Message File Variable Length &1 Substitution Parameters

I would like to put a number in an error message as a substitution
parameter. I'll edit it into a character field first,

Then...

I want it to read nice, ie.
if the number is 115090 (say 11 long, 2 decimal)
i want it to appear in string as: 1,150.90 but
in a readable fashion

GOOD...:   Yadda yadda 1,150.90 sumtin else.
NO GOOD:   Yadda yadda     1,150.90 sumtin else.

Another time the number might be 187.25

I don't want to end up with:

NO GOOD: Yadda yadda       187.25 sumtin else.

which looks even more 'unprofessional'.



>From the work with messages msgfile screen:
-----------------------------------------------------------
                      Change Message Description (CHGMSGD)

 Type choices, press Enter.

 Message data fields formats:     _
   Data type  . . . . . . . . . .   *CHAR___      *SAME, *NONE, *QTDCHAR...
   Length . . . . . . . . . . . .   *VARY_        Number, *VARY
   *VARY bytes or dec pos . . . .   2_____        Number
                + for more values _
-----------------------------------------------------------


They give you the option to specify substitution parms
as being *VARY for size  BUT...

How da heck do I use it?

Message ID is.....: 'JBR0120'
Message text like.:  Yadda yadda &1 sumtin else.

We use a wrapper on the QHMSNDPM api to send messages to
 bottom of screen into a one line subfile that can hold
 multiple msgs and be scrolled.



Thanks.

John B.