Python: Evenly space output data with varying string lengths

Question

I am trying to get my output data to look like this:

-------------------------------------------------------
            Grade Report for Programs 
---------         


        

Answer 1

I find it simpler to use Python's builtin C-style formatting:

>>> print("%-30s %4.1f" % ("Jacobson, Mark", 19.0))
Jacobson, Mark                 19.0
>>> 

Note that a negative field width indicates that the field is to be left-justified.