# Fixed-Width Column Parser

Parse fixed-width text with explicit or inferred field boundaries, character or UTF-8 byte positions, schemas, and anomaly reports.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/fixed-width-column-parser

- **Category:** Text Processing

- **Keywords:** text, fixed width, parser, columns, schema, ETL

## Overview

Fixed-Width Column Parser converts aligned text records into structured JSON using an explicit schema or inferred field boundaries. Choose character or UTF-8 byte positions, optionally treat the first row as headers, trim values, and review parsed rows with anomaly information.

## Inputs

- **Text Input** (textarea): Paste fixed-width records...
- **Parse Mode** (select)
- **Schema JSON** (textarea): \[{"name":"id","start":0,"end":5}\]
- **Position Mode** (select)
- **First row is header** (checkbox)
- **Trim field values** (checkbox)

## When to use

- Parse legacy fixed-width reports into named fields for ETL workflows.
- Use a known schema when field start and end positions are documented.
- Inspect aligned text with inferred columns and identify extra or inconsistent data.

## How it works

- Paste the fixed-width records into the Text Input field.
- Select Schema to use Schema JSON, or select Infer to derive boundaries from aligned whitespace.
- Choose character positions or UTF-8 byte positions for field boundaries.
- Optionally mark the first row as a header and trim field values, then review the structured JSON result and anomaly report.

## Use cases

- Convert fixed-width operational reports into structured records for data preparation.
- Parse text exports with documented field ranges and named schemas.
- Validate aligned records by detecting trailing data and other parsing anomalies.

## Frequently asked questions

### What input does the parser accept?

It accepts fixed-width text records pasted into the Text Input field.

### Can I define the columns manually?

Yes. Select Schema and provide JSON fields with names plus start and end positions.

### Can the tool infer column boundaries?

Yes. Select Infer to derive boundaries from aligned whitespace in the text.

### Are positions measured in characters or bytes?

You can choose Characters or UTF-8 bytes with the Position Mode setting.

### What does the output contain?

The JSON result includes the resolved or inferred schema, parsed rows, a preview, and an anomaly report.

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## Related content

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