Quickstart (require 'unicode-enbox) (insert "\n" (unicode-enbox "testing")) Explanation Unicode-enbox.el has no user-level interface; it is only useful for programming in Emacs Lisp. This library provides two functions: unicode-enbox unicode-enbox-debox which can be used to add/remove box-drawing characters around a single- or multi-line string. To use unicode-enbox, place the unicode-enbox.el library somewhere Emacs can find it, and add the following to your ~/.emacs file: (require 'unicode-enbox) See Also M-x customize-group RET unicode-enbox RET Notes For good monospaced box-drawing characters, it is recommended to install the free DejaVu Sans Mono font and use unicode-fonts.el. If unicode-fonts.el is too heavy for your needs, try adding the following bit to your ~/.emacs file: (set-fontset-font "fontset-default" (cons (decode-char 'ucs #x2500) (decode-char 'ucs #x257F)) '("DejaVu Sans Mono" . "iso10646-1")) Compatibility and Requirements GNU Emacs version 24.4-devel : yes, at the time of writing GNU Emacs version 24.3 : yes GNU Emacs version 23.3 : yes GNU Emacs version 22.3 and lower : no Requires string-utils.el, ucs-utils.el Bugs TODO Interactive command that works on rectangles. Logic in unicode-enbox is not clear, eg where it falls through to 'smart. Detect lines of full dashes, replace with box chars and connectors, then would need more clever deboxing - or just store the original string in a property - done? Detect acutal width of unicode characters in GUI - char-width does not return the right answer. Generalize to comment boxes with multi-character drawing elements. ; License Simplified BSD License: Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer. 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution. This software is provided by Roland Walker "AS IS" and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall Roland Walker or contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage. The views and conclusions contained in the software and documentation are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing official policies, either expressed or implied, of Roland Walker.