FMT(1)                               BSD                                FMT(1)



NAME
     fmt - simple text formatter

SYNOPSIS
     fmt [ name ... ]

DESCRIPTION
     fmt is a simple text formatter that reads the concatenation of input
     files (or standard input if you do not specify a file) and produces, on
     standard output, a version of its input with lines as close to 72
     characters long as possible.  fmt preserves spacing at the beginning of
     the input lines, blank lines, and interword spacing, in the output.

     fmt is meant to format mail messages before you send them, but may also
     be useful for other simple tasks.  For instance, within visual mode of
     the ex editor (for example, vi) the command
          !}fmt
     reformats a paragraph, making the lines even.

BUGS
     The program was designed to be simple and fast; for more complex
     operations, the standard text processors are likely to be more
     appropriate.

SEE ALSO
     nroff(1), mail(1)