How to change the field width of an exponential notation?

Hi, Im trying to change the field width and the number of digits of the exponential, I will like to looks like enginnering notation:

3.45866636216603e+002

and what I get its:

3.45866636216603e+02

The formatSpec have the next form:

%21.14e

So, I dont know what Im doing wrong, its suppose to the total numbers before e its 21, 14 of them are located after the point. But doesnt seem to be like that.

[Stephen Cobeldick]

"...its suppose to the total numbers before e its 21"

The fieldwidth does not specify the number of digits, it specifies the total number of printed characters, including leading spaces, leading zeros, the significant digits, the decimal radix, the exponent character, the exponent digits, and any sign characters. All of these are included in the field width. If the number representation is shorter than the fieldwidth the output string will be padded with leading spaces or leading zeros.

Answer 1

[Stephen Cobeldick]

Given >=2 digits, ensure >=3 digits:

>> val = 3.45866636216603e2;
>> str = sprintf('%.14e',val)
str =
3.45866636216603e+02
>> str = regexprep(sprintf('%.14e',val),'(?<=\D)\d\d$','0$&')
str =
3.45866636216603e+020

Given >=1 digits, ensure >=3 digits:

>> str = regexprep(sprintf('%.14e',val),{'(?<=\D)\d$','(?<=\D)\d\d$'},'0$&')
str =
3.45866636216603e+020

A general solution that can provide any number of digits:

>> num = 3; % required number of digits
>> fun = @(s)sprintf('%0*u',num,sscanf(s,'%u'));
>> str = regexprep(sprintf('%.14e',val),'\d+$','${fun($&)}')
str =
3.45866636216603e+020

[Oscar Espinosa]

But the function "regexprep" just add a zero before the exponential. In the case that the the exponent is 100 or more:

>> val = 3.45866636216603e+100;
>> regexprep(sprintf('%.14e',val),'\d+$','0$0');
ans = 
3.45866636216603e+0100

There is another way to get the exponential? Or I have to use a cycle "if" for the recognition of the exponent.

[Stephen Cobeldick]

Please see my edited answer.

[Oscar Espinosa]

That really work it out. Thank you Stephen.