--- a/runtime/doc/textprop.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/textprop.txt
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ prop_add({lnum}, {col}, {props})
 					   the text wraps to the next screen
 					   line)
 				   below   in the next screen line
+				   above   just above the line
 				When omitted "after" is used.  Only one
 				"right" property can fit in each line, if
 				there are two ore more these will go in a

--- a/src/charset.c
+++ b/src/charset.c
@@ -1069,40 +1069,6 @@ lbr_chartabsize_adv(chartabsize_T *cts)
     return retval;
 }
 
-#if defined(FEAT_PROP_POPUP) || defined(PROTO)
-/*
- * Return the cell size of virtual text after truncation.
- */
-    int
-textprop_size_after_trunc(
-	win_T	*wp,
-	int	below,
-	int	added,
-	char_u	*text,
-	int	*n_used_ptr)
-{
-    int	space = below ? wp->w_width : added;
-    int len = (int)STRLEN(text);
-    int strsize = 0;
-    int n_used;
-
-    // if the remaining size is to small wrap
-    // anyway and use the next line
-    if (space < PROP_TEXT_MIN_CELLS)
-	space += wp->w_width;
-    for (n_used = 0; n_used < len; n_used += (*mb_ptr2len)(text + n_used))
-    {
-	int clen = ptr2cells(text + n_used);
-
-	if (strsize + clen > space)
-	    break;
-	strsize += clen;
-    }
-    *n_used_ptr = n_used;
-    return strsize;
-}
-#endif
-
 /*
  * Return the screen size of the character indicated by "cts".
  * "cts->cts_cur_text_width" is set to the extra size for a text property that
@@ -1142,6 +1108,7 @@ win_lbr_chartabsize(
 
 #if defined(FEAT_PROP_POPUP)
     cts->cts_cur_text_width = 0;
+    cts->cts_first_char = 0;
 #endif
 
 #if defined(FEAT_LINEBREAK) || defined(FEAT_PROP_POPUP)
@@ -1194,9 +1161,12 @@ win_lbr_chartabsize(
 	    if (tp->tp_id < 0
 		    && ((tp->tp_col - 1 >= col
 					     && tp->tp_col - 1 < col + charlen)
-		       || (tp->tp_col == MAXCOL && (s[0] == NUL || s[1] == NUL)
-						   && cts->cts_with_trailing))
-		    && -tp->tp_id - 1 < gap->ga_len)
+		       || (tp->tp_col == MAXCOL
+			   && ((tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE)
+				? col == 0
+				: (s[0] == NUL || s[1] == NUL)
+						  && cts->cts_with_trailing)))
+		    && tp->tp_id - 1 < gap->ga_len)
 	    {
 		char_u *p = ((char_u **)gap->ga_data)[-tp->tp_id - 1];
 
@@ -1218,6 +1188,8 @@ win_lbr_chartabsize(
 		    else
 			cells = vim_strsize(p);
 		    cts->cts_cur_text_width += cells;
+		    if (tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE)
+			cts->cts_first_char += cells;
 		    cts->cts_start_incl = tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_START_INCL;
 		    size += cells;
 		    if (*s == TAB)
@@ -1564,6 +1536,11 @@ getvcol(
 #endif
 		break;
 	    }
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+	    if (cursor == &wp->w_virtcol && cts.cts_ptr == cts.cts_line)
+		// do not count the virtual text above for w_curswant
+		wp->w_virtcol_first_char = cts.cts_first_char;
+#endif
 
 	    if (posptr != NULL && cts.cts_ptr >= posptr)
 		// character at pos->col

--- a/src/drawline.c
+++ b/src/drawline.c
@@ -279,6 +279,38 @@ get_sign_display_info(
 
