How to center string output using printf() and variable width? [java]

Question

I\'m creating an output in Java using printf() to create table headers. One of the columns needs variable width.

Basically it should look like this:

Answer 1

Use StringUtils.center from the Commons Lang library:

StringUtils.center(column, "Column Heading".length());

Answer 2

Java does not support the "*" format specifier. Instead, insert the width directly into the format string:

int spacing = numCoords * 7; //size of column
System.out.printf("Trial    %" + spacing + "s", "Column Heading");