---
name: "file2brl"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "liblouisutdml-bin"
version: "2.12.0-7"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/file2brl"
---

# file2brl(1)

Translate an xml or a text file into an embosser-ready braille file

## NAME

file2brl - Translate an xml or a text file into an embosser-ready braille file

## SYNOPSIS

**file2brl** \[*OPTION*\] \[*inputFile*\] \[*outputFile*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Translate an xml, html or a text file into an embosser-ready braille file. This includes translation into grade two, if desired, mathematical codes, etc. It also includes formatting according to a built-in style sheet which can be modified by the user.

If inputFile is not specified or '-' input is taken from stdin. If outputFile is not specified the output is sent to stdout.

- **-h**, **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **-v**, **--version**

  display version information and exit

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

  name a configuration file that specifies how to do the translation

- **-b**, **--backward**

  backward translation

- **-r**, **--reformat**

  reformat a braille file

- **-T**, **--text**

  Treat as text even if xml

- **-t**, **--html**

  html document, not xhtml

- **-p**, **--poorly-formatted**

  translate a poorly formatted file

- **-P**, **--paragraph-line**

  treat each block of text ending in a newline as a paragraph. If there are two newline characters a blank line will be inserted before the next paragraph

- **-C**, **--config-setting**

  specify particular configuration settings They override any settings that are specified in a config file

- **-w** **--writeable-path**

  path for temp files and log file

- **-l**, **--log-file**

  write errors to file2brl.log instead of stderr

## AUTHOR

Written by John J. Boyer.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to \<liblouis-liblouisxml@freelists.org\>.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2023 ViewPlus Technologies, Inc. and JJB Software, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>.\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **file2brl** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **file2brl** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info liblouisutdml**

should give you access to the complete manual.