Hi, Is it possible to generate a description in the following format using program_options? It is a more compact format than the program_options default. It helps keep the left hand column's max length smaller, thus preventing some excess wrapping in the description column. Compact format: [-h/--help] display usage [-p/--purpose arg] model-selection or prediction [model-selection] -d/--drug arg HIV drug to be tested [-t/--thresholds arg] low and high thresholds for drug resistance Please use only one or two values. [10] Program Options Default: -h [ --help ] display usage -p [ --purpose ] arg (=model-selection) model-selection or prediction -d [ --drug ] arg HIV drug to be tested -t [ --thresholds ] arg Thresholds for high and low resistance . Please use only 1 thresholds. In the compact case, drug is a required option, but the others are optional. So, drug does not get brackets. Also, default arguments are placed brackets at the end of the descriptor. Such as, [10] for thresholds Thanks, Ed