#! perl -slw use strict; #open DATA, "test2.txt" or die "Cant open file"; print "Receiptno. Consumer name Consumer no. Subdivision Type of work Phase Cheque no. Amount"; printf "%-11s %-23s %-12s %-14s %-16s %-10s %-11s %-14.2f\n", m[ ( [0-9\.]+ )\s+ ( \S+ (?: \s \S+ )? ) \s+ ( [0-9\.]+ )\s+ ( \S+ (?: \s \S+ )? ) \s+ ( \S+ (?: \s \S+ )? ) \s+ ( \S+ (?: \s \S+ )? ) \s+ ( [0-9\.]+ ) \s+ ( \S+ (?: \s \S+ )? ) \s+ ]x while ; __DATA__ 127 Stella Somethinglong 2345 Petersburg New service Single 23456 1330.00 128 Sandra 4567 Elm Street Replacement Three 23445 4800.00 129 Tessa Barry 2345 Bakersville New service Single 37456 1330.00