Yes, vi can reformat a paragraph without using !child.

[Tony Olekshy]

The following macro binding, added to your .exrc, joins the current line with
the next line, moves to column 78, backs up to the previous word break, and
splits the line there, leaving the cursor on the next line.  Repeat the
keystroke until the paragraph is cleaned up.  Note that ^X is used to
indicate a real control-X, and you'll have to type some extra ^Vs to get the
control characters into your .exrc, and pick the key you want to map (F1 is
shown in this definition)...

			map #1 J78^V|EB^Hr^V^M

--
Yours, etc., Tony Olekshy (...!alberta!oha!tony or tony at oha.UUCP).