diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/basename.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/basename.rs
index 0ddc8c825a..21a1901b8d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/basename.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/basename.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -9,13 +9,13 @@ use std::path::Path;
 pub struct PathBasename;
 
 struct PathBasenameArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
     replace: Option<Tagged<String>>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathBasenameArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -26,10 +26,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathBasename {
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
         Signature::build("path basename")
-            .rest(
-                "rest",
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+            .named(
+                "columns",
+                SyntaxShape::Table,
                 "Optionally operate by column path",
+                Some('c'),
             )
             .named(
                 "replace",
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathBasename {
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathBasenameArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
             replace: args.get_flag("replace")?,
         });
 
@@ -58,12 +59,17 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathBasename {
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Get basename of a path",
-                example: "echo 'C:\\Users\\joe\\test.txt' | path basename",
+                example: "'C:\\Users\\joe\\test.txt' | path basename",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from("test.txt")]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Get basename of a path in a column",
+                example: "ls .. | path basename -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Replace basename of a path",
-                example: "echo 'C:\\Users\\joe\\test.txt' | path basename -r 'spam.png'",
+                example: "'C:\\Users\\joe\\test.txt' | path basename -r 'spam.png'",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     "C:\\Users\\joe\\spam.png",
                 ))]),
@@ -76,12 +82,17 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathBasename {
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Get basename of a path",
-                example: "echo '/home/joe/test.txt' | path basename",
+                example: "'/home/joe/test.txt' | path basename",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from("test.txt")]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Get basename of a path in a column",
+                example: "ls .. | path basename -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Replace basename of a path",
-                example: "echo '/home/joe/test.txt' | path basename -r 'spam.png'",
+                example: "'/home/joe/test.txt' | path basename -r 'spam.png'",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     "/home/joe/spam.png",
                 ))]),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/dirname.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/dirname.rs
index 303599aa78..7e000629de 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/dirname.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/dirname.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ use std::path::Path;
 pub struct PathDirname;
 
 struct PathDirnameArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
     replace: Option<Tagged<String>>,
     num_levels: Option<Tagged<u32>>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathDirnameArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -27,10 +27,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathDirname {
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
         Signature::build("path dirname")
-            .rest(
-                "rest",
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+            .named(
+                "columns",
+                SyntaxShape::Table,
                 "Optionally operate by column path",
+                Some('c'),
             )
             .named(
                 "replace",
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathDirname {
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathDirnameArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
             replace: args.get_flag("replace")?,
             num_levels: args.get_flag("num-levels")?,
         });
@@ -66,20 +67,25 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathDirname {
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Get dirname of a path",
-                example: "echo 'C:\\Users\\joe\\code\\test.txt' | path dirname",
+                example: "'C:\\Users\\joe\\code\\test.txt' | path dirname",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     "C:\\Users\\joe\\code",
                 ))]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Get dirname of a path in a column",
+                example: "ls ('.' | path expand) | path dirname -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Walk up two levels",
-                example: "echo 'C:\\Users\\joe\\code\\test.txt' | path dirname -n 2",
+                example: "'C:\\Users\\joe\\code\\test.txt' | path dirname -n 2",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath("C:\\Users\\joe"))]),
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Replace the part that would be returned with a custom path",
                 example:
-                    "echo 'C:\\Users\\joe\\code\\test.txt' | path dirname -n 2 -r C:\\Users\\viking",
+                    "'C:\\Users\\joe\\code\\test.txt' | path dirname -n 2 -r C:\\Users\\viking",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     "C:\\Users\\viking\\code\\test.txt",
                 ))]),
@@ -92,17 +98,22 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathDirname {
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Get dirname of a path",
-                example: "echo '/home/joe/code/test.txt' | path dirname",
+                example: "'/home/joe/code/test.txt' | path dirname",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath("/home/joe/code"))]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Get dirname of a path in a column",
+                example: "ls ('.' | path expand) | path dirname -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Walk up two levels",
-                example: "echo '/home/joe/code/test.txt' | path dirname -n 2",
+                example: "'/home/joe/code/test.txt' | path dirname -n 2",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath("/home/joe"))]),
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Replace the part that would be returned with a custom path",
-                example: "echo '/home/joe/code/test.txt' | path dirname -n 2 -r /home/viking",
+                example: "'/home/joe/code/test.txt' | path dirname -n 2 -r /home/viking",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     "/home/viking/code/test.txt",
                 ))]),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/exists.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/exists.rs
index de4e9757b8..e88b3b6437 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/exists.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/exists.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ use std::path::Path;
 pub struct PathExists;
 
 struct PathExistsArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathExistsArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExists {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("path exists").rest(
-            "rest",
-            SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+        Signature::build("path exists").named(
+            "columns",
+            SyntaxShape::Table,
             "Optionally operate by column path",
+            Some('c'),
         )
     }
 
