Spacing in String.Format()

Question

I want fixed spacing between words in a string similar to what you have in a datagrid.

I tried:

string item = String.Format("{0,-9}{1,-42}{2,-24}{3,0}", ++i, itemName, itemQuantity, totalItemPrice.ToString("#,##0.00") + System.Environment.NewLine);

But since the itemName length is varaible itemQuantity and totalItemPrice do not maintain their positions and get pushed forward.

The string is subsequently assigned to a RichTextBox.

Well i can't use "\t" since I get either too much or too little indentation. {0,-9) adds padding to the right — kr13, Sep 20 '13 at 12:07
@MatthewWatson No. Do you think that could be causing the problem? — kr13, Sep 20 '13 at 12:12
@kr13 You will not be able to line things up with a proportional font using string.Format() unless you are only displaying digits (which all have the same width even in a proportional font). Since you are using RTF, you may be able to use a table. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8349827/using-tables-in-rtf — Matthew Watson, Sep 20 '13 at 12:25
Matthew Watson is right - the 'item' strings _are_ lined up, it is the display which is wrong. Use a mono-spaced font (e.g. Courier) or table, as recommended. — n4m16, Sep 20 '13 at 12:29
@MatthewWatson Thanks for the help. Can you add your comment as an answer? — kr13, Sep 20 '13 at 12:35

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:28

You can use string.Format() to line things up if you are using a monospaced (fixed-pitch) font.

However, you will not be able to line things up with a proportional font using string.Format() unless you are only displaying digits (which all have the same width even in a proportional font).

Since you are using RTF, you may be able to use a table if you need to use a proportional font.

See here for some more information: Using Tables in RTF

But the easiest solution is just to use a monospaced font, if you can.

Jigna · Answer 2 · 2013-09-20T12:35:11.650

1

You can do like this:

I have just modified the way you have used the values and I can get the data displayed as data grid.

 string itemName = "phone";

 int itemQuantity = 5, totalItemPrice=50;

 string item = String.Format("{0,-2}{1,-10}{2,-5}{3,-5}", ++i, itemName, itemQuantity, totalItemPrice.ToString("#,##0.00")+System.Environment.NewLine);

edited Sep 20 '13 at 12:35

answered Sep 20 '13 at 12:22

Jigna

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Is it the correct way as you want to do or else some specific way you want to display your data? – Jigna Sep 20 '13 at 12:29
I does not seem to work for me. Can you tell me what font you used? Also did you get the result displayed in a richtextbox? – kr13 Sep 20 '13 at 12:29
Actually you want which type of font? – Jigna Sep 20 '13 at 12:30
Thanks for your help Jigna but the problem is solved. I had to use a monospace font – kr13 Sep 20 '13 at 12:40

Spacing in String.Format()

2 Answers2