Convert CSV to Fixed-Width Text Format
Convert CSV data into fixed-width positional text with configurable column widths, padding characters, and alignment options.
Detailed Explanation
CSV to Fixed-Width Conversion
When you need to produce fixed-width output — for example, to feed data into a mainframe, generate a banking file, or create a print-ready report — this converter takes standard CSV input and pads each field to the exact width required.
Example CSV Input
Name,Amount,Status
Alice,1234.56,Active
Bob,78.90,Inactive
Charlie,45678.12,Active
Column Configuration
| Column | Width | Alignment | Pad Char |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | 15 | Left | Space |
| Amount | 12 | Right | Space |
| Status | 10 | Left | Space |
Fixed-Width Output
Alice 1234.56Active
Bob 78.90Inactive
Charlie 45678.12Active
Padding and Alignment
- Left alignment pads with spaces (or zeros) on the right side of the value
- Right alignment pads on the left — common for numeric fields
- Zero padding is useful for financial file formats where
0000123.45is required - Values longer than the column width are truncated to fit
Handling Special Cases
The converter uses the CSV header row to match columns to your definitions. If a CSV column does not match any defined column name, it is skipped. If a defined column has no matching CSV header, its output positions are filled with the padding character.
Use Case
Generating fixed-width output files for mainframe batch processing, banking file formats (ACH/NACHA), or creating formatted reports with precise column alignment.