I also tried using sprintf, but if the data is longer than intended, the line becomes too long.

You do know you can specify the maximum width? 

printf "%2.2s>%32.32s<\n", 
    $_, 'x' x $_ for 30 .. 34, 99..101;;
30>  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
31> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
32>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
33>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
34>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
99>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
10>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<
10>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<

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In reply to Re: Format, empty vars, and fixed-width records by BrowserUk
in thread Format, empty vars, and fixed-width records by kwaping

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