One-character padding to a target width
The op is JavaScript's `String.prototype.padStart(width, char)`. Every line shorter than Width is extended on the left with the Pad char until it hits Width. Lines already at or above Width are emitted unchanged - left padding never truncates.
Only the first character of the Pad char field is used. If you type `abc`, padding uses `a`. If you leave the field blank, padding falls back to a single space.
Right-pads (trailing fill) use Right pad. For leading whitespace without a target width (all lines get the same indent), use Indent.
How to use left pad list items
- 1Paste your list into the input panel
- 2Set Width - the target character count (default `8`)
- 3Set Pad char - a single character used to fill (default space)
- 4Lines shorter than Width get the Pad char prepended until they reach Width
- 5Lines already at or above Width are emitted unchanged
Keyboard shortcuts
Drive ListShift without touching the mouse.
What this tool actually does
Fixed-width left-fill. That is it.
Zero-pad for IDs and timestamps
Width `6`, Pad char `0` turns `1` / `23` / `456` into `000001` / `000023` / `000456`. Useful for ticket IDs, zero-padded dates, or filename-safe sort keys.
Space-pad for right-aligned numeric columns
Width `5`, Pad char space aligns numeric values by rightmost digit - great for monospace readouts or terminal output.
Dot-leader for ToC-style alignment
Width `20`, Pad char `.` produces `...........Chapter 1`. Pair with Add a suffix for `Chapter 1...page 5` layouts.
Only the first character of Pad char is used
If you paste `ab` into Pad char, padding uses `a`. Blank Pad char falls back to a space.
Lines at or above Width pass through
Left padding never truncates. A line longer than Width is emitted as-is.
Worked example
Width `5`, Pad char space. Every line padded to 5 characters from the left.
1 23 456 7890
1 23 456 7890
Settings reference
How each option shapes the output using the sample above.
| Setting | What it does | Effect on the sample |
|---|---|---|
| Width: `5`, Pad char: space (default-ish) | Right-aligns to 5 chars | ` 1` / ` 23` / ` 456` / ` 7890` |
| Width: `6`, Pad char: `0` | Zero-pads to 6 digits | `000001` / `000023` / `000456` / `007890` |
| Width: `3`, Pad char: space | Line already at or above 3 → unchanged | ` 1` / ` 23` / `456` / `7890` (last two unchanged) |
| Pad char: `abc` | Only first character used - `a` | `aaaa1` / `aaa23` / … (with Width 5) |
| Blank-line behaviour (automatic) | Empty line becomes Width × Pad char | Empty line → ` ` (5 spaces, with Width 5) |