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExists {
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathExistsArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
         });
 
         Ok(operate(args.input, &action, tag.span, cmd_args))
@@ -45,20 +46,34 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExists {
 
     #[cfg(windows)]
     fn examples(&self) -> Vec<Example> {
-        vec![Example {
-            description: "Check if a file exists",
-            example: "echo 'C:\\Users\\joe\\todo.txt' | path exists",
-            result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::boolean(false))]),
-        }]
+        vec![
+            Example {
+                description: "Check if a file exists",
+                example: "'C:\\Users\\joe\\todo.txt' | path exists",
+                result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::boolean(false))]),
+            },
+            Example {
+                description: "Check if a file exists in a column",
+                example: "ls | path exists -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
+        ]
     }
 
     #[cfg(not(windows))]
     fn examples(&self) -> Vec<Example> {
-        vec![Example {
-            description: "Check if a file exists",
-            example: "echo '/home/joe/todo.txt' | path exists",
-            result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::boolean(false))]),
-        }]
+        vec![
+            Example {
+                description: "Check if a file exists",
+                example: "'/home/joe/todo.txt' | path exists",
+                result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::boolean(false))]),
+            },
+            Example {
+                description: "Check if a file exists in a column",
+                example: "ls | path exists -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
+        ]
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/expand.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/expand.rs
index 35431b90cc..e30504e9c7 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/expand.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/expand.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ pub struct PathExpand;
 
 struct PathExpandArguments {
     strict: bool,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathExpandArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -32,10 +32,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExpand {
                 "Throw an error if the path could not be expanded",
                 Some('s'),
             )
-            .rest(
-                "rest",
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+            .named(
+                "columns",
+                SyntaxShape::Table,
                 "Optionally operate by column path",
+                Some('c'),
             )
     }
 
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExpand {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathExpandArguments {
             strict: args.has_flag("strict"),
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
         });
 
         Ok(operate(args.input, &action, tag.span, cmd_args))
@@ -63,6 +64,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExpand {
                     UntaggedValue::filepath(r"C:\Users\joe\bar").into_value(Span::new(0, 25))
                 ]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Expand a path in a column",
+                example: "ls | path expand -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Expand a relative path",
                 example: r"'foo\..\bar' | path expand",
@@ -83,6 +89,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathExpand {
                     UntaggedValue::filepath("/home/joe/bar").into_value(Span::new(0, 22))
                 ]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Expand a path in a column",
+                example: "ls | path expand -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Expand a relative path",
                 example: "'foo/../bar' | path expand",
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/join.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/join.rs
index 3d83f2c963..a81eaf300f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/join.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/join.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-use super::{handle_value, join_path, operate_column_paths, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{
+    column_paths_from_args, handle_value, join_path, operate_column_paths, PathSubcommandArguments,
+};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -9,13 +11,13 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 pub struct PathJoin;
 
 struct PathJoinArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
     append: Option<Tagged<PathBuf>>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathJoinArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -26,16 +28,16 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathJoin {
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
         Signature::build("path join")
-            .rest(
-                "rest",
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
-                "Optionally operate by column path",
-            )
             .named(
+                "columns",
+                SyntaxShape::Table,
+                "Optionally operate by column path",
+                Some('c'),
+            )
+            .optional(
                 "append",
                 SyntaxShape::FilePath,
                 "Path to append to the input",
-                Some('a'),
             )
     }
 
@@ -50,9 +52,10 @@ the output of 'path parse' and 'path split' subcommands."#
 
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
+
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathJoinArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
-            append: args.get_flag("append")?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
+            append: args.opt(0)?,
         });
 
