diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 1dbeb668dbdcf1..bf66648e2c5f59 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 /git-cherry-pick
 /git-clean
 /git-clone
+/git-column
 /git-commit
 /git-commit-tree
 /git-config
diff --git a/Documentation/config.txt b/Documentation/config.txt
index 355ee53652aad4..915cb5a5478969 100644
--- a/Documentation/config.txt
+++ b/Documentation/config.txt
@@ -856,6 +856,44 @@ color.ui::
 	`never` if you prefer git commands not to use color unless enabled
 	explicitly with some other configuration or the `--color` option.
 
+column.ui::
+	Specify whether supported commands should output in columns.
+	This variable consists of a list of tokens separated by spaces
+	or commas:
++
+--
+`always`;;
+	always show in columns
+`never`;;
+	never show in columns
+`auto`;;
+	show in columns if the output is to the terminal
+`column`;;
+	fill columns before rows (default)
+`row`;;
+	fill rows before columns
+`plain`;;
+	show in one column
+`dense`;;
+	make unequal size columns to utilize more space
+`nodense`;;
+	make equal size columns
+--
++
+	This option defaults to 'never'.
+
+column.branch::
+	Specify whether to output branch listing in `git branch` in columns.
+	See `column.ui` for details.
+
+column.status::
+	Specify whether to output untracked files in `git status` in columns.
+	See `column.ui` for details.
+
+column.tag::
+	Specify whether to output tag listing in `git tag` in columns.
+	See `column.ui` for details.
+
 commit.status::
 	A boolean to enable/disable inclusion of status information in the
 	commit message template when using an editor to prepare the commit
diff --git a/Documentation/git-branch.txt b/Documentation/git-branch.txt
index e71370d6b49f58..47235bea0403bf 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-branch.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-branch.txt
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ SYNOPSIS
 [verse]
 'git branch' [--color[=<when>] | --no-color] [-r | -a]
 	[--list] [-v [--abbrev=<length> | --no-abbrev]]
+	[--column[=<options>] | --no-column]
 	[(--merged | --no-merged | --contains) [<commit>]] [<pattern>...]
 'git branch' [--set-upstream | --track | --no-track] [-l] [-f] <branchname> [<start-point>]
 'git branch' (-m | -M) [<oldbranch>] <newbranch>
@@ -107,6 +108,14 @@ OPTIONS
 	default to color output.
 	Same as `--color=never`.
 
+--column[=<options>]::
+--no-column::
+	Display branch listing in columns. See configuration variable
+	column.branch for option syntax.`--column` and `--no-column`
+	without options are equivalent to 'always' and 'never' respectively.
++
+This option is only applicable in non-verbose mode.
+
 -r::
 --remotes::
 	List or delete (if used with -d) the remote-tracking branches.
diff --git a/Documentation/git-column.txt b/Documentation/git-column.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..9be16eea0e5075
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/git-column.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+git-column(1)
+=============
+
+NAME
+----
+git-column - Display data in columns
+
+SYNOPSIS
+--------
+[verse]
+'git column' [--command=<name>] [--[raw-]mode=<mode>] [--width=<width>]
+	     [--indent=<string>] [--nl=<string>] [--pading=<n>]
+
+DESCRIPTION
+-----------
+This command formats its input into multiple columns.
+
+OPTIONS
+-------
+--command=<name>::
+	Look up layout mode using configuration variable column.<name> and
+	column.ui.
+
+--mode=<mode>::
+	Specify layout mode. See configuration variable column.ui for option
+	syntax.
+
+--raw-mode=<n>::
+	Same as --mode but take mode encoded as a number. This is mainly used
+	by other commands that have already parsed layout mode.
+
+--width=<width>::
+	Specify the terminal width. By default 'git column' will detect the
+	terminal width, or fall back to 80 if it is unable to do so.
+
+--indent=<string>::
+	String to be printed at the beginning of each line.
+
+--nl=<N>::
+	String to be printed at the end of each line,
+	including newline character.
+
+--padding=<N>::
+	The number of spaces between columns. One space by default.
+
+
+Author
+------
+Written by Nguyen Thai Ngoc Duy <pclouds@gmail.com>
+
+GIT
+---
+Part of the linkgit:git[1] suite
diff --git a/Documentation/git-status.txt b/Documentation/git-status.txt
index a29aae60cded28..2883a285bae115 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-status.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-status.txt
@@ -77,6 +77,13 @@ configuration variable documented in linkgit:git-config[1].
 	Terminate entries with NUL, instead of LF.  This implies
 	the `--porcelain` output format if no other format is given.
 
+--column[=<options>]::
+--no-column::
+	Display untracked files in columns. See configuration variable
+	column.status for option syntax.`--column` and `--no-column`
+	without options are equivalent to 'always' and 'never'
+	respectively.
+
 
 OUTPUT
 ------
diff --git a/Documentation/git-tag.txt b/Documentation/git-tag.txt
index 8d32b9a814675c..e36a7c3d1e11e3 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-tag.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-tag.txt
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ SYNOPSIS
 	<tagname> [<commit> | <object>]
 'git tag' -d <tagname>...
 'git tag' [-n[<num>]] -l [--contains <commit>] [--points-at <object>]
+	[--column[=<options>] | --no-column] [<pattern>...]
 	[<pattern>...]
 'git tag' -v <tagname>...
 
@@ -84,6 +85,14 @@ OPTIONS
 	using fnmatch(3)).  Multiple patterns may be given; if any of
 	them matches, the tag is shown.
 
+--column[=<options>]::
+--no-column::
+	Display tag listing in columns. See configuration variable
+	column.tag for option syntax.`--column` and `--no-column`
+	without options are equivalent to 'always' and 'never' respectively.
++
+This option is only applicable when listing tags without annotation lines.
+
 --contains <commit>::
 	Only list tags which contain the specified commit.
 