 #if defined(FEAT_PROP_POPUP) || defined(PROTO)
 /*
+ * Return the cell size of virtual text after truncation.
+ */
+    static int
+textprop_size_after_trunc(
+	win_T	*wp,
+	int	flags,	    // TP_FLAG_ALIGN_*
+	int	added,
+	char_u	*text,
+	int	*n_used_ptr)
+{
+    int	space = (flags & (TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW | TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE))
+							 ? wp->w_width : added;
+    int len = (int)STRLEN(text);
+    int strsize = 0;
+    int n_used;
+
+    // if the remaining size is to small wrap anyway and use the next line
+    if (space < PROP_TEXT_MIN_CELLS)
+	space += wp->w_width;
+    for (n_used = 0; n_used < len; n_used += (*mb_ptr2len)(text + n_used))
+    {
+	int clen = ptr2cells(text + n_used);
+
+	if (strsize + clen > space)
+	    break;
+	strsize += clen;
+    }
+    *n_used_ptr = n_used;
+    return strsize;
+}
+
+/*
  * Take care of padding, right-align and truncation of virtual text after a
  * line.
  * if "n_attr" is not NULL then "n_extra" and "p_extra" are adjusted for any
@@ -297,6 +329,7 @@ text_prop_position(
 	int	    *n_attr_skip)   // cells to skip attr, NULL if not used
 {
     int	    right = (tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT);
+    int	    above = (tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE);
     int	    below = (tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW);
     int	    wrap = (tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_WRAP);
     int	    padding = tp->tp_col == MAXCOL && tp->tp_len > 1
@@ -304,36 +337,45 @@ text_prop_position(
     int	    col_with_padding = vcol + (below ? 0 : padding);
     int	    col_off = 0;
     int	    room = wp->w_width - col_with_padding;
-    int	    added = room;
+    int	    before = room;	// spaces before the text
+    int	    after = 0;		// spaces after the text
     int	    n_used = *n_extra;
     char_u  *l = NULL;
     int	    strsize = vim_strsize(*p_extra);
-    int	    cells = wrap ? strsize
-	      : textprop_size_after_trunc(wp, below, added, *p_extra, &n_used);
+    int	    cells = wrap ? strsize : textprop_size_after_trunc(wp,
+				      tp->tp_flags, before, *p_extra, &n_used);
 
-    if (wrap || right || below || padding > 0 || n_used < *n_extra)
+    if (wrap || right || above || below || padding > 0 || n_used < *n_extra)
     {
-	// Right-align: fill with spaces
-	if (right)
-	    added -= cells;
-	if (added < 0
-		|| !(right || below)
-		|| (below
-		    ? (col_with_padding == 0 || !wp->w_p_wrap)
-		    : (n_used < *n_extra)))
+	if (above)
+	{
+	    before = 0;
+	    after = wp->w_width - cells;
+	}
+	else
 	{
-	    if (right && (wrap || room < PROP_TEXT_MIN_CELLS))
+	    // Right-align: fill with before
+	    if (right)
+		before -= cells;
+	    if (before < 0
+		    || !(right || below)
+		    || (below
+			? (col_with_padding == 0 || !wp->w_p_wrap)
+			: (n_used < *n_extra)))
 	    {
-		// right-align on next line instead of wrapping if possible
-		col_off = win_col_off(wp) + win_col_off2(wp);
-		added = wp->w_width - col_off - strsize + room;
-		if (added < 0)
-		    added = 0;
+		if (right && (wrap || room < PROP_TEXT_MIN_CELLS))
+		{
+		    // right-align on next line instead of wrapping if possible
+		    col_off = win_col_off(wp) + win_col_off2(wp);
+		    before = wp->w_width - col_off - strsize + room;
+		    if (before < 0)
+			before = 0;
+		    else
+			n_used = *n_extra;
+		}
 		else
-		    n_used = *n_extra;
+		    before = 0;
 	    }
-	    else
-		added = 0;
 	}
 
 	// With 'nowrap' add one to show the "extends" character if needed (it
@@ -346,15 +388,15 @@ text_prop_position(
 
 	// add 1 for NUL, 2 for when '…' is used
 	if (n_attr != NULL)
-	    l = alloc(n_used + added + padding + 3);
+	    l = alloc(n_used + before + after + padding + 3);
 	if (n_attr == NULL || l != NULL)
 	{
 	    int off = 0;
 
