Flags or modifiers modify the formatted output.
The following table lists all flags that can be used in a format specifier.
| Flag | Description | Format String | Argument | Formatted Text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| '-' | result is left justified. result is right justified when you do not use the '-' flag in a format specifier. | "'%6s'" "'%-6s'" | "Java" "Java" | ' Java' 'Java ' |
| '#' | The argument is formatted in alternate form depending on the conversion part. | "%x" "%#x" | 123456789 123456789 | 75bcd15 0x75bcd15 |
| '+' | The result will have a + sign for positive values. It applies only to numeric values. | "%d" "%+d" | 105 105 | 105 +105 |
| ' ' | The result contains a leading space for positive values. It applies only to numeric values. | "'%d'" "'% d'" | 105 105 | '105' ' 105' |
| '0' | The result is zero padded. It applies only to numeric values. | "'%6d'" "'%06d'" | 105 105 | ' 105' '000105' |
| ' , ' | The result contains a locale-specific grouping separator. It applied only to numeric values. | "%,d" "%,d" | 12345 12345 | 12,345 (US Locale) 12 345 (France locale) |
| '(' | The result is enclosed in parentheses for a negative number. It applies only to numeric values. | "%d" "%(d" | -2028 -2028 | -2028 (2028) |
| '<' | It causes the argument for the previous format specifier to be reused. It is mostly used in formatting dates and times. | "%s and %<s" | "Java" | Java and Java |
The valid use of a flag depends on the context of its use.