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index bdf2a578df6842..ac40e24625f7b1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -688,6 +688,7 @@ LIB_OBJS += bulk-checkin.o
 LIB_OBJS += bundle.o
 LIB_OBJS += cache-tree.o
 LIB_OBJS += color.o
+LIB_OBJS += column.o
 LIB_OBJS += combine-diff.o
 LIB_OBJS += commit.o
 LIB_OBJS += compat/obstack.o
@@ -818,6 +819,7 @@ BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/checkout-index.o
 BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/checkout.o
 BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/clean.o
 BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/clone.o
+BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/column.o
 BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/commit-tree.o
 BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/commit.o
 BUILTIN_OBJS += builtin/config.o
@@ -2224,6 +2226,7 @@ builtin/prune.o builtin/reflog.o reachable.o: reachable.h
 builtin/commit.o builtin/revert.o wt-status.o: wt-status.h
 builtin/tar-tree.o archive-tar.o: tar.h
 connect.o transport.o url.o http-backend.o: url.h
+builtin/branch.o builtin/commit.o builtin/tag.o column.o help.o pager.o: column.h
 http-fetch.o http-walker.o remote-curl.o transport.o walker.o: walker.h
 http.o http-walker.o http-push.o http-fetch.o remote-curl.o: http.h url.h
 
diff --git a/builtin.h b/builtin.h
index 857b9c8aa85fff..338f540e39af70 100644
--- a/builtin.h
+++ b/builtin.h
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ extern int cmd_cherry(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
 extern int cmd_cherry_pick(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
 extern int cmd_clone(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
 extern int cmd_clean(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
+extern int cmd_column(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
 extern int cmd_commit(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
 extern int cmd_commit_tree(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
 extern int cmd_config(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix);
diff --git a/builtin/branch.c b/builtin/branch.c
index f12b626a0ece67..d51648fee4e73e 100644
--- a/builtin/branch.c
+++ b/builtin/branch.c
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 #include "branch.h"
 #include "diff.h"
 #include "revision.h"
+#include "string-list.h"
+#include "column.h"
 
 static const char * const builtin_branch_usage[] = {
 	"git branch [options] [-r | -a] [--merged | --no-merged]",
@@ -53,6 +55,9 @@ static enum merge_filter {
 } merge_filter;
 static unsigned char merge_filter_ref[20];
 
+static struct string_list output = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
+static unsigned int colopts;
+
 static int parse_branch_color_slot(const char *var, int ofs)
 {
 	if (!strcasecmp(var+ofs, "plain"))
@@ -70,6 +75,8 @@ static int parse_branch_color_slot(const char *var, int ofs)
 
 static int git_branch_config(const char *var, const char *value, void *cb)
 {
+	if (!prefixcmp(var, "column."))
+		return git_column_config(var, value, "branch", &colopts);
 	if (!strcmp(var, "color.branch")) {
 		branch_use_color = git_config_colorbool(var, value);
 		return 0;
@@ -482,7 +489,12 @@ static void print_ref_item(struct ref_item *item, int maxwidth, int verbose,
 	else if (verbose)
 		/* " f7c0c00 [ahead 58, behind 197] vcs-svn: drop obj_pool.h" */
 		add_verbose_info(&out, item, verbose, abbrev);
-	printf("%s\n", out.buf);
+	if (column_active(colopts)) {
+		assert(!verbose && "--column and --verbose are incompatible");
+		string_list_append(&output, out.buf);
+	} else {
+		printf("%s\n", out.buf);
+	}
 	strbuf_release(&name);
 	strbuf_release(&out);
 }
@@ -741,6 +753,7 @@ int cmd_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			PARSE_OPT_LASTARG_DEFAULT | PARSE_OPT_NONEG,
 			opt_parse_merge_filter, (intptr_t) "HEAD",
 		},
+		OPT_COLUMN(0, "column", &colopts, "list branches in columns"),
 		OPT_END(),
 	};
 
@@ -763,6 +776,7 @@ int cmd_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	}
 	hashcpy(merge_filter_ref, head_sha1);
 
+
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, builtin_branch_usage,
 			     0);
 
@@ -774,12 +788,22 @@ int cmd_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (abbrev == -1)
 		abbrev = DEFAULT_ABBREV;
+	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
+	if (verbose) {
+		if (explicitly_enable_column(colopts))
+			die(_("--column and --verbose are incompatible"));
+		colopts = 0;
+	}
 
 	if (delete)
 		return delete_branches(argc, argv, delete > 1, kinds, quiet);
-	else if (list)
-		return print_ref_list(kinds, detached, verbose, abbrev,
-				      with_commit, argv);
+	else if (list) {
+		int ret = print_ref_list(kinds, detached, verbose, abbrev,
+					 with_commit, argv);
+		print_columns(&output, colopts, NULL);
+		string_list_clear(&output, 0);
+		return ret;
+	}
 	else if (edit_description) {
 		const char *branch_name;
 		struct strbuf branch_ref = STRBUF_INIT;
diff --git a/builtin/column.c b/builtin/column.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..5ea798a7ca6a3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/builtin/column.c
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+#include "builtin.h"
+#include "cache.h"
+#include "strbuf.h"
+#include "parse-options.h"
+#include "string-list.h"
+#include "column.h"
+
+static const char * const builtin_column_usage[] = {
+	"git column [options]",
+	NULL
+};
+static unsigned int colopts;
+
+static int column_config(const char *var, const char *value, void *cb)
+{
+	return git_column_config(var, value, cb, &colopts);
+}
+
+int cmd_column(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
+{
+	struct string_list list = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
+	struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
+	struct column_options copts;
+	const char *command = NULL, *real_command = NULL;
+	struct option options[] = {
+		OPT_STRING(0, "command", &real_command, "name", "lookup config vars"),
+		OPT_COLUMN(0, "mode", &colopts, "layout to use"),
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "raw-mode", &colopts, "layout to use"),
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "width", &copts.width, "Maximum width"),
+		OPT_STRING(0, "indent", &copts.indent, "string", "Padding space on left border"),
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "nl", &copts.nl, "Padding space on right border"),
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "padding", &copts.padding, "Padding space between columns"),
+		OPT_END()
+	};
+
+	/* This one is special and must be the first one */
+	if (argc > 1 && !prefixcmp(argv[1], "--command=")) {
+		command = argv[1] + 10;
+		git_config(column_config, (void *)command);
+	} else
+		git_config(column_config, NULL);
+
+	memset(&copts, 0, sizeof(copts));
+	copts.width = term_columns();
+	copts.padding = 1;
+	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, "", options, builtin_column_usage, 0);
+	if (argc)
+		usage_with_options(builtin_column_usage, options);
+	if (real_command || command) {
+		if (!real_command || !command || strcmp(real_command, command))
+			die(_("--command must be the first argument"));
+	}
+	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
+	while (!strbuf_getline(&sb, stdin, '\n'))
+		string_list_append(&list, sb.buf);
+
+	print_columns(&list, colopts, &copts);
+	return 0;
+}
diff --git a/builtin/commit.c b/builtin/commit.c
index 01780293aa6afc..a876a73e6b4c1f 100644
--- a/builtin/commit.c
+++ b/builtin/commit.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include "quote.h"
 #include "submodule.h"
 #include "gpg-interface.h"
+#include "column.h"
 