 	    if (n_attr != NULL)
 	    {
-		vim_memset(l, ' ', added);
-		off += added;
+		vim_memset(l, ' ', before);
+		off += before;
 		if (padding > 0)
 		{
 		    vim_memset(l + off, ' ', padding);
@@ -365,8 +407,8 @@ text_prop_position(
 	    }
 	    else
 	    {
-		off = added + padding + n_used;
-		cells += added + padding;
+		off = before + after + padding + n_used;
+		cells += before + after + padding;
 	    }
 	    if (n_attr != NULL)
 	    {
@@ -385,10 +427,16 @@ text_prop_position(
 			// change last character to '>'
 			*lp = '>';
 		}
+		else if (after > 0)
+		{
+		    vim_memset(l + off, ' ', after);
+		    l[off + after] = NUL;
+		}
+
 		*p_extra = l;
-		*n_extra = n_used + added + padding;
+		*n_extra = n_used + before + after + padding;
 		*n_attr = mb_charlen(*p_extra);
-		*n_attr_skip = added + padding + col_off;
+		*n_attr_skip = before + padding + col_off;
 	    }
 	}
     }
@@ -1694,11 +1742,14 @@ win_line(
 		// text prop can show.
 		while (text_prop_next < text_prop_count
 			   && (text_props[text_prop_next].tp_col == MAXCOL
-			      ? (*ptr == NUL
+			      ? ((*ptr == NUL
 				  && (wp->w_p_wrap
 				      || wlv.row == startrow
 				      || (text_props[text_prop_next].tp_flags
 						       & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW)))
+			       || (bcol == 0 &&
+				      (text_props[text_prop_next].tp_flags
+						       & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE)))
 			      : bcol >= text_props[text_prop_next].tp_col - 1))
 		{
 		    if (text_props[text_prop_next].tp_col == MAXCOL
@@ -1773,6 +1824,8 @@ win_line(
 			{
 			    int	    right = (tp->tp_flags
 							& TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT);
+			    int	    above = (tp->tp_flags
+							& TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE);
 			    int	    below = (tp->tp_flags
 							& TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW);
 			    int	    wrap = (tp->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_WRAP);
@@ -1797,18 +1850,15 @@ win_line(
 				// don't combine char attr after EOL
 				text_prop_flags &= ~PT_FLAG_COMBINE;
 #ifdef FEAT_LINEBREAK
-			    if (below || right || !wrap)
+			    if (above || below || right || !wrap)
 			    {
 				// no 'showbreak' before "below" text property
-				// or after "right" text property
+				// or after "above" or "right" text property
 				need_showbreak = FALSE;
 				dont_use_showbreak = TRUE;
 			    }
 #endif
-			    // Keep in sync with where
-			    // textprop_size_after_trunc() is called in
-			    // win_lbr_chartabsize().
-			    if ((right || below || !wrap || padding > 0)
+			    if ((right || above || below || !wrap || padding > 0)
 							    && wp->w_width > 2)
 			    {
 				char_u	*prev_p_extra = wlv.p_extra;

--- a/src/misc2.c
+++ b/src/misc2.c
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ getviscol2(colnr_T col, colnr_T coladd U
 }
 
 /*
- * Try to advance the Cursor to the specified screen column.
+ * Try to advance the Cursor to the specified screen column "wantcol".
  * If virtual editing: fine tune the cursor position.
  * Note that all virtual positions off the end of a line should share
  * a curwin->w_cursor.col value (n.b. this is equal to STRLEN(line)),
@@ -94,29 +94,30 @@ getviscol2(colnr_T col, colnr_T coladd U
  * return OK if desired column is reached, FAIL if not
  */
     int
-coladvance(colnr_T wcol)
+coladvance(colnr_T wantcol)
 {
-    int rc = getvpos(&curwin->w_cursor, wcol);
+    int rc = getvpos(&curwin->w_cursor, wantcol);
 
-    if (wcol == MAXCOL || rc == FAIL)
+    if (wantcol == MAXCOL || rc == FAIL)
 	curwin->w_valid &= ~VALID_VIRTCOL;
     else if (*ml_get_cursor() != TAB)
     {
 	// Virtcol is valid when not on a TAB
 	curwin->w_valid |= VALID_VIRTCOL;
-	curwin->w_virtcol = wcol;
+	curwin->w_virtcol = wantcol;
     }
     return rc;
 }
 
 /*
- * Return in "pos" the position of the cursor advanced to screen column "wcol".
+ * Return in "pos" the position of the cursor advanced to screen column
+ * "wantcol".
  * return OK if desired column is reached, FAIL if not
  */
     int
-getvpos(pos_T *pos, colnr_T wcol)
+getvpos(pos_T *pos, colnr_T wantcol)
 {
-    return coladvance2(pos, FALSE, virtual_active(), wcol);
+    return coladvance2(pos, FALSE, virtual_active(), wantcol);
 }
 
     static int
@@ -156,8 +157,8 @@ coladvance2(
     }
     else
     {
-	int width = curwin->w_width - win_col_off(curwin);
-	chartabsize_T cts;
+	int		width = curwin->w_width - win_col_off(curwin);
+	chartabsize_T	cts;
 
