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(groff)Manipulating Spacing

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Manipulating Spacing
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 - Request: .sp [distance]
     Space downwards DISTANCE.  With no argument it advances 1 line.  A
     negative argument causes `gtroff' to move up the page the
     specified distance.  If the argument is preceded by a `|' then
     `gtroff' moves that distance from the top of the page.  This
     request causes a line break.  The default scaling indicator is `v'.

 - Request: .ls [nnn]
 - Register: \n[.L]
     Output NNN-1 blank lines after each line of text.  With no
     argument, `gtroff' uses the previous value before the last `ls'
     call.


          .ls 2    \" This causes double-spaced output
          .ls 3    \" This causes triple-spaced output
          .ls      \" Again double spaced

     The line spacing is associated with the current environment (Note:
     Environments).

     The read-only number register `.L' contains the current line
     spacing setting.

 - Escape: \x'SPACING'
 - Register: \n[.a]
     Sometimes, extra vertical spacing is only needed occasionally, e.g.
     to allow space for a tall construct (like an equation).  The `\x'
     escape does this.  The escape is given a numerical argument,
     usually enclosed in quotes (like `\x'3p''); the default scaling
     indicator is `v'.  If this number is positive extra vertical space
     is inserted below the current line.  A negative number adds space
     above.  If this escape is used multiple times on the same line,
     the maximum of the values is used.

     Note: Escapes, for details on parameter delimiting characters.

     The `.a' read-only number register contains the most recent
     (nonnegative) extra vertical line space.


 - Request: .ns
 - Register: \n[.ns]
     Enable "no-space mode".  In this mode, spacing (either via `sp' or
     via blank lines) is disabled.  The `bp' request to advance to the
     next page is also disabled, except if it is accompanied by a page
     number (see Note: Page Control, for more information).  This
     mode ends when actual text is output or the `rs' request is
     encountered.  The read-only number register `.ns' is set to 1.

     This request is useful for macros which want to avoid that
     subsequent macros inadvertently insert some vertical space before
     the text starts (for example, to set up the first paragraph after
     a section header).


 - Request: .rs
     Disable no-space mode.