Alternate output format for psql

I just needed to spend more time staring at the documentation. This command:

\x on

will do exactly what I wanted. Here is some sample output:

select * from dda where u_id=24 and dda_is_deleted='f';
-[ RECORD 1 ]------+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dda_id             | 1121
u_id               | 24
ab_id              | 10304
dda_type           | CHECKING
dda_status         | PENDING_VERIFICATION
dda_is_deleted     | f
dda_verify_op_id   | 44938
version            | 2
created            | 2012-03-06 21:37:50.585845
modified           | 2012-03-06 21:37:50.593425
c_id               | 
dda_nickname       | 
dda_account_name   | 
cu_id              | 1
abd_id             | 

(New) Expanded Auto Mode: \x auto

New for Postgresql 9.2; PSQL automatically fits records to the width of the screen. previously you only had expanded mode on or off and had to switch between the modes as necessary.

• If the record can fit into the width of the screen; psql uses normal formatting.
• If the record can not fit into the width of the screen; psql uses expanded mode.

To get this use: \x auto

Postgresql 9.5 Documentation on PSQL command.

---

Wide screen, normal formatting:

 id | time  |       humanize_time             | value 
----+-------+---------------------------------+-------
  1 | 09:30 |  Early Morning - (9.30 am)      |   570
  2 | 11:30 |  Late Morning - (11.30 am)      |   690
  3 | 13:30 |  Early Afternoon - (1.30pm)     |   810
  4 | 15:30 |  Late Afternoon - (3.30 pm)     |   930
(4 rows)

---

Narrow screen, expanded formatting:

-[ RECORD 1 ]-+---------------------------
id            | 1
time          | 09:30
humanize_time | Early Morning - (9.30 am)
value         | 570
-[ RECORD 2 ]-+---------------------------
id            | 2
time          | 11:30
humanize_time | Late Morning - (11.30 am)
value         | 690
-[ RECORD 3 ]-+---------------------------
id            | 3
time          | 13:30
humanize_time | Early Afternoon - (1.30pm)
value         | 810
-[ RECORD 4 ]-+---------------------------
id            | 4
time          | 15:30
humanize_time | Late Afternoon - (3.30 pm)
value         | 930

---

How to start psql with \x auto?

Configure \x auto command on startup by adding it to .psqlrc in your home folder and restarting psql. Look under 'Files' section in the psql doc for more info.

~/.psqlrc

\x auto