 static const char * const builtin_commit_usage[] = {
 	"git commit [options] [--] <filepattern>...",
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ static int quiet, verbose, no_verify, allow_empty, dry_run, renew_authorship;
 static int no_post_rewrite, allow_empty_message;
 static char *untracked_files_arg, *force_date, *ignore_submodule_arg;
 static char *sign_commit;
+static unsigned int colopts;
 
 /*
  * The default commit message cleanup mode will remove the lines
@@ -1173,6 +1175,8 @@ static int git_status_config(const char *k, const char *v, void *cb)
 {
 	struct wt_status *s = cb;
 
+	if (!prefixcmp(k, "column."))
+		return git_column_config(k, v, "status", &colopts);
 	if (!strcmp(k, "status.submodulesummary")) {
 		int is_bool;
 		s->submodule_summary = git_config_bool_or_int(k, v, &is_bool);
@@ -1238,6 +1242,7 @@ int cmd_status(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		{ OPTION_STRING, 0, "ignore-submodules", &ignore_submodule_arg, "when",
 		  "ignore changes to submodules, optional when: all, dirty, untracked. (Default: all)",
 		  PARSE_OPT_OPTARG, NULL, (intptr_t)"all" },
+		OPT_COLUMN(0, "column", &colopts, "list untracked files in columns"),
 		OPT_END(),
 	};
 
@@ -1251,6 +1256,8 @@ int cmd_status(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_status_options,
 			     builtin_status_usage, 0);
+	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
+	s.colopts = colopts;
 
 	if (null_termination && status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_LONG)
 		status_format = STATUS_FORMAT_PORCELAIN;
diff --git a/builtin/help.c b/builtin/help.c
index e63668ade4dd07..43d3c84449a57e 100644
--- a/builtin/help.c
+++ b/builtin/help.c
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include "common-cmds.h"
 #include "parse-options.h"
 #include "run-command.h"
+#include "column.h"
 #include "help.h"
 
 static struct man_viewer_list {
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ enum help_format {
 };
 
 static int show_all = 0;
+static unsigned int colopts;
 static enum help_format help_format = HELP_FORMAT_NONE;
 static struct option builtin_help_options[] = {
 	OPT_BOOLEAN('a', "all", &show_all, "print all available commands"),
@@ -251,6 +253,8 @@ static int add_man_viewer_info(const char *var, const char *value)
 
 static int git_help_config(const char *var, const char *value, void *cb)
 {
+	if (!prefixcmp(var, "column."))
+		return git_column_config(var, value, "help", &colopts);
 	if (!strcmp(var, "help.format")) {
 		if (!value)
 			return config_error_nonbool(var);
@@ -424,8 +428,9 @@ int cmd_help(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	parsed_help_format = help_format;
 
 	if (show_all) {
+		git_config(git_help_config, NULL);
 		printf(_("usage: %s%s"), _(git_usage_string), "\n\n");
-		list_commands(&main_cmds, &other_cmds);
+		list_commands(colopts, &main_cmds, &other_cmds);
 		printf("%s\n", _(git_more_info_string));
 		return 0;
 	}
diff --git a/builtin/tag.c b/builtin/tag.c
index fe7e5e5b3d64dc..4fb6bd7b3dd39d 100644
--- a/builtin/tag.c
+++ b/builtin/tag.c
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include "revision.h"
 #include "gpg-interface.h"
 #include "sha1-array.h"
+#include "column.h"
 
 static const char * const git_tag_usage[] = {
 	"git tag [-a|-s|-u <key-id>] [-f] [-m <msg>|-F <file>] <tagname> [<head>]",
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ struct tag_filter {
 };
 
 static struct sha1_array points_at;
+static unsigned int colopts;
 
 static int match_pattern(const char **patterns, const char *ref)
 {
@@ -263,6 +265,8 @@ static int git_tag_config(const char *var, const char *value, void *cb)
 	int status = git_gpg_config(var, value, cb);
 	if (status)
 		return status;
+	if (!prefixcmp(var, "column."))
+		return git_column_config(var, value, "tag", &colopts);
 	return git_default_config(var, value, cb);
 }
 
@@ -459,6 +463,7 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		OPT_STRING('u', "local-user", &keyid, "key-id",
 					"use another key to sign the tag"),
 		OPT__FORCE(&force, "replace the tag if exists"),
+		OPT_COLUMN(0, "column", &colopts, "show tag list in columns"),
 
