Python - Formatting a print to align a specific column

Question

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

user2390182 · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-10 04:54:52Z

1

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.

answered Apr 10, 2016 at 4:54

user2390182

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tfv · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-10 05:42:50Z

0

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")

edited Apr 10, 2016 at 5:42

answered Apr 10, 2016 at 4:56

tfv

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8 Comments

S. Dixon Over a year ago

This is working a treat, the only thing that I'm wondering is if there is a way to do this without me specifying each all_lines.append(). Because I am working with a program that will be adding extra lines in, so i need it to be able to display the additional content!! Cheers for the speedy reply!

tfv Over a year ago

I have only used that all_line statement because I do not know where your data comes from, and how it looks like, so I have taken the printout you attached and constructed an all_lines from it. I assumed that your all_line already has the format which I am generating in the first three lines. Can you specify your all_lines in more detail? Have you tried just to skip my first three lines and use you all_lines?

S. Dixon Over a year ago

Certainly, my all_lines currently looks like this: 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])) I am pulling the information from a csv file.

tfv Over a year ago

I suggest that you put that code into your original post above, editing that original post. Can you copy part of your csv file into your post? What are the columns in your csv file?

S. Dixon Over a year ago

Edited the original post to contain the information you asked for.

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squid · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-10 05:01:27Z

0

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:

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

answered Apr 10, 2016 at 5:01

squid

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