Sorry to bring so much confusion to this problem. Let me explain my comment as to why I wanted to avoid math.

$file = 100+ lines of 12 field comma delimited text and numbers (text,text,num,num,num,...) there are no decimals in these numbers.

$bar = a number from 0 thru 9 that will be given to me by the third field in one 12 field comma delimited line. This number will determine the number of decimal spaces that the other fields in that same line will have.

$foo = numerical fields number 4 thru 8.

I thought I could say something like:
if $bar = x then put a "." x+1 characters in from the right of $foo.
as opposed to saying:

if $bar = 2 then $foo * .01 .. printf...
if $bar = 3 then $foo * .001 printf ...
if $bar = 4 then $foo * .0001 printf...

So this is why I thought that it would be easier not to do math.
I'm really sorry about not explaining myself properly.
Hope this helps.

In reply to Re: Help with decimals by La12
in thread Help with decimals by La12

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