 		OPT_GROUP("Tag listing options"),
 		{
@@ -495,9 +500,25 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (list + delete + verify > 1)
 		usage_with_options(git_tag_usage, options);
-	if (list)
-		return list_tags(argv, lines == -1 ? 0 : lines,
-				 with_commit);
+	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
+	if (list && lines != -1) {
+		if (explicitly_enable_column(colopts))
+			die(_("--column and -n are incompatible"));
+		colopts = 0;
+	}
+	if (list) {
+		int ret;
+		if (column_active(colopts)) {
+			struct column_options copts;
+			memset(&copts, 0, sizeof(copts));
+			copts.padding = 2;
+			run_column_filter(colopts, &copts);
+		}
+		ret = list_tags(argv, lines == -1 ? 0 : lines, with_commit);
+		if (column_active(colopts))
+			stop_column_filter();
+		return ret;
+	}
 	if (lines != -1)
 		die(_("-n option is only allowed with -l."));
 	if (with_commit)
diff --git a/column.c b/column.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..9367ba5db589e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/column.c
@@ -0,0 +1,434 @@
+#include "cache.h"
+#include "column.h"
+#include "string-list.h"
+#include "parse-options.h"
+#include "run-command.h"
+#include "utf8.h"
+
+#define XY2LINEAR(d, x, y) (COL_LAYOUT((d)->colopts) == COL_COLUMN ? \
+			    (x) * (d)->rows + (y) : \
+			    (y) * (d)->cols + (x))
+
+struct column_data {
+	const struct string_list *list;
+	unsigned int colopts;
+	struct column_options opts;
+
+	int rows, cols;
+	int *len;		/* cell length */
+	int *width;	      /* index to the longest row in column */
+};
+
+/* return length of 's' in letters, ANSI escapes stripped */
+static int item_length(unsigned int colopts, const char *s)
+{
+	int len, i = 0;
+	struct strbuf str = STRBUF_INIT;
+
+	strbuf_addstr(&str, s);
+	while ((s = strstr(str.buf + i, "\033[")) != NULL) {
+		int len = strspn(s + 2, "0123456789;");
+		i = s - str.buf;
+		strbuf_remove(&str, i, len + 3); /* \033[<len><func char> */
+	}
+	len = utf8_strwidth(str.buf);
+	strbuf_release(&str);
+	return len;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Calculate cell width, rows and cols for a table of equal cells, given
+ * table width and how many spaces between cells.
+ */
+static void layout(struct column_data *data, int *width)
+{
+	int i;
+
+	*width = 0;
+	for (i = 0; i < data->list->nr; i++)
+		if (*width < data->len[i])
+			*width = data->len[i];
+
+	*width += data->opts.padding;
+
+	data->cols = (data->opts.width - strlen(data->opts.indent)) / *width;
+	if (data->cols == 0)
+		data->cols = 1;
+
+	data->rows = DIV_ROUND_UP(data->list->nr, data->cols);
+}
+
+static void compute_column_width(struct column_data *data)
+{
+	int i, x, y;
+	for (x = 0; x < data->cols; x++) {
+		data->width[x] = XY2LINEAR(data, x, 0);
+		for (y = 0; y < data->rows; y++) {
+			i = XY2LINEAR(data, x, y);
+			if (i < data->list->nr &&
+			    data->len[data->width[x]] < data->len[i])
+				data->width[x] = i;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+/*
+ * Shrink all columns by shortening them one row each time (and adding
+ * more columns along the way). Hopefully the longest cell will be
+ * moved to the next column, column is shrunk so we have more space
+ * for new columns. The process ends when the whole thing no longer
+ * fits in data->total_width.
+ */
+static void shrink_columns(struct column_data *data)
+{
+	data->width = xrealloc(data->width,
+			       sizeof(*data->width) * data->cols);
+	while (data->rows > 1) {
+		int x, total_width, cols, rows;
+		rows = data->rows;
+		cols = data->cols;
+
+		data->rows--;
+		data->cols = DIV_ROUND_UP(data->list->nr, data->rows);
+		if (data->cols != cols)
+			data->width = xrealloc(data->width,
+					       sizeof(*data->width) * data->cols);
+		compute_column_width(data);
+
+		total_width = strlen(data->opts.indent);
+		for (x = 0; x < data->cols; x++) {
+			total_width += data->len[data->width[x]];
+			total_width += data->opts.padding;
+		}
+		if (total_width > data->opts.width) {
+			data->rows = rows;
+			data->cols = cols;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	compute_column_width(data);
+}
+
+/* Display without layout when not enabled */
+static void display_plain(const struct string_list *list,
+			  const char *indent, const char *nl)
+{
+	int i;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < list->nr; i++)
+		printf("%s%s%s", indent, list->items[i].string, nl);
+}
+
+/* Print a cell to stdout with all necessary leading/traling space */
+static int display_cell(struct column_data *data, int initial_width,
+			const char *empty_cell, int x, int y)
+{
+	int i, len, newline;
+
+	i = XY2LINEAR(data, x, y);
+	if (i >= data->list->nr)
+		return -1;
+
+	len = data->len[i];
+	if (data->width && data->len[data->width[x]] < initial_width) {
+		/*
+		 * empty_cell has initial_width chars, if real column
+		 * is narrower, increase len a bit so we fill less
+		 * space.
+		 */
+		len += initial_width - data->len[data->width[x]];
+		len -= data->opts.padding;
+	}
+
+	if (COL_LAYOUT(data->colopts) == COL_COLUMN)
+		newline = i + data->rows >= data->list->nr;
+	else
+		newline = x == data->cols - 1 || i == data->list->nr - 1;
+
+	printf("%s%s%s",
+	       x == 0 ? data->opts.indent : "",
+	       data->list->items[i].string,
+	       newline ? data->opts.nl : empty_cell + len);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/* Display COL_COLUMN or COL_ROW */
+static void display_table(const struct string_list *list,
+			  unsigned int colopts,
+			  const struct column_options *opts)
+{
+	struct column_data data;
+	int x, y, i, initial_width;
+	char *empty_cell;
+
+	memset(&data, 0, sizeof(data));
+	data.list = list;
+	data.colopts = colopts;
+	data.opts = *opts;
+
+	data.len = xmalloc(sizeof(*data.len) * list->nr);
+	for (i = 0; i < list->nr; i++)
+		data.len[i] = item_length(colopts, list->items[i].string);
+
+	layout(&data, &initial_width);
+
+	if (colopts & COL_DENSE)
+		shrink_columns(&data);
+
+	empty_cell = xmalloc(initial_width + 1);
+	memset(empty_cell, ' ', initial_width);
+	empty_cell[initial_width] = '\0';
+	for (y = 0; y < data.rows; y++) {
+		for (x = 0; x < data.cols; x++)
+			if (display_cell(&data, initial_width, empty_cell, x, y))
+				break;
+	}
+
+	free(data.len);
+	free(data.width);
+	free(empty_cell);
+}
+
+void print_columns(const struct string_list *list, unsigned int colopts,
+		   const struct column_options *opts)
+{
+	struct column_options nopts;
+
+	if (!list->nr)
+		return;
+	assert((colopts & COL_ENABLE_MASK) != COL_AUTO);
+
+	memset(&nopts, 0, sizeof(nopts));
+	nopts.indent = opts && opts->indent ? opts->indent : "";
+	nopts.nl = opts && opts->nl ? opts->nl : "\n";
+	nopts.padding = opts ? opts->padding : 1;
+	nopts.width = opts && opts->width ? opts->width : term_columns() - 1;
+	if (!column_active(colopts)) {
+		display_plain(list, "", "\n");
+		return;
+	}
+	switch (COL_LAYOUT(colopts)) {
+	case COL_PLAIN:
+		display_plain(list, nopts.indent, nopts.nl);
+		break;
+	case COL_ROW:
+	case COL_COLUMN:
+		display_table(list, colopts, &nopts);
+		break;
+	default:
+		die("BUG: invalid layout mode %d", COL_LAYOUT(colopts));
+	}
+}
+
+int finalize_colopts(unsigned int *colopts, int stdout_is_tty)
+{
+	if ((*colopts & COL_ENABLE_MASK) == COL_AUTO) {
+		if (stdout_is_tty < 0)
+			stdout_is_tty = isatty(1);
+		*colopts &= ~COL_ENABLE_MASK;
+		if (stdout_is_tty)
+			*colopts |= COL_ENABLED;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+struct colopt {
+	const char *name;
+	unsigned int value;
+	unsigned int mask;
+};
+
+#define LAYOUT_SET 1
+#define ENABLE_SET 2
+
+static int parse_option(const char *arg, int len, unsigned int *colopts,
+			int *group_set)
+{
+	struct colopt opts[] = {
+		{ "always", COL_ENABLED,  COL_ENABLE_MASK },
