You can use a fixed-width flat file as a source or target in mappings and

mapping

tasks. When you select a flat file connection for a Source transformation or Target transformation, you specify the flat file type. If you select the fixed-width flat file type, you select the most appropriate fixed-width file format to use based on the data in the fixed-width flat file.

You can create multiple fixed-width file formats. For example, you might have a fixed-width file format to use for fixed-width flat files that contain quarterly sales data and another fixed-width file format to use for fixed-width flat files that contain inventory data.

If a fixed-width file format does not already exist, you must create a fixed-width file format before you create a mapping or

mapping

task that uses a fixed-width flat file.

To configure a fixed-width file format, you specify the number of columns and the width, name, and datatype for each column. You can also set advanced fixed-width format properties. For example, you can specify how to handle null characters or specify the default date format for each column.

You can delete fixed-width file formats that you no longer use. You cannot delete a fixed-width file format that is used in a mapping or

mapping

task.