File and Field Formats

This document covers the following topics:

Supported File Formats

You can convert data to and from the following formats:

Format Extension
ASCII *.ncd or any other extension not included in this table (for example, *.txt).
Basic *.prn
dBase III *.dbf. Labels are not supported.
Data Interchange Format *.dif
HTML *.htm or *.html. This is a specific HTML format that can also be opened with Excel.
Encryption *.enc
Excel *.xls (see Prerequisites in the Installation section for further information). Files that have been created with Excel 2007 or above (extension *.xlsx) cannot be converted.
Lotus without labels *.wks or *.wk1
Lotus with labels *.wkl
XML *.xml

Note:
Although Entire Connection supports binary files, you cannot convert them.

Unsupported File Formats

You cannot convert the following:

  • Binary files

  • Downloaded reports

  • Downloaded variable data records

  • Macro fields

  • Metadata

  • External file link fields

You cannot convert a file to the same format.

Overview of Field Formats in a Format File

The following field formats are available:

Format Description
An Alphanumeric format where n is a digit which is equal to or greater than 1. The maximum value which can be specified depends on your Natural version. See the Natural documentation for further information.
Bn Binary format where n is a digit which is equal to or greater than 1. The maximum value which can be specified depends on your Natural version. See the Natural documentation for further information.
F4 Floating point format with 4 bytes.
F8 Floating point format with 8 bytes.
In Integer format where n is 1, 2 or 4.
L1 Logical format.
Nn.x Numeric decimal format where n is a digit between 1 and 29 and x is a digit between 0 and 7. The sum of n and x cannot be greater than 29. (1 to 27 for Natural versions up to but not including 2.2.)

Packed data from the mainframe is represented as numeric data on the PC.