+		{ "never",  COL_DISABLED, COL_ENABLE_MASK },
+		{ "auto",   COL_AUTO,     COL_ENABLE_MASK },
+		{ "plain",  COL_PLAIN,    COL_LAYOUT_MASK },
+		{ "column", COL_COLUMN,   COL_LAYOUT_MASK },
+		{ "row",    COL_ROW,      COL_LAYOUT_MASK },
+		{ "dense",  COL_DENSE,    0 },
+	};
+	int i;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(opts); i++) {
+		int set = 1, arg_len = len, name_len;
+		const char *arg_str = arg;
+
+		if (!opts[i].mask) {
+			if (arg_len > 2 && !strncmp(arg_str, "no", 2)) {
+				arg_str += 2;
+				arg_len -= 2;
+				set = 0;
+			}
+		}
+
+		name_len = strlen(opts[i].name);
+		if (arg_len != name_len ||
+		    strncmp(arg_str, opts[i].name, name_len))
+			continue;
+
+		switch (opts[i].mask) {
+		case COL_ENABLE_MASK:
+			*group_set |= ENABLE_SET;
+			break;
+		case COL_LAYOUT_MASK:
+			*group_set |= LAYOUT_SET;
+			break;
+		}
+
+		if (opts[i].mask)
+			*colopts = (*colopts & ~opts[i].mask) | opts[i].value;
+		else {
+			if (set)
+				*colopts |= opts[i].value;
+			else
+				*colopts &= ~opts[i].value;
+		}
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	return error("unsupported option '%s'", arg);
+}
+
+static int parse_config(unsigned int *colopts, const char *value)
+{
+	const char *sep = " ,";
+	int group_set = 0;
+
+	while (*value) {
+		int len = strcspn(value, sep);
+		if (len) {
+			if (parse_option(value, len, colopts, &group_set))
+				return -1;
+
+			value += len;
+		}
+		value += strspn(value, sep);
+	}
+	/*
+	 * Setting layout implies "always" if neither always, never
+	 * nor auto is specified.
+	 *
+	 * Current value in COL_ENABLE_MASK is disregarded. This means if
+	 * you set column.ui = auto and pass --column=row, then "auto"
+	 * will become "always".
+	 */
+	if ((group_set & LAYOUT_SET) && !(group_set & ENABLE_SET))
+		*colopts = (*colopts & ~COL_ENABLE_MASK) | COL_ENABLED;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int column_config(const char *var, const char *value,
+			 const char *key, unsigned int *colopts)
+{
+	if (!value)
+		return config_error_nonbool(var);
+	if (parse_config(colopts, value))
+		return error("invalid column.%s mode %s", key, value);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int git_column_config(const char *var, const char *value,
+		      const char *command, unsigned int *colopts)
+{
+	const char *it = skip_prefix(var, "column.");
+	if (!it)
+		return 0;
+
+	if (!strcmp(it, "ui"))
+		return column_config(var, value, "ui", colopts);
+
+	if (command && !strcmp(it, command))
+		return column_config(var, value, it, colopts);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int parseopt_column_callback(const struct option *opt,
+			     const char *arg, int unset)
+{
+	unsigned int *colopts = opt->value;
+	*colopts |= COL_PARSEOPT;
+	*colopts &= ~COL_ENABLE_MASK;
+	if (unset)		/* --no-column == never */
+		return 0;
+	/* --column == always unless "arg" states otherwise */
+	*colopts |= COL_ENABLED;
+	if (arg)
+		return parse_config(colopts, arg);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int fd_out = -1;
+static struct child_process column_process;
+
+int run_column_filter(int colopts, const struct column_options *opts)
+{
+	const char *av[10];
+	int ret, ac = 0;
+	struct strbuf sb_colopt  = STRBUF_INIT;
+	struct strbuf sb_width   = STRBUF_INIT;
+	struct strbuf sb_padding = STRBUF_INIT;
+
+	if (fd_out != -1)
+		return -1;
+
+	av[ac++] = "column";
+	strbuf_addf(&sb_colopt, "--raw-mode=%d", colopts);
+	av[ac++] = sb_colopt.buf;
+	if (opts && opts->width) {
+		strbuf_addf(&sb_width, "--width=%d", opts->width);
+		av[ac++] = sb_width.buf;
+	}
+	if (opts && opts->indent) {
+		av[ac++] = "--indent";
+		av[ac++] = opts->indent;
+	}
+	if (opts && opts->padding) {
+		strbuf_addf(&sb_padding, "--padding=%d", opts->padding);
+		av[ac++] = sb_padding.buf;
+	}
+	av[ac] = NULL;
+
+	fflush(stdout);
+	memset(&column_process, 0, sizeof(column_process));
+	column_process.in = -1;
+	column_process.out = dup(1);
+	column_process.git_cmd = 1;
+	column_process.argv = av;
+
+	ret = start_command(&column_process);
+
+	strbuf_release(&sb_colopt);
+	strbuf_release(&sb_width);
+	strbuf_release(&sb_padding);
+
+	if (ret)
+		return -2;
+
+	fd_out = dup(1);
+	close(1);
+	dup2(column_process.in, 1);
+	close(column_process.in);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int stop_column_filter(void)
+{
+	if (fd_out == -1)
+		return -1;
+
+	fflush(stdout);
+	close(1);
+	finish_command(&column_process);
+	dup2(fd_out, 1);
+	close(fd_out);
+	fd_out = -1;
+	return 0;
+}
diff --git a/column.h b/column.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..0a61917fa75484
--- /dev/null
+++ b/column.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+#ifndef COLUMN_H
+#define COLUMN_H
+
+#define COL_LAYOUT_MASK   0x000F
+#define COL_ENABLE_MASK   0x0030   /* always, never or auto */
+#define COL_PARSEOPT      0x0040   /* --column is given from cmdline */
+#define COL_DENSE         0x0080   /* Shrink columns when possible,
+				      making space for more columns */
+
+#define COL_DISABLED      0x0000   /* must be zero */
+#define COL_ENABLED       0x0010
+#define COL_AUTO          0x0020
+
+#define COL_LAYOUT(c) ((c) & COL_LAYOUT_MASK)
+#define COL_COLUMN             0   /* Fill columns before rows */
+#define COL_ROW                1   /* Fill rows before columns */
+#define COL_PLAIN             15   /* one column */
+
+#define explicitly_enable_column(c) \
+	(((c) & COL_PARSEOPT) && column_active(c))
+
+struct column_options {
+	int width;
+	int padding;
+	const char *indent;
+	const char *nl;
+};
+
+struct option;
+extern int parseopt_column_callback(const struct option *, const char *, int);
+extern int git_column_config(const char *var, const char *value,
+			     const char *command, unsigned int *colopts);
+extern int finalize_colopts(unsigned int *colopts, int stdout_is_tty);
+static inline int column_active(unsigned int colopts)
+{
+	return (colopts & COL_ENABLE_MASK) == COL_ENABLED;
+}
+
+extern void print_columns(const struct string_list *list, unsigned int colopts,
+			  const struct column_options *opts);
+
+extern int run_column_filter(int colopts, const struct column_options *);
+extern int stop_column_filter(void);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/command-list.txt b/command-list.txt
index 38ec5f7b8617ad..14ea67af038fbf 100644
--- a/command-list.txt
+++ b/command-list.txt
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ git-cherry-pick                         mainporcelain
 git-citool                              mainporcelain
 git-clean                               mainporcelain
 git-clone                               mainporcelain common
+git-column                              purehelpers
 git-commit                              mainporcelain common
 git-commit-tree                         plumbingmanipulators
 git-config                              ancillarymanipulators
diff --git a/git.c b/git.c
index 4486debf7dfb2d..d232de92e496bd 100644
--- a/git.c
+++ b/git.c
@@ -348,6 +348,7 @@ static void handle_internal_command(int argc, const char **argv)
 		{ "cherry-pick", cmd_cherry_pick, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
 		{ "clean", cmd_clean, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
 		{ "clone", cmd_clone },
+		{ "column", cmd_column, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
 		{ "commit", cmd_commit, RUN_SETUP | NEED_WORK_TREE },
 		{ "commit-tree", cmd_commit_tree, RUN_SETUP },
 		{ "config", cmd_config, RUN_SETUP_GENTLY },
diff --git a/help.c b/help.c
index a39b7bf8971e3e..69d483d8d3b7e1 100644
--- a/help.c
+++ b/help.c
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #include "levenshtein.h"
 #include "help.h"
 #include "common-cmds.h"
+#include "string-list.h"
+#include "column.h"
 