         Ok(operate_join(args.input, &action, tag, cmd_args))
@@ -63,21 +66,26 @@ the output of 'path parse' and 'path split' subcommands."#
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Append a filename to a path",
-                example: r"echo 'C:\Users\viking' | path join -a spam.txt",
+                example: r"'C:\Users\viking' | path join spam.txt",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     r"C:\Users\viking\spam.txt",
                 ))]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Append a filename to a path inside a column",
+                example: r"ls | path join spam.txt -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Join a list of parts into a path",
-                example: r"echo [ 'C:' '\' 'Users' 'viking' 'spam.txt' ] | path join",
+                example: r"[ 'C:' '\' 'Users' 'viking' 'spam.txt' ] | path join",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     r"C:\Users\viking\spam.txt",
                 ))]),
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Join a structured path into a path",
-                example: r"echo [ [parent stem extension]; ['C:\Users\viking' 'spam' 'txt']] | path join",
+                example: r"[ [parent stem extension]; ['C:\Users\viking' 'spam' 'txt']] | path join",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     r"C:\Users\viking\spam.txt",
                 ))]),
@@ -90,21 +98,26 @@ the output of 'path parse' and 'path split' subcommands."#
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Append a filename to a path",
-                example: r"echo '/home/viking' | path join -a spam.txt",
+                example: r"'/home/viking' | path join spam.txt",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     r"/home/viking/spam.txt",
                 ))]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Append a filename to a path inside a column",
+                example: r"ls | path join spam.txt -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Join a list of parts into a path",
-                example: r"echo [ '/' 'home' 'viking' 'spam.txt' ] | path join",
+                example: r"[ '/' 'home' 'viking' 'spam.txt' ] | path join",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     r"/home/viking/spam.txt",
                 ))]),
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Join a structured path into a path",
-                example: r"echo [[ parent stem extension ]; [ '/home/viking' 'spam' 'txt' ]] | path join",
+                example: r"[[ parent stem extension ]; [ '/home/viking' 'spam' 'txt' ]] | path join",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(
                     r"/home/viking/spam.txt",
                 ))]),
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/mod.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/mod.rs
index ad0cb049ef..ffd2fba52b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/mod.rs
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ fn encode_path(
                 ALLOWED_COLUMNS.join(", ")
             );
             return Err(ShellError::labeled_error_with_secondary(
-                "Invalid column name",
+                "Expected structured path table",
                 msg,
                 new_span,
                 "originates from here",
@@ -216,3 +216,36 @@ where
         operate_column_paths(input, action, span, args)
     }
 }
+
+fn column_paths_from_args(args: &CommandArgs) -> Result<Vec<ColumnPath>, ShellError> {
+    let column_paths: Option<Vec<Value>> = args.get_flag("columns")?;
+    let has_columns = column_paths.is_some();
+    let column_paths = match column_paths {
+        Some(cols) => {
+            let mut c = Vec::new();
+            for col in cols {
+                let colpath = ColumnPath::build(&col.convert_to_string().spanned_unknown());
+                if !colpath.is_empty() {
+                    c.push(colpath)
+                }
+            }
+            c
+        }
+        None => Vec::new(),
+    };
+
+    if has_columns && column_paths.is_empty() {
+        let colval: Option<Value> = args.get_flag("columns")?;
+        let colspan = match colval {
+            Some(v) => v.tag.span,
+            None => Span::unknown(),
+        };
+        return Err(ShellError::labeled_error(
+            "Requires a list of columns",
+            "must be a list of columns",
+            colspan,
+        ));
+    }
+
+    Ok(column_paths)
+}
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/parse.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/parse.rs
index 10b08918a1..81fd30ea44 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/parse.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/parse.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -11,13 +11,13 @@ use std::path::Path;
 pub struct PathParse;
 
 struct PathParseArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
     extension: Option<Tagged<String>>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathParseArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -28,10 +28,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathParse {
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
         Signature::build("path parse")
-            .rest(
-                "rest",
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+            .named(
+                "columns",
+                SyntaxShape::Table,
                 "Optionally operate by column path",
+                Some('c'),
             )
             .named(
                 "extension",
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ On Windows, an extra 'prefix' column is added."#
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathParseArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
             extension: args.get_flag("extension")?,
         });
 
