Fixed Width to CSV Converter
Fixed-width (or column-aligned) text files are common in mainframe exports, government reports, and legacy system outputs. This converter detects column boundaries and splits aligned text into proper CSV rows.
About the fixed-width text to CSV format
Fixed-width files encode data in columns of predetermined character widths rather than delimiters. The converter analyzes whitespace patterns and column alignment to determine split points. Each row is divided into fields based on detected column widths, then output as comma-separated values.
Common use cases
- Converting a mainframe payroll report into CSV for a modern HR system import.
- Parsing a government statistical data file distributed in fixed-width format.
- Turning a legacy COBOL system export into spreadsheet-readable rows.
- Extracting data from a column-aligned log file for analysis.
How to use this tool
- Upload your fixed-width text file or paste the source content into the text box on this page.
- Click the convert button and wait for the browser to parse the input into consistent columns.
- Inspect the output preview — check row counts, column headers, and sample values before downloading.
- Download the result as CSV and continue with your spreadsheet, database, or reporting workflow.
Tips for best results
- Include a few header rows if present — they help the parser detect column widths.
- If columns are misaligned, try pasting a smaller sample first to verify the split points.
- Remove page headers, footers, and separator lines before pasting for cleaner results.
Common pitfalls
Files with variable-width columns or inconsistent spacing may not split correctly. If the preview looks wrong, check whether the source uses tabs instead of spaces — it may actually be tab-delimited rather than fixed-width.
For more background on data formats and conversion workflows, read our format guides or browse the converter blog for step-by-step walkthroughs linked to each tool.