 void add_cmdname(struct cmdnames *cmds, const char *name, int len)
 {
@@ -70,31 +72,25 @@ void exclude_cmds(struct cmdnames *cmds, struct cmdnames *excludes)
 	cmds->cnt = cj;
 }
 
-static void pretty_print_string_list(struct cmdnames *cmds, int longest)
+static void pretty_print_string_list(struct cmdnames *cmds,
+				     unsigned int colopts)
 {
-	int cols = 1, rows;
-	int space = longest + 1; /* min 1 SP between words */
-	int max_cols = term_columns() - 1; /* don't print *on* the edge */
-	int i, j;
-
-	if (space < max_cols)
-		cols = max_cols / space;
-	rows = DIV_ROUND_UP(cmds->cnt, cols);
-
-	for (i = 0; i < rows; i++) {
-		printf("  ");
+	struct string_list list = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
+	struct column_options copts;
+	int i;
 
-		for (j = 0; j < cols; j++) {
-			int n = j * rows + i;
-			int size = space;
-			if (n >= cmds->cnt)
-				break;
-			if (j == cols-1 || n + rows >= cmds->cnt)
-				size = 1;
-			printf("%-*s", size, cmds->names[n]->name);
-		}
-		putchar('\n');
-	}
+	for (i = 0; i < cmds->cnt; i++)
+		string_list_append(&list, cmds->names[i]->name);
+	/*
+	 * always enable column display, we only consult column.*
+	 * about layout strategy and stuff
+	 */
+	colopts = (colopts & ~COL_ENABLE_MASK) | COL_ENABLED;
+	memset(&copts, 0, sizeof(copts));
+	copts.indent = "  ";
+	copts.padding = 2;
+	print_columns(&list, colopts, &copts);
+	string_list_clear(&list, 0);
 }
 
 static int is_executable(const char *name)
@@ -203,29 +199,21 @@ void load_command_list(const char *prefix,
 	exclude_cmds(other_cmds, main_cmds);
 }
 
