Use variable in printf format specifier Java

Question

I am making a basic spreadsheet program, and by default I have the cell width set to 12 spaces. I am using printf to do this.

System.out.printf("%12s|", rowsAndColumns[i][j]);

How can I do something like.

System.out.printf("%cellWidths|", rowsAndColumns[i][j]);

Is this even possible?

Thanks.

See answers to [How can I pad a String in Java?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/388461/how-can-i-pad-a-string-in-java). — PM 77-1, Dec 26 '13 at 22:18
@Nick are you creating a spreadsheet that writes to the standard output? I think you ought to be using a GUI for that, isn't it? — prmottajr, Dec 26 '13 at 22:19
The spreadsheet isn't using a GUI, its using print statements to print the rows and columns. — , Dec 26 '13 at 22:21

Bhesh Gurung · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-26T22:39:35.680

3

I don't think what you are looking for is possible.

But why don't you do it as follows -

System.out.printf("%" + cellWidths + "|", rowsAndColumns[i][j]);

edited Dec 26 '13 at 22:39

answered Dec 26 '13 at 22:22

Bhesh Gurung

1 Answers1