Can we use String.format() to pad/prefix with a character with desired length?

Question

Can java.lang.String.format(String str, String str1) be used for adding prefix of a particular character.

I could do this for a number like:

Answer 1

I just add some Java 8 code if someone need it in future:

public class App {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(leftpad("m m", 2, '@'));
        System.out.println(leftpad("m m", 5, '@'));
    }

    static String leftpad(String s, int nb, char pad) {
        return Optional.of(nb - s.length())
                .filter(i -> i > 0)
                .map(i-> String.format("%" + i + "s", "").replace(" ", pad + "") + s)
                .orElse(s);
    }

}

This version supports adding any char as padding