CODEWITHSUNDEEP
pythonpython-3.xformattingtuples
S. Dixon
S. Dixon

Reputation: 25

Python - Formatting a print to align a specific column

I am trying to format a print statement to align a specific column.

Currently my output is: 

0 - Rusty Bucket (40L bucket - quite rusty) = $0.00
1 - Golf Cart (Tesla powered 250 turbo) = $195.00*
2 - Thermomix (TM-31) = $25.50*
3 - AeroPress (Great coffee maker) = $5.00
4 - Guitar (JTV-59) = $12.95

The output I am looking for is:

0 - Rusty Bucket (40L bucket - quite rusty)    = $0.00
1 - Golf Cart (Tesla powered 250 turbo)        = $195.00*
2 - Thermomix (TM-31)                          = $25.50*
3 - AeroPress (Great coffee maker)             = $5.00
4 - Guitar (JTV-59)                            = $12.95

Here is the code I am currently using for the print:

def list_items():
    count = 0
    print("All items on file (* indicates item is currently out):")
    for splitline in all_lines:
        in_out = splitline[3]
        dollar_sign = "= $"
        daily_price = "{0:.2f}".format(float(splitline[2]))
        if in_out == "out":
            in_out = str("*")
        else:
            in_out = str("")
        print(count, "- {} ({}) {}{}{}".format(splitline[0], splitline[1], dollar_sign, daily_price, in_out))
        count += 1

I have tried using formatting such as: 

print(count, "- {:>5} ({:>5}) {:>5}{}{}".format(splitline[0], splitline[1], dollar_sign, daily_price, in_out))

but have never been able to get just the one column to align. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I am also using python 3.x

To note I am using tuples to contain all the information, with all_lines being the master list, as it were. The information is being read from a csv originally. Apologies for the horrible naming conventions, trying to work on functionality first.

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere; I have tried looking.

EDIT: Here is the code im using for my all_lines

import csv
open_file = open('items.csv', 'r+')
all_lines = []
for line in open_file:
    splitline = line.strip().split(',')
    all_lines.append((splitline[0], splitline[1], splitline[2], splitline[3]))

And here is the csv file information:

Rusty Bucket,40L bucket - quite rusty,0.0,in
Golf Cart,Tesla powered 250 turbo,195.0,out
Thermomix,TM-31,25.5,out
AeroPress,Great coffee maker,5.0,in
Guitar,JTV-59,12.95,in

Upvotes: 1

Views: 7006

Answers (3)

tfv
tfv

Reputation: 6259

What you are looking for may be:

[EDIT] I have now also included a tabulate version since you may gain flexibility with this.

import csv
from tabulate import tabulate
open_file = open('items.csv', 'r+')
all_lines = []
for line in open_file:
    splitline = line.strip().split(',')
    all_lines.append((splitline[0], splitline[1], splitline[2], splitline[3]))

#print all_lines
count = 0
new_lines=[]
for splitline in all_lines:
    in_out = splitline[3]
    dollar_sign = "= $"
    daily_price = "{0:.2f}".format(float(splitline[2]))
    if in_out == "out":
        in_out = str("*")
    else:
        in_out = str("")
    str2='('+splitline[1]+')'    
    print count, "- {:<30} {:<30} {}{:<30} {:<10}".format(splitline[0], str2, dollar_sign, daily_price, in_out)
    new_lines.append([splitline[0], str2, dollar_sign, daily_price, in_out])
    count += 1

print tabulate(new_lines, tablefmt="plain")
print
print tabulate(new_lines, tablefmt="plain", numalign="left")

Upvotes: 0

squid
squid

Reputation: 2615

I do not like the idea of controlling printing format myself.

In this case, I would leverage a tabulating library such as: Tabulate.

The two key points are:

  1. keep data in a table (e.g. list in a list)
  2. select proper printing format with tablefmt param.

Upvotes: 0

user2390182
user2390182

Reputation: 73460

You should look at str.ljust(width[, fillchar]):

> '(TM-31)'.ljust(15)
'(TM-31)        '  # pad to width

Then extract the variable-length {} ({}) part and padd it to the necessary width.

Upvotes: 1

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