Tab formatting not displaying correctly in serial monitor

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

I have the code below being printed out of the serial monitor.

  Serial.print("Raw Value 1 = " ); // shows pre-scaled value
  Serial.print(RawValue1 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 1 = "); // shows the voltage measured
  Serial.print(Voltage1, 3); // the '3' after voltage allows you to display 3 digits after decimal point
  Serial.print("\t Amps 1 = ");
  Serial.print(Amps1, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power1 = ");
  Serial.print(Power1, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 2 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue2 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 2 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage2, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 2 = ");
  Serial.print(Amps2, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power2 = ");
  Serial.print(Power2, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 3 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue3 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 3 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage3, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 3 = ");
  Serial.print(Amps3, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power3 = ");
  Serial.print(Power3, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 4 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue4 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 4 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage4, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 4 = ");
  Serial.print(Amps4, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power4 = ");
  Serial.print(Power4, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 5 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue5 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 5 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage5, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 5 = "); 
  Serial.print(Amps5, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power5 = ");
  Serial.print(Power5, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 6 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue6 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 6 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage6, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 6 = "); 
  Serial.print(Amps6, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power6 = ");
  Serial.print(Power6, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 7 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue7 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 7 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage7, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 7 = "); 
  Serial.print(Amps7, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power7 = ");
  Serial.print(Power7, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 8 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue8 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 8 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage8, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 8 = "); 
  Serial.print(Amps8, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power8 = ");
  Serial.print(Power8, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.println();

This is what I am able to paste, but this is not how it’s displayed in the monitor window.
Please see screenshot below.

Any reasons why? Thanks.
If it helps I can paste the entire code.

Raw Value 1 = 493 mV 1 = 2409.580 Amps 1 = -0.026 Power1 = -0.634
Raw Value 2 = 497 mV 2 = 2429.130 Amps 2 = -0.026 Power2 = -0.634
Raw Value 3 = 492 mV 3 = 2404.692 Amps 3 = 0.000 Power3 = 0.000
Raw Value 4 = 492 mV 4 = 2404.692 Amps 4 = 0.000 Power4 = 0.000
Raw Value 5 = 496 mV 5 = 2424.242 Amps 5 = 0.000 Power5 = 0.000
Raw Value 6 = 494 mV 6 = 2414.467 Amps 6 = -0.026 Power6 = -0.634
Raw Value 7 = 496 mV 7 = 2424.242 Amps 7 = -0.079 Power7 = -1.902
Raw Value 8 = 491 mV 8 = 2399.804 Amps 8 = -0.053 Power8 = -1.268

Raw Value 1 = 492 mV 1 = 2404.692 Amps 1 = -0.053 Power1 = -1.268
Raw Value 2 = 497 mV 2 = 2429.130 Amps 2 = -0.026 Power2 = -0.634
Raw Value 3 = 491 mV 3 = 2399.804 Amps 3 = -0.026 Power3 = -0.634
Raw Value 4 = 493 mV 4 = 2409.580 Amps 4 = 0.026 Power4 = 0.634
Raw Value 5 = 496 mV 5 = 2424.242 Amps 5 = 0.000 Power5 = 0.000
Raw Value 6 = 494 mV 6 = 2414.467 Amps 6 = -0.026 Power6 = -0.634
Raw Value 7 = 497 mV 7 = 2429.130 Amps 7 = -0.053 Power7 = -1.268
Raw Value 8 = 490 mV 8 = 2394.917 Amps 8 = -0.079 Power8 = -1.902

Raw Value 1 = 493 mV 1 = 2409.580 Amps 1 = -0.026 Power1 = -0.634
Raw Value 2 = 496 mV 2 = 2424.242 Amps 2 = -0.053 Power2 = -1.268
Raw Value 3 = 490 mV 3 = 2394.917 Amps 3 = -0.053 Power3 = -1.268
Raw Value 4 = 491 mV 4 = 2399.804 Amps 4 = -0.026 Power4 = -0.634
Raw Value 5 = 494 mV 5 = 2414.467 Amps 5 = -0.053 Power5 = -1.268
Raw Value 6 = 494 mV 6 = 2414.467 Amps 6 = -0.026 Power6 = -0.634
Raw Value 7 = 498 mV 7 = 2434.018 Amps 7 = -0.026 Power7 = -0.634
Raw Value 8 = 489 mV 8 = 2390.029 Amps 8 = -0.106 Power8 = -2.536