-void list_commands(struct cmdnames *main_cmds, struct cmdnames *other_cmds)
+void list_commands(unsigned int colopts,
+		   struct cmdnames *main_cmds, struct cmdnames *other_cmds)
 {
-	int i, longest = 0;
-
-	for (i = 0; i < main_cmds->cnt; i++)
-		if (longest < main_cmds->names[i]->len)
-			longest = main_cmds->names[i]->len;
-	for (i = 0; i < other_cmds->cnt; i++)
-		if (longest < other_cmds->names[i]->len)
-			longest = other_cmds->names[i]->len;
-
 	if (main_cmds->cnt) {
 		const char *exec_path = git_exec_path();
 		printf_ln(_("available git commands in '%s'"), exec_path);
 		putchar('\n');
-		pretty_print_string_list(main_cmds, longest);
+		pretty_print_string_list(main_cmds, colopts);
 		putchar('\n');
 	}
 
 	if (other_cmds->cnt) {
 		printf_ln(_("git commands available from elsewhere on your $PATH"));
 		putchar('\n');
-		pretty_print_string_list(other_cmds, longest);
+		pretty_print_string_list(other_cmds, colopts);
 		putchar('\n');
 	}
 }
diff --git a/help.h b/help.h
index dc406c8c50ad2c..0ae5a124a3af99 100644
--- a/help.h
+++ b/help.h
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ extern void add_cmdname(struct cmdnames *cmds, const char *name, int len);
 /* Here we require that excludes is a sorted list. */
 extern void exclude_cmds(struct cmdnames *cmds, struct cmdnames *excludes);
 extern int is_in_cmdlist(struct cmdnames *cmds, const char *name);
-extern void list_commands(struct cmdnames *main_cmds,
-			  struct cmdnames *other_cmds);
+extern void list_commands(unsigned int colopts, struct cmdnames *main_cmds, struct cmdnames *other_cmds);
 
 #endif /* HELP_H */
diff --git a/pager.c b/pager.c
index 05584dead6728c..4dcb08d9674c25 100644
--- a/pager.c
+++ b/pager.c
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ void setup_pager(void)
 {
 	const char *pager = git_pager(isatty(1));
 
-	if (!pager)
+	if (!pager || pager_in_use())
 		return;
 
 	/*
diff --git a/parse-options.h b/parse-options.h
index def9ced739b675..da999f8995ee79 100644
--- a/parse-options.h
+++ b/parse-options.h
@@ -234,5 +234,7 @@ extern int parse_opt_noop_cb(const struct option *, const char *, int);
 	  PARSE_OPT_OPTARG, &parse_opt_abbrev_cb, 0 }
 #define OPT__COLOR(var, h) \
 	OPT_COLOR_FLAG(0, "color", (var), (h))
+#define OPT_COLUMN(s, l, v, h) \
+	{ OPTION_CALLBACK, (s), (l), (v), "style", (h), PARSE_OPT_OPTARG, parseopt_column_callback }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/t/t3200-branch.sh b/t/t3200-branch.sh
index 9fe1d8feab419e..a17f8b2a407c2d 100755
--- a/t/t3200-branch.sh
+++ b/t/t3200-branch.sh
@@ -160,6 +160,83 @@ test_expect_success 'git branch --list -d t should fail' '
 	test_path_is_missing .git/refs/heads/t
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'git branch --column' '
+	COLUMNS=81 git branch --column=column >actual &&
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+  a/b/c     bam       foo       l       * master    n         o/p       r
+  abc       bar       j/k       m/m       master2   o/o       q
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'git branch --column with an extremely long branch name' '
+	long=this/is/a/part/of/long/branch/name &&
+	long=z$long/$long/$long/$long &&
+	test_when_finished "git branch -d $long" &&
+	git branch $long &&
+	COLUMNS=80 git branch --column=column >actual &&
+	cat >expected <<EOF &&
+  a/b/c
+  abc
+  bam
+  bar
+  foo
+  j/k
+  l
+  m/m
+* master
+  master2
+  n
+  o/o
+  o/p
+  q
+  r
+  $long
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'git branch with column.*' '
+	git config column.ui column &&
+	git config column.branch "dense" &&
+	COLUMNS=80 git branch >actual &&
+	git config --unset column.branch &&
+	git config --unset column.ui &&
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+  a/b/c   bam   foo   l   * master    n     o/p   r
+  abc     bar   j/k   m/m   master2   o/o   q
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'git branch --column -v should fail' '
+	test_must_fail git branch --column -v
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'git branch -v with column.ui ignored' '
+	git config column.ui column &&
+	COLUMNS=80 git branch -v | cut -c -10 | sed "s/ *$//" >actual &&
+	git config --unset column.ui &&
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+  a/b/c
+  abc
+  bam
+  bar
+  foo
+  j/k
+  l
+  m/m
+* master
+  master2
+  n
+  o/o
+  o/p
+  q
+  r
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
 mv .git/config .git/config-saved
 
 test_expect_success 'git branch -m q q2 without config should succeed' '
diff --git a/t/t7004-tag.sh b/t/t7004-tag.sh
index f8c247a7500d72..51894465347722 100755
--- a/t/t7004-tag.sh
+++ b/t/t7004-tag.sh
@@ -263,6 +263,50 @@ test_expect_success 'tag -l can accept multiple patterns' '
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'listing tags in column' '
+	COLUMNS=40 git tag -l --column=row >actual &&
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+a1      aa1     cba     t210    t211
+v0.2.1  v1.0    v1.0.1  v1.1.3
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'listing tags in column with column.*' '
+	git config column.tag row &&
+	git config column.ui dense &&
+	COLUMNS=40 git tag -l >actual &&
+	git config --unset column.ui &&
+	git config --unset column.tag &&
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+a1      aa1   cba     t210    t211
+v0.2.1  v1.0  v1.0.1  v1.1.3
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'listing tag with -n --column should fail' '
+	test_must_fail git tag --column -n
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'listing tags -n in column with column.ui ignored' '
+	git config column.ui "row dense" &&
+	COLUMNS=40 git tag -l -n >actual &&
+	git config --unset column.ui &&
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+a1              Foo
+aa1             Foo
+cba             Foo
+t210            Foo
+t211            Foo
+v0.2.1          Foo
+v1.0            Foo
+v1.0.1          Foo
+v1.1.3          Foo
+EOF
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
 # creating and verifying lightweight tags:
 
