It seems to be that this is your input: 
my @row = (
'col1:line1
 col1:line2',

'col2:line1',

'col3:line1',

'col4:line1',

'col5:line1
 col5:line2',

'col6:line1
 col6:line2
 col6:line3
 col6:line4'
);

[download]
and this is the required output: 
col1:line1|col2:line1|col3:line1|col4:line1|col5:line1|col6:line1
col2:line2|          |          |          |col5:line2|col6:line2
          |          |          |          |          |col6:line3
          |          |          |          |          |col6:line4

[download]
Is that correct?

Please read you comment carefully before posting.

In reply to Re^5: perlform ^* variable field length by pme
in thread perlform ^* variable field length by Anonymous Monk

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