Raw Value 1 = 493 mV 1 = 2409.580 Amps 1 = -0.026 Power1 = -0.634
Raw Value 2 = 497 mV 2 = 2429.130 Amps 2 = -0.026 Power2 = -0.634
Raw Value 3 = 490 mV 3 = 2394.917 Amps 3 = -0.053 Power3 = -1.268
Raw Value 4 = 492 mV 4 = 2404.692 Amps 4 = 0.000 Power4 = 0.000
Raw Value 5 = 495 mV 5 = 2419.355 Amps 5 = -0.026 Power5 = -0.634
Raw Value 6 = 494 mV 6 = 2414.467 Amps 6 = -0.026 Power6 = -0.634
Raw Value 7 = 497 mV 7 = 2429.130 Amps 7 = -0.053 Power7 = -1.268
Raw Value 8 = 490 mV 8 = 2394.917 Amps 8 = -0.079 Power8 = -1.902

serial monitor awkward.PNG
serial monitor awkward.PNG1161×855 74.2 KB

#2

Because some of your values are negative and have an additional character, they probably push your characters into the next tab "zone". Similar to what happens in Word or any other editor.

#3

Tabs don't know anything about absolute column numbers, it's all relative to them. If, as in your case, the end of a print character hovers about a tab mark, one character more or less will push you back and forth. The trick is to try and keep everything aligned up to that point.

Your issue is with the -ive sign for Amps. The easiest way, in my opinion, is to line up the decimal point. To do this, perform this simple test before each printing of the Amps value:

if (Ampsn >= 0) Serial.print(" "); // where 'n' is your index value from 1 to 8

Stick one of these between each of the

Serial.print("\t Amps 7 = "); Serial.print(Amps7, 3);

lines. That way, if Ampsn is non-negative a space will be printed instead of '-', the decimal points will line up and all the tabs will fall into place.

#4

Ok I'll try that out next.

Serial.print (abs(Power1), 3);

I tried that and it didn't work

#5

Works properly thanks... the read out is good now

  Serial.print("Raw Value 8 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue8 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 8 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage8, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 8 = ");
  if (Amps8 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" "); 
  Serial.print(Amps8, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power8 = ");
  Serial.print(Power8, 3);
  Serial.println();
#6

For reference:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

int mVperAmp = 185; // 185 (5A), 100 (20A), 66 (30A) mvperAmp value used, using ACS712 sensors
int testVoltage = 24;
const int numReadings = 64;

const int AIN1 = A1;
const int AIN2 = A2;
const int AIN3 = A3;
const int AIN4 = A4;
const int AIN5 = A5;
const int AIN6 = A6;
const int AIN7 = A7;
const int AIN8 = A8;

unsigned int RawValue1 = 0; // can hold up to 64 10-bit A/D readings
unsigned int RawValue2 = 0;
unsigned int RawValue3 = 0;
unsigned int RawValue4 = 0;
unsigned int RawValue5 = 0;
unsigned int RawValue6 = 0;
unsigned int RawValue7 = 0;
unsigned int RawValue8 = 0;

float ACSoffset1 = 2414.467;
float ACSoffset2 = 2424.242;
float ACSoffset3 = 2399.804;
float ACSoffset4 = 2409.580;
float ACSoffset5 = 2419.355;
float ACSoffset6 = 2414.467;
float ACSoffset7 = 2429.130;
float ACSoffset8 = 2409.580;

float Voltage1 = 0;
float Voltage2 = 0;
float Voltage3 = 0;
float Voltage4 = 0;
float Voltage5 = 0;
float Voltage6 = 0;
float Voltage7 = 0;
float Voltage8 = 0;

float Amps1 = 0;
float Amps2 = 0;
float Amps3 = 0;
float Amps4 = 0;
float Amps5 = 0;
float Amps6 = 0;
float Amps7 = 0;
float Amps8 = 0;

float Power1 = 0;
float Power2 = 0;
float Power3 = 0;
float Power4 = 0;
float Power5 = 0;
float Power6 = 0;
float Power7 = 0;
float Power8 = 0;

const int rs = 8, en = 9, d4 = 4, d5 = 5, d6 = 6, d7 = 7;
LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7); // initialize library and associate LCD pins with Arduino pins

unsigned long TOn = 120000; // delay time to turn relay on/off (60,000 ms = 1 minute)
unsigned long TOff = 10000; 

void setup () {
  lcd.begin(16, 2); // LCD's columns and rows: 16 columns, 2 rows
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0); // Printing position on lcd screen is column 0, row 0
  Serial.begin(9600);

  lcd.print("On:");
  lcd.print(TOn/60000);
  lcd.print("m");
  lcd.print(",");
  lcd.print("Off:");
  lcd.print(TOff/60000);
  lcd.print("m");

  DDRA = B11111111; // set PORTA (digital 22-29) to outputs

  int maxnumber = 5; // set cycle count

  for (int count = 0; count < maxnumber;) //Counter will stop counting after certain amount of cycles
  {
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1); //clears lcd before incrementing to next number
    count++;
    lcd.print("Cycle Count:");
    lcd.print(count);

