/pycolumnize

Python module to align a simple (not nested) list in columns. Adapted from the routine of the same name inside cmd.py

Primary LanguagePythonMIT LicenseMIT

Pypi Installs Supported Python Versions

packagestatus

In showing a long lists, sometimes one would prefer to see the value arranged aligned in columns. Some examples include listing methods of an object, listing debugger commands, or showing a numeric array with data aligned.

This is a Python module to format a simple (i.e. not nested) list into aligned columns. A string with embedded newline characters is returned.

Setup

$ python
>>> import columnize

With String data

Each column is only as wide as necessary. By default, columns are separated by two spaces; one was not legible enough. Set colsep to adjust the string separate columns. Set displaywidth to set the line width.

>>> g = ('bibrons', 'golden', 'madascar', 'leopard', 'mourning', 'suras', 'tokay')
>>> print(columnize.columnize(g, displaywidth=15))
bibrons   suras
golden    tokay
madascar
leopard
mourning

>>> print(columnize.columnize(g, displaywidth=19, colsep=' | '))
bibrons  | mourning
golden   | suras
madascar | tokay
leopard

>>> print(columnize.columnize(g, displaywidth=18, colsep=' | ', ljust=False))
bibrons | suras
 golden | tokay
madascar
 leopard

Normally, consecutive items go down from the top to bottom from the left-most column to the right-most. If arrange_vertical is set false, consecutive items will go across, left to right, top to bottom.

With numeric data

>>> print(columnize.columnize(['1', '2', '3', '4'], displaywidth=6)) # => '1  3\n2  4\n'
1  3
2  4

>>> print(columnize.columnize(list(range(1,6)), displaywidth=8))
1  3  5
2  4

By default entries are left justified:

>>>  print(columnize.columnize(list(range(1,16)), displaywidth=10))

1  6   11
2  7   12
3  8   13
4  9   14
5  10  15

but you can change that with ljust or if arrange_array is set to True:

>>>  print(columnize.columnize(list(range(1,16)), displaywidth=10, ljust=False))
1   6  11
2   7  12
3   8  13
4   9  14
5  10  15

>>> print(columnize.columnize(list(range(1,5)), opts={'arrange_array':True, 'displaywidth':6}))
[1, 2
 3, 4]

Credits

This module (essentially one function) was adapted from a private method of the same name from Python's cmd module. Some adjustments and generalizations have been made.

pycolumnize for enterprise

Available as part of the Tidelift Subscription.

The maintainers of pycolumnize and thousands of other packages are working with Tidelift to deliver commercial support and maintenance for the open source dependencies you use to build your applications. Save time, reduce risk, and improve code health, while paying the maintainers of the exact dependencies you use. Learn more.

Security contact information

To report a security vulnerability, please use the Tidelift security contact and Tidelift will coordinate the fix and disclosure.

Other stuff

Authors: Rocky Bernstein rb@dustyfeet.com

License: MIT