This template inserts (blank) space of length equal to a model string, with another string centred within that gap (normally a single "ditto-mark" symbol: i.e. "„".)

  • 1: model string (used only to establish gap size; no default.)
  • 2: Optional. Display string to be presented, centred within above gap. Default is .
  • 3 or align: Optional parameter to align the display string. Options are:
    • l or left
    • r or right
    • j or justify
    • c or center (default).
  • overflow: Optional parameter to direct how the display string should overflow the model string box. Options are:
    • h or hidden
    • v or visible (default).

Taken from page 43 of 'Palestine Exploration Fund':

<poem>
In January from 3 in 1881 to 19 in 1883 and 1888.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|January|February|l}} {{ditto|from}} 1 {{ditto|in}} 1870 {{ditto|to}} 18 {{ditto|in}} 1868 and 1884.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|January|March|l}} {{ditto|from}} 2 {{ditto|in}} 1892 {{ditto|to}} 20 {{ditto|in}} 1874.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|January|April|l}} {{ditto|from}} 1 {{ditto|in}} 1861 {{ditto|to}} 13 {{ditto|in}} 1868 and 1870.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|January|May|l}} {{ditto|from}} 0 {{ditto|in}} several years to 5 in 1867, 1886, and 1892.
{{ditto|In|}} September from none in several years to 2 in 1864 and 1878.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|September|October|l}} {{ditto|from}} {{ditto|none in several}} {{ditto|years}} {{ditto|to|}} 7 {{ditto|in}} 1863.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|September|November|l}} {{ditto|from}} 1 in several years to 13 in 1888.
{{ditto|In|}} {{ditto|September|December|l}} {{ditto|from}} 2 in 1884 to 17 in 1890.
</poem>

Renders as:

In January from 3 in 1881 to 19 in 1883 and 1888.
In JanuaryFebruary from 1 in 1870 to 18 in 1868 and 1884.
In JanuaryMarch from 2 in 1892 to 20 in 1874.
In JanuaryApril from 1 in 1861 to 13 in 1868 and 1870.
In JanuaryMay from 0 in several years to 5 in 1867, 1886, and 1892.
In September from none in several years to 2 in 1864 and 1878.
In SeptemberOctober from none in several years to 7 in 1863.
In SeptemberNovember from 1 in several years to 13 in 1888.
In SeptemberDecember from 2 in 1884 to 17 in 1890.

{{Ditto bar}} is used when the whole word should be substituted with a long horizontal line.

* Hirundo fluvicola
* {{ditto bar|Hirundo}} rustica

becomes

  • Hirundo fluvicola
  • Hirundo— — — rustica