 test_expect_success \
diff --git a/t/t7508-status.sh b/t/t7508-status.sh
index fc57b135c50e34..8f5cfac33158f9 100755
--- a/t/t7508-status.sh
+++ b/t/t7508-status.sh
@@ -59,6 +59,30 @@ test_expect_success 'status (1)' '
 	test_i18ngrep "use \"git rm --cached <file>\.\.\.\" to unstage" output
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'status --column' '
+	COLUMNS=50 git status --column="column dense" >output &&
+	cat >expect <<\EOF &&
+# On branch master
+# Changes to be committed:
+#   (use "git reset HEAD <file>..." to unstage)
+#
+#	new file:   dir2/added
+#
+# Changes not staged for commit:
+#   (use "git add <file>..." to update what will be committed)
+#   (use "git checkout -- <file>..." to discard changes in working directory)
+#
+#	modified:   dir1/modified
+#
+# Untracked files:
+#   (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
+#
+#	dir1/untracked dir2/untracked untracked
+#	dir2/modified  output
+EOF
+	test_cmp expect output
+'
+
 cat >expect <<\EOF
 # On branch master
 # Changes to be committed:
diff --git a/t/t9002-column.sh b/t/t9002-column.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000000000..89983527b62f1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/t/t9002-column.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+test_description='git column'
+. ./test-lib.sh
+
+test_expect_success 'setup' '
+	cat >lista <<\EOF
+one
+two
+three
+four
+five
+six
+seven
+eight
+nine
+ten
+eleven
+EOF
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'never' '
+	git column --indent=Z --mode=never <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp lista actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'always' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+Zone
+Ztwo
+Zthree
+Zfour
+Zfive
+Zsix
+Zseven
+Zeight
+Znine
+Zten
+Zeleven
+EOF
+	git column --indent=Z --mode=plain <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '80 columns' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one    two    three  four   five   six    seven  eight  nine   ten    eleven
+EOF
+	COLUMNS=80 git column --mode=column <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+cat >expected <<\EOF
+one
+two
+three
+four
+five
+six
+seven
+eight
+nine
+ten
+eleven
+EOF
+
+test_expect_success COLUMNS_CAN_BE_1 'COLUMNS = 1' '
+	COLUMNS=1 git column --mode=column <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'width = 1' '
+	git column --mode=column --width=1 <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+COLUMNS=20
+export COLUMNS
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one    seven
+two    eight
+three  nine
+four   ten
+five   eleven
+six
+EOF
+	git column --mode=column <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, nodense' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one    seven
+two    eight
+three  nine
+four   ten
+five   eleven
+six
+EOF
+	git column --mode=column,nodense < lista > actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, dense' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one   five  nine
+two   six   ten
+three seven eleven
+four  eight
+EOF
+	git column --mode=column,dense < lista > actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, padding 2' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one     seven
+two     eight
+three   nine
+four    ten
+five    eleven
+six
+EOF
+	git column --mode=column --padding 2 <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, indented' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+  one    seven
+  two    eight
+  three  nine
+  four   ten
+  five   eleven
+  six
+EOF
+	git column --mode=column --indent="  " <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, row first' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one    two
+three  four
+five   six
+seven  eight
+nine   ten
+eleven
+EOF
+	git column --mode=row <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, row first, nodense' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one    two
+three  four
+five   six
+seven  eight
+nine   ten
+eleven
+EOF
+	git column --mode=row,nodense <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_expect_success '20 columns, row first, dense' '
+	cat >expected <<\EOF &&
+one   two    three
+four  five   six
+seven eight  nine
+ten   eleven
+EOF
+	git column --mode=row,dense <lista >actual &&
+	test_cmp expected actual
+'
+
+test_done
diff --git a/wt-status.c b/wt-status.c
index 9ffc535f1ab029..eeef17e7b6b1bb 100644
--- a/wt-status.c
+++ b/wt-status.c
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "remote.h"
 #include "refs.h"
 #include "submodule.h"
+#include "column.h"
 
 static char default_wt_status_colors[][COLOR_MAXLEN] = {
 	GIT_COLOR_NORMAL, /* WT_STATUS_HEADER */
@@ -641,6 +642,8 @@ static void wt_status_print_other(struct wt_status *s,
 {
 	int i;
 	struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
+	static struct string_list output = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
+	struct column_options copts;
 
 	if (!l->nr)
 		return;
@@ -649,12 +652,33 @@ static void wt_status_print_other(struct wt_status *s,
 
 	for (i = 0; i < l->nr; i++) {
 		struct string_list_item *it;
+		const char *path;
 		it = &(l->items[i]);
+		path = quote_path(it->string, strlen(it->string),
+				  &buf, s->prefix);
+		if (column_active(s->colopts)) {
+			string_list_append(&output, path);
+			continue;
+		}
 		status_printf(s, color(WT_STATUS_HEADER, s), "\t");
 		status_printf_more(s, color(WT_STATUS_UNTRACKED, s),
-			"%s\n", quote_path(it->string, strlen(it->string),
-					    &buf, s->prefix));
+				   "%s\n", path);
 	}
+
+	strbuf_release(&buf);
+	if (!column_active(s->colopts))
+		return;
+
+	strbuf_addf(&buf, "%s#\t%s",
+		    color(WT_STATUS_HEADER, s),
+		    color(WT_STATUS_UNTRACKED, s));
+	memset(&copts, 0, sizeof(copts));
+	copts.padding = 1;
+	copts.indent = buf.buf;
+	if (want_color(s->use_color))
+		copts.nl = GIT_COLOR_RESET "\n";
+	print_columns(&output, s->colopts, &copts);
+	string_list_clear(&output, 0);
 	strbuf_release(&buf);
 }
 
diff --git a/wt-status.h b/wt-status.h
index 682b4c8f7da2c5..6dd7207e25eb02 100644
--- a/wt-status.h
+++ b/wt-status.h
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ struct wt_status {
 	enum untracked_status_type show_untracked_files;
 	const char *ignore_submodule_arg;
 	char color_palette[WT_STATUS_MAXSLOT][COLOR_MAXLEN];
+	int colopts;
 
 	/* These are computed during processing of the individual sections */
 	int commitable;