    PORTA = B00000000;

    ReadCurrent();

    delay(TOn/4); //relay on time
    
    ReadCurrent();

    delay(TOn/4);

    ReadCurrent();

    delay(TOn/4);

    ReadCurrent();

    delay(TOn/4);

    ReadCurrent();
    
    PORTA = B11111111;
    
    delay(TOff); //relay off time
  }
  DDRA = B00000000;
}

void loop(void){
  }

void ReadCurrent()
{
for (int x = 0; x < numReadings; x++) // 64 analogue readings for averaging
  {
    RawValue1 = RawValue1 + analogRead(AIN1); // add each A/D reading to a total
    RawValue2 = RawValue2 + analogRead(AIN2);
    RawValue3 = RawValue3 + analogRead(AIN3);
    RawValue4 = RawValue4 + analogRead(AIN4);
    RawValue5 = RawValue5 + analogRead(AIN5);
    RawValue6 = RawValue6 + analogRead(AIN6);
    RawValue7 = RawValue7 + analogRead(AIN7);
    RawValue8 = RawValue8 + analogRead(AIN8);
  }
  
  Voltage1 = ((RawValue1 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000; // Gets you mV
  Voltage2 = ((RawValue2 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  Voltage3 = ((RawValue3 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  Voltage4 = ((RawValue4 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  Voltage5 = ((RawValue5 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  Voltage6 = ((RawValue6 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  Voltage7 = ((RawValue7 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  Voltage8 = ((RawValue8 / numReadings) / 1023.0) * 5000;
  
  Amps1 = ((ACSoffset1 - Voltage1) / mVperAmp);
  Amps2 = ((ACSoffset2 - Voltage2) / mVperAmp);
  Amps3 = ((ACSoffset3 - Voltage3) / mVperAmp);
  Amps4 = ((ACSoffset4 - Voltage4) / mVperAmp);
  Amps5 = ((ACSoffset5 - Voltage5) / mVperAmp);
  Amps6 = ((ACSoffset6 - Voltage6) / mVperAmp);
  Amps7 = ((ACSoffset7 - Voltage7) / mVperAmp);
  Amps8 = ((ACSoffset8 - Voltage8) / mVperAmp);

  Power1 = Amps1 * testVoltage;
  Power2 = Amps2 * testVoltage;
  Power3 = Amps3 * testVoltage;
  Power4 = Amps4 * testVoltage;
  Power5 = Amps5 * testVoltage;
  Power6 = Amps6 * testVoltage;
  Power7 = Amps7 * testVoltage;
  Power8 = Amps8 * testVoltage;  

  Serial.print("Raw Value 1 = " ); // shows pre-scaled value
  Serial.print(RawValue1 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 1 = "); // shows the voltage measured
  Serial.print(Voltage1, 3); // the '3' after voltage allows you to display 3 digits after decimal point
  Serial.print("\t Amps 1 = ");
  if (Amps1 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" ");
  Serial.print(Amps1, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power1 = ");
  Serial.print (Power1, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 2 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue2 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 2 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage2, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 2 = ");
  if (Amps2 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" ");
  Serial.print(Amps2, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power2 = ");
  Serial.print(Power2, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 3 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue3 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 3 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage3, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 3 = ");
  if (Amps3 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" ");
  Serial.print(Amps3, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power3 = ");
  Serial.print(Power3, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 4 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue4 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 4 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage4, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 4 = ");
  if (Amps4 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" ");
  Serial.print(Amps4, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power4 = ");
  Serial.print(Power4, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 5 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue5 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 5 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage5, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 5 = ");
  if (Amps5 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" "); 
  Serial.print(Amps5, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power5 = ");
  Serial.print(Power5, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 6 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue6 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 6 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage6, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 6 = ");
  if (Amps6 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" "); 
  Serial.print(Amps6, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power6 = ");
  Serial.print(Power6, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 7 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue7 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 7 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage7, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 7 = "); 
  if (Amps7 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" "); 
  Serial.print(Amps7, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power7 = ");
  Serial.print(Power7, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.print("Raw Value 8 = " );
  Serial.print(RawValue8 / numReadings);
  Serial.print("\t mV 8 = ");
  Serial.print(Voltage8, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Amps 8 = ");
  if (Amps8 >= 0) 
  Serial.print(" "); 
  Serial.print(Amps8, 3);
  Serial.print("\t Power8 = ");
  Serial.print(Power8, 3);
  Serial.println();

  Serial.println();
  
  RawValue1 = 0; // reset value
  RawValue2 = 0;
  RawValue3 = 0;
  RawValue4 = 0;
  RawValue5 = 0;
  RawValue6 = 0;
  RawValue7 = 0;
  RawValue8 = 0;
  
  delay(1000);
}
#7