Java String Formatting (Columns)

Question

Is there a native code or library in Java for formatting a String like in the way below made in C#?

Source: Format a string into columns (C#)

public string DropDownDisplay { 
  get { 
    return String.Format("{0,-10} - {1,-10}, {2, 10} - {3,5}"), 
                          Name, City, State, ID);
  } 
}

Use String.format(...) method. See docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/util/Formatter.html — KV Prajapati
– KV Prajapati, Commented Jan 19, 2018 at 10:00

user1438038 · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-19 10:18:14Z

4

Java provides String.format() with various options to format both text and numbers.

There is no need for additional libraries, it is a built-in feature.

The syntax is very similar to your example. Basically, to print a String, you can use the %s placeholder. For decimal numbers, use %d. See my link above to get a full list of all possible types.

String name = "Saskia";
int age = 23;
String formattedText = String.format("%s is %d years old.", name, age);

You can add flags for additional padding and alignment, if you want a column-like output.

String formattedText = String.format("%-10s is %-5d years old.", name, age);

In %-10s the %s defines the type String, the - is used for left-alignment and the 10 defines the width of the padding.

edited Jan 19, 2018 at 10:18

answered Jan 19, 2018 at 10:01

user1438038

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2 Comments

FanaticTyp Over a year ago

That's not why im searching. I want columns with a specific amount of characters. I know this simple formatting.

user1438038 Over a year ago

I have updated my anser and included information about formatting flags. See my link, there is a whole section on those flags in the documentation.

Daniel Taub · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-19 10:20:33Z

3

Java also have a String formatting option :

public String DropDownDisplay(){
    return String.format("%-10s - %-10s, %10s - %5s", "name", "city", "state", "id");
}

There many format specifiers as :

%s - String value
%d - Decimal integer

For specifying a width you can use the %SomeNumber option,
positive number will Right-justify within the specified width, and a negative number will be Left-Justify.

Here is Java format examples that you can use

edited Jan 19, 2018 at 10:20

answered Jan 19, 2018 at 10:02

Daniel Taub

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5 Comments

FanaticTyp Over a year ago

But I want two or more columns side by side. And define for each columns the amount of characters.

Daniel Taub Over a year ago

I edit my answer, the %SomeNumber does it, like C#, please read the example i have put in the answer

FanaticTyp Over a year ago

Thanks, thats exactly what I have searched in Java

FanaticTyp Over a year ago

But can you also describe the different between %-10s and %10s? Would be great.

user1438038 Over a year ago

See documentation in the Flags section. The minus sign is used for left-alignment, the 10 is the padding width.

laune · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-19 10:10:09Z

1

The simple String method format provides the same as C's printf.

But the JDK class java.text.MessageFormat provides a very rich set of ways for formatting.

answered Jan 19, 2018 at 10:10

laune

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