 	if (finetune
 		&& curwin->w_p_wrap
@@ -183,6 +184,9 @@ coladvance2(
 	init_chartabsize_arg(&cts, curwin, pos->lnum, 0, line, line);
 	while (cts.cts_vcol <= wcol && *cts.cts_ptr != NUL)
 	{
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+	    int at_start = cts.cts_ptr == cts.cts_line;
+#endif
 	    // Count a tab for what it's worth (if list mode not on)
 #ifdef FEAT_LINEBREAK
 	    csize = win_lbr_chartabsize(&cts, &head);
@@ -191,6 +195,11 @@ coladvance2(
 	    csize = lbr_chartabsize_adv(&cts);
 #endif
 	    cts.cts_vcol += csize;
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+	    if (at_start)
+		// do not count the columns for virtual text above
+		cts.cts_vcol -= cts.cts_first_char;
+#endif
 	}
 	col = cts.cts_vcol;
 	idx = (int)(cts.cts_ptr - line);
@@ -2400,7 +2409,7 @@ update_mouseshape(int shape_idx)
 
 /*
  * Change directory to "new_dir".  Search 'cdpath' for relative directory
- * names, otherwise just mch_chdir().
+ * names.
  */
     int
 vim_chdir(char_u *new_dir)

--- a/src/move.c
+++ b/src/move.c
@@ -476,7 +476,11 @@ update_curswant(void)
     if (curwin->w_set_curswant)
     {
 	validate_virtcol();
-	curwin->w_curswant = curwin->w_virtcol;
+	curwin->w_curswant = curwin->w_virtcol
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+				- curwin->w_virtcol_first_char
+#endif
+				;
 	curwin->w_set_curswant = FALSE;
     }
 }
@@ -835,6 +839,9 @@ validate_virtcol_win(win_T *wp)
     check_cursor_moved(wp);
     if (!(wp->w_valid & VALID_VIRTCOL))
     {
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+	wp->w_virtcol_first_char = 0;
+#endif
 	getvvcol(wp, &wp->w_cursor, NULL, &(wp->w_virtcol), NULL);
 #ifdef FEAT_SYN_HL
 	redraw_for_cursorcolumn(wp);
@@ -982,6 +989,11 @@ curs_columns(
     if (!(curwin->w_valid & VALID_CROW))
 	curs_rows(curwin);
 
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+    // will be set by getvvcol() but not reset
+    curwin->w_virtcol_first_char = 0;
+#endif
+
     /*
      * Compute the number of virtual columns.
      */

--- a/src/proto/charset.pro
+++ b/src/proto/charset.pro
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ void init_chartabsize_arg(chartabsize_T 
 void clear_chartabsize_arg(chartabsize_T *cts);
 int lbr_chartabsize(chartabsize_T *cts);
 int lbr_chartabsize_adv(chartabsize_T *cts);
-int textprop_size_after_trunc(win_T *wp, int below, int added, char_u *text, int *n_used_ptr);
 int win_lbr_chartabsize(chartabsize_T *cts, int *headp);
 void getvcol(win_T *wp, pos_T *pos, colnr_T *start, colnr_T *cursor, colnr_T *end);
 colnr_T getvcol_nolist(pos_T *posp);

--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -813,12 +813,13 @@ typedef struct textprop_S
 #define TP_FLAG_CONT_PREV	0x2	// property was continued from prev line
 
 // without these text is placed after the end of the line
-#define TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT	0x10	// virtual text is right-aligned
-#define TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW	0x20	// virtual text on next screen line
-
-#define TP_FLAG_WRAP		0x40	// virtual text wraps - when missing
+#define TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT	0x010	// virtual text is right-aligned
+#define TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE	0x020	// virtual text above the line
+#define TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW	0x040	// virtual text on next screen line
+
+#define TP_FLAG_WRAP		0x080	// virtual text wraps - when missing
 					// text is truncated
-#define TP_FLAG_START_INCL	0x80	// "start_incl" copied from proptype
+#define TP_FLAG_START_INCL	0x100	// "start_incl" copied from proptype
 
 #define PROP_TEXT_MIN_CELLS	4	// minimun number of cells to use for
 					// the text, even when truncating
@@ -3678,6 +3679,11 @@ struct window_S
 				    // more than one screen line or when
 				    // w_leftcol is non-zero
 
