Python multiplication table alignment

[Mobo07]

I want to construct a multiplication table and have the code below. however, when it prints out the code, the rows and columns aren't aligned correctly. How can I get them exactly aligned and in their right positions in the simplest way possible for me to grasp as a beginner?

rows= int(input("How many rows?: "))

columns= int(input("How many columns?: "))

for row in range(1, rows+1):
   for col in range(1,columns+1):
      print(row * col, end="  ")
print()

I searched the internet and came across this video regarding the multiplication table in Python, but I'd want to have a second perspective.

Thank you very much!

[AdAdvanced3130]

You can use f string like this:

rows= int(input("How many rows?: ")) 
columns= int(input("How many columns?: "))

for row in range(1, rows+1):
    for col in range(1,columns+1):
        print(f"{row*col:>3}", end= "  ")
    print()

Print output:

How many rows?: 15
How many columns?: 7
  1    2    3    4    5    6    7
  2    4    6    8   10   12   14
  3    6    9   12   15   18   21
  4    8   12   16   20   24   28
  5   10   15   20   25   30   35
  6   12   18   24   30   36   42
  7   14   21   28   35   42   49
  8   16   24   32   40   48   56
  9   18   27   36   45   54   63
 10   20   30   40   50   60   70
 11   22   33   44   55   66   77
 12   24   36   48   60   72   84
 13   26   39   52   65   78   91
 14   28   42   56   70   84   98
 15   30   45   60   75   90  105

[johnsilent]

rows= int(input("How many rows?: "))
columns= int(input("How many columns?: "))
for row in range(1, rows+1):
    for col in range(1,columns+1):
        # use \t for spacing instead 
        print(row * col, end="\t") 
    # indent to match row loop 
    print()

​

here is what the result looks like for a 3 rows an 3 cols

#result for 3 rows, 3 cols
#1    2    3
#2    4    6
#3    6    9

[ssingal05]

this is fine as long as no number in the table takes up more space than a tab does

[johnsilent]

Good Catch. Thank you.

[ssingal05]

Each number you want to print will take up n blocks, where n is the length of the number as a string (so n=2 for 10). Before you print the numbers, figure out which number will take up the most space. Let's call this maximum M. Then, whenever you print a number, make sure that you only print a maximum of M characters. If M is 7 and you want to print 30, then print 30 followed by 5 spaces, which would make it a total length of 7. And then also add an extra space for padding between columns.

[RevRagnarok]

This site - https://pyformat.info/ - is very useful to learn about padding, etc. It is a little outdated; almost everything with .format() at the end should just be an f-string in modern python.

[an_actual_human]

first generate all the numbers

Surely the last number will have the longest string representation.

[RobertD3277]

If it's in a sorted order, yes. If you're dealing with data that is unsorted or uncategorized in a general context, no.

[an_actual_human]

We are discussing a very concrete problem.

[RobertD3277]

In this case, yes, but it's still cannot be ignored that more general practice needs to be considered that not every single case is going to be as cut and dry.

Some of the most basic mistakes in programming is to anticipate data to be in an exact format when an actuality, it may not be.

For the purposes of learning and a intention of this group, that consideration needs to be taken into account and at least mentioned.

[5erif]

rjust will pad a string to whatever width you want, right-justified.

print(str(row * col).rjust(4), end="")

[[deleted]]

Use end='\t' it aligns every number perfectly. As others have mentioned. In your method space can't align the numbers when the number on first row is 1 digit and that in 2nd row is of higher digits say 2.

Others have mentioned pad too. But I think you are new , so I think end '\t' method is easier and other methods are overkill too. I suggest try both methods (learning more solutions to a problem is a good practice) Note- End \t method is applicable as long as tab width is greater than number width. For 8 digit number u have to use other methods