HP PCL/PJL reference (PCL 5 Printer Language) - Technical Quick Reference Guide
EN  9
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Cursor Positioning 
Cursor positioning can be either absolute or relative. Absolute positioning 
specifies the cursor move distances referenced from the left edge of the 
logical page and the top margin. Relative positioning specifies cursor 
move distances referenced from the current cursor position. Relative 
moves are indicated by using signed numbers (e.g. # = +15 or –122); 
absolute moves are indicated by unsigned numbers (e.g. # = 15 or 122).
Horizontal Cursor Positioning (in Columns) 
Moves the cursor to a new column on the current line (column width 
determined by current HMI setting). 
? & a # C 
# = Column number 
Horizontal Cursor Positioning (in Decipoints) 
Moves the cursor to a new position along the x-axis.
? & a # H 
# = Decipoint position (1/720 inch), valid to 2 decimal places. 
Horizontal Cursor Positioning (PCL units) 
Moves the cursor to a new position along the x-axis.
? * p # X 
# = Number of PCL units
Horizontal Cursor Positioning Control Codes 
CR - Carriage-Return
Moves the cursor to the left margin on the current line.
(Operation of CR may be modified—see Line Termination command.)
SP - Space 
Moves the cursor one column right on the current line for fixed-space font 
or moves the cursor the HMI distance for proportional fonts when space 
is a non-printing character. 
BS - Backspace 
Moves the cursor left, the distance of the last printed character, on the 
current line for fixed-space fonts. For proportionally-spaced fonts, 
backspace moves the cursor back along the current line the distance 
required to center the overstrike character over the last printed character. 
Subsequent BS command moves the width of the last printed character.
 HT - Horizontal Tab 
Moves the cursor to the next tab stop on the current line. (Tab stops are 
set every 8th column.) 
Learn.fm Page 9 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 8:17 AM