@@ -65,22 +66,22 @@ On Windows, an extra 'prefix' column is added."#
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Parse a single path",
-                example: r"echo 'C:\Users\viking\spam.txt' | path parse",
+                example: r"'C:\Users\viking\spam.txt' | path parse",
                 result: None,
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Replace a complex extension",
-                example: r"echo 'C:\Users\viking\spam.tar.gz' | path parse -e tar.gz | update extension { 'txt' }",
+                example: r"'C:\Users\viking\spam.tar.gz' | path parse -e tar.gz | update extension { 'txt' }",
                 result: None,
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Ignore the extension",
-                example: r"echo 'C:\Users\viking.d' | path parse -e ''",
+                example: r"'C:\Users\viking.d' | path parse -e ''",
                 result: None,
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Parse all paths under the 'name' column",
-                example: r"ls | path parse name",
+                example: r"ls | path parse -c [ name ]",
                 result: None,
             },
         ]
@@ -91,22 +92,22 @@ On Windows, an extra 'prefix' column is added."#
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Parse a path",
-                example: r"echo '/home/viking/spam.txt' | path parse",
+                example: r"'/home/viking/spam.txt' | path parse",
                 result: None,
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Replace a complex extension",
-                example: r"echo '/home/viking/spam.tar.gz' | path parse -e tar.gz | update extension { 'txt' }",
+                example: r"'/home/viking/spam.tar.gz' | path parse -e tar.gz | update extension { 'txt' }",
                 result: None,
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Ignore the extension",
-                example: r"echo '/etc/conf.d' | path parse -e ''",
+                example: r"'/etc/conf.d' | path parse -e ''",
                 result: None,
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Parse all paths under the 'name' column",
-                example: r"ls | path parse name",
+                example: r"ls | path parse -c [ name ]",
                 result: None,
             },
         ]
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/relative_to.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/relative_to.rs
index d94d3e5f54..d62b262db2 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/relative_to.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/relative_to.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@ pub struct PathRelativeTo;
 
 struct PathRelativeToArguments {
     path: Tagged<PathBuf>,
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathRelativeToArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -31,10 +31,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathRelativeTo {
                 SyntaxShape::FilePath,
                 "Parent shared with the input path",
             )
-            .rest(
-                "rest",
-                SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+            .named(
+                "columns",
+                SyntaxShape::Table,
                 "Optionally operate by column path",
+                Some('c'),
             )
     }
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ path."#
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathRelativeToArguments {
             path: args.req(0)?,
-            rest: args.rest(1)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
         });
 
         Ok(operate(args.input, &action, tag.span, cmd_args))
@@ -66,6 +67,11 @@ path."#
                 example: r"'C:\Users\viking' | path relative-to 'C:\Users'",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(r"viking"))]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Find a relative path from two absolute paths in a column",
+                example: "ls ~ | path relative-to ~ -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Find a relative path from two relative paths",
                 example: r"'eggs\bacon\sausage\spam' | path relative-to 'eggs\bacon\sausage'",
@@ -82,6 +88,11 @@ path."#
                 example: r"'/home/viking' | path relative-to '/home'",
                 result: Some(vec![Value::from(UntaggedValue::filepath(r"viking"))]),
             },
+            Example {
+                description: "Find a relative path from two absolute paths in a column",
+                example: "ls ~ | path relative-to ~ -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
             Example {
                 description: "Find a relative path from two relative paths",
                 example: r"'eggs/bacon/sausage/spam' | path relative-to 'eggs/bacon/sausage'",
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/split.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/split.rs
index 2ab7ad9eab..d51505b2da 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/split.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/split.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{handle_value, operate_column_paths, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, handle_value, operate_column_paths, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
 use nu_errors::ShellError;
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ use std::path::Path;
 pub struct PathSplit;
 
 struct PathSplitArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathSplitArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathSplit {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("path split").rest(
-            "rest",
-            SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+        Signature::build("path split").named(
+            "columns",
+            SyntaxShape::Table,
             "Optionally operate by column path",
+            Some('c'),
         )
     }
 
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathSplit {
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathSplitArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
         });
 
         Ok(operate_split(args.input, &action, tag.span, cmd_args))
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathSplit {
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Split a path into parts",
-                example: r"echo 'C:\Users\viking\spam.txt' | path split",
+                example: r"'C:\Users\viking\spam.txt' | path split",
                 result: Some(vec![
                     Value::from(UntaggedValue::string("C:")),
                     Value::from(UntaggedValue::string(r"\")),
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathSplit {
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Split all paths under the 'name' column",
-                example: r"ls | path split name",
+                example: r"ls ('.' | path expand) | path split -c [ name ]",
                 result: None,
             },
         ]
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathSplit {
         vec![
             Example {
                 description: "Split a path into parts",
-                example: r"echo '/home/viking/spam.txt' | path split",
+                example: r"'/home/viking/spam.txt' | path split",
                 result: Some(vec![
                     Value::from(UntaggedValue::string("/")),
                     Value::from(UntaggedValue::string("home")),
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathSplit {
             },
             Example {
                 description: "Split all paths under the 'name' column",
-                example: r"ls | path split name",
+                example: r"ls ('.' | path expand) | path split -c [ name ]",
                 result: None,
             },
         ]
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/type.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/type.rs
index 5941b6297e..041f9fbf0b 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/type.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/commands/path/type.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
+use super::{column_paths_from_args, operate, PathSubcommandArguments};
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use nu_engine::filesystem::filesystem_shell::get_file_type;
 use nu_engine::WholeStreamCommand;
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ use std::path::Path;
 pub struct PathType;
 
 struct PathTypeArguments {
-    rest: Vec<ColumnPath>,
+    columns: Vec<ColumnPath>,
 }
 
 impl PathSubcommandArguments for PathTypeArguments {
     fn get_column_paths(&self) -> &Vec<ColumnPath> {
-        &self.rest
+        &self.columns
     }
 }
 
