking priority. Command line option, **PAPERSIZE** environment variable, contents of the **/etc/papersize** file, and finally the default, which is **a4.**

## WARNING

This filter must be used only with text files. Avoid specially output from TeX, troff or any other such text formatters.

## FILES

- **/etc/papersize**

  File containing one of the valid paper sizes.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **PAPERSIZE**

  May be set to one of the valid paper sizes.

## SEE ALSO

[a2ps(1)](/a2ps/1.md), [gs(1)](/gs/1.md), [lpr(1)](/lpr/1.md)

## AUTHOR

Bill C. Riemers \<bcr@physics.purdue.edu\>

## REFERENCE

Ed Casas \<edc@ee.ubc.ca\> wrote the original postscript header. Kenneth MacDonald \<K.MacDonald@ed.ac.uk\> expanded paper size selection, cleaned and packaged *a2gs* for **Debian/GNU Linux.**

## COPYRIGHT

*a2gs* may  may be freely distributed and modified, but my copyright must kept, with a clear indication of what has been modified.  No other person may claim authorship of *a2gs.*

## BUGS

*a2gs* expects a valid media size in the first line of **/etc/papersize** and will ignore the rest of the file.  No comments are allowed in **/etc/papersize**

*a2gs* generates PostScript which must be executed by the interpreter, which can cause problems with some invocations of **gs**