+#ifdef FEAT_PROP_POPUP
+    colnr_T	w_virtcol_first_char;	// offset for w_virtcol when there are
+					// virtual text properties above the
+					// line
+#endif
     /*
      * w_wrow and w_wcol specify the cursor position in the window.
      * This is related to positions in the window, not in the display or
@@ -4607,6 +4613,7 @@ typedef struct {
     textprop_T	*cts_text_props;	// text props (allocated)
     char	cts_has_prop_with_text; // TRUE if if a property inserts text
     int         cts_cur_text_width;     // width of current inserted text
+    int         cts_first_char;		// width text props above the line
     int		cts_with_trailing;	// include size of trailing props with
 					// last character
     int		cts_start_incl;		// prop has true "start_incl" arg

new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/dumps/Test_prop_with_text_above_1.dump
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+|f+0&#ffff4012|i|r|s|t| |t|h|i|n|g| |a|b|o|v|e| @42
+|s+0&#ffd7ff255|e|c|o|n|d| |t|h|i|n|g| |a|b|o|v|e| @41
+|o+0&#ffffff0|n|e| |t|w|o| @52
+|t|h|r>e@1| |f|o|u|r| @49
+|a+0&#ffff4012|n|o|t|h|e|r| |t|h|i|n|g| @46
+|f+0&#ffffff0|i|v|e| |s|i|x| @51
+|~+0#4040ff13&| @58
+|~| @58
+| +0#0000000&@41|2|,|4| @10|A|l@1| 

--- a/src/testdir/test_textprop.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_textprop.vim
@@ -2848,6 +2848,26 @@ func Test_props_with_text_below_nowrap()
   call delete('XscriptPropsBelowNowrap')
 endfunc
 
+func Test_props_with_text_above()
+  CheckRunVimInTerminal
+
+  let lines =<< trim END
+      call setline(1, ['one two', 'three four', 'five six'])
+      call prop_type_add('above1', #{highlight: 'Search'})
+      call prop_type_add('above2', #{highlight: 'DiffChange'})
+      call prop_add(1, 0, #{type: 'above1', text: 'first thing above', text_align: 'above'})
+      call prop_add(1, 0, #{type: 'above2', text: 'second thing above', text_align: 'above'})
+      call prop_add(3, 0, #{type: 'above1', text: 'another thing', text_align: 'above'})
+
+      normal gglllj
+  END
+  call writefile(lines, 'XscriptPropsWithTextAbove', 'D')
+  let buf = RunVimInTerminal('-S XscriptPropsWithTextAbove', #{rows: 9, cols: 60})
+  call VerifyScreenDump(buf, 'Test_prop_with_text_above_1', {})
+
+  call StopVimInTerminal(buf)
+endfunc
+
 func Test_props_with_text_override()
   CheckRunVimInTerminal
 

--- a/src/textprop.c
+++ b/src/textprop.c
@@ -497,6 +497,8 @@ prop_add_common(
 	    }
 	    if (STRCMP(p, "right") == 0)
 		flags |= TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT;
+	    else if (STRCMP(p, "above") == 0)
+		flags |= TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE;
 	    else if (STRCMP(p, "below") == 0)
 		flags |= TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW;
 	    else if (STRCMP(p, "after") != 0)
@@ -673,6 +675,21 @@ count_props(linenr_T lnum, int only_star
 static textprop_T	*text_prop_compare_props;
 static buf_T		*text_prop_compare_buf;
 
+/* Score for sorting on position of the text property: 0: above,
+ * 1: after (default), 2: right, 3: below (comes last)
+ */
+    static int
+text_prop_order(int flags)
+{
+    if (flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_ABOVE)
+	return 0;
+    if (flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT)
+	return 2;
+    if (flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW)
+	return 3;
+    return 1;
+}
+
 /*
  * Function passed to qsort() to sort text properties.
  * Return 1 if "s1" has priority over "s2", -1 if the other way around, zero if
@@ -694,21 +711,13 @@ text_prop_compare(const void *s1, const 
     col2 = tp2->tp_col;
     if (col1 == MAXCOL && col2 == MAXCOL)
     {
-	int flags1 = 0;
-	int flags2 = 0;
+	int order1 = text_prop_order(tp1->tp_flags);
+	int order2 = text_prop_order(tp2->tp_flags);
 
-	// both props add text are after the line, order on 0: after (default),
-	// 1: right, 2: below (comes last)
-	if (tp1->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT)
-	    flags1 = 1;
-	if (tp1->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW)
-	    flags1 = 2;
-	if (tp2->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_RIGHT)
-	    flags2 = 1;
-	if (tp2->tp_flags & TP_FLAG_ALIGN_BELOW)
-	    flags2 = 2;
-	if (flags1 != flags2)
-	    return flags1 < flags2 ? 1 : -1;
+	// both props add text before or after the line, sort on order where it
+	// is added
+	if (order1 != order2)
+	    return order1 < order2 ? 1 : -1;
     }
 
     // property that inserts text has priority over one that doesn't

--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -704,6 +704,8 @@ static char *(features[]) =
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    438,
+/**/
     437,
 /**/
     436,