@@ -24,10 +24,11 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathType {
     }
 
     fn signature(&self) -> Signature {
-        Signature::build("path type").rest(
-            "rest",
-            SyntaxShape::ColumnPath,
+        Signature::build("path type").named(
+            "columns",
+            SyntaxShape::Table,
             "Optionally operate by column path",
+            Some('c'),
         )
     }
 
@@ -38,18 +39,25 @@ impl WholeStreamCommand for PathType {
     fn run(&self, args: CommandArgs) -> Result<OutputStream, ShellError> {
         let tag = args.call_info.name_tag.clone();
         let cmd_args = Arc::new(PathTypeArguments {
-            rest: args.rest(0)?,
+            columns: column_paths_from_args(&args)?,
         });
 
         Ok(operate(args.input, &action, tag.span, cmd_args))
     }
 
     fn examples(&self) -> Vec<Example> {
-        vec![Example {
-            description: "Show type of a filepath",
-            example: "echo '.' | path type",
-            result: Some(vec![Value::from("Dir")]),
-        }]
+        vec![
+            Example {
+                description: "Show type of a filepath",
+                example: "'.' | path type",
+                result: Some(vec![Value::from("Dir")]),
+            },
+            Example {
+                description: "Show type of a filepath in a column",
+                example: "ls | path type -c [ name ]",
+                result: None,
+            },
+        ]
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/join.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/join.rs
index cc818706ef..b7ffa73538 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/join.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/join.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ fn returns_path_joined_with_column_path() {
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
             echo [ [name]; [eggs] ]
-            | path join -a spam.txt name
+            | path join spam.txt -c [ name ]
             | get name
         "#
     ));
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ fn returns_path_joined_from_list() {
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
             echo [ home viking spam.txt ]
-            | path join 
+            | path join
         "#
     ));
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ fn appends_slash_when_joined_with_empty_path() {
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
             echo "/some/dir"
-            | path join -a ''
+            | path join ''
         "#
     ));
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ fn returns_joined_path_when_joining_empty_path() {
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
             echo ""
-            | path join -a foo.txt
+            | path join foo.txt
         "#
     ));
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/parse.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/parse.rs
index 42a365d48a..b4ffb3b65e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/parse.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/parse.rs
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ fn parses_custom_extension_gets_extension() {
     let actual = nu!(
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
-            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz' 
+            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz'
             | path parse -e tar.gz
             | get extension
         "#
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ fn parses_custom_extension_gets_stem() {
     let actual = nu!(
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
-            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz' 
+            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz'
             | path parse -e tar.gz
             | get stem
         "#
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ fn parses_ignoring_extension_gets_extension() {
     let actual = nu!(
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
-            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz' 
+            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz'
             | path parse -e ''
             | get extension
         "#
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ fn parses_ignoring_extension_gets_stem() {
     let actual = nu!(
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
-            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz' 
+            echo 'home/viking/spam.tar.gz'
             | path parse -e ""
             | get stem
         "#
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ fn parses_column_path_extension() {
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
             echo [[home, barn]; ['home/viking/spam.txt', 'barn/cow/moo.png']]
-            | path parse home barn
+            | path parse -c [ home barn ]
             | get barn
             | get extension
         "#
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/split.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/split.rs
index ba70d442f6..97f1cbd37f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/split.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/path/split.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fn splits_correctly_single_path() {
         cwd: "tests", pipeline(
         r#"
             echo ['home/viking/spam.txt']
-            | path split 
+            | path split
             | last
         "#
     ));
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ fn splits_correctly_with_column_path() {
                 ['home/viking/spam.txt', 'barn/cow/moo.png']
                 ['home/viking/eggs.txt', 'barn/goat/cheese.png']
             ]
-            | path split home barn
+            | path split -c [ home barn ]
             | get barn
             | length
         "#
diff --git a/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs b/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs
index 84906f19d6..05c627bf3d 100644
--- a/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-engine/src/from_value.rs
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ impl FromValue for i64 {
         v.as_i64()
     }
 }
+
 impl FromValue for Tagged<i64> {
     fn from_value(v: &Value) -> Result<Self, ShellError> {
         let tag = v.tag.clone();