Output a Flat File
The Flat file (.flat) type is meant to be used with ASCII files (.asc) which contain fixed-length fields and optionally contain line ends to mark the end of records.
To output a flat text file...
Connect an Output Data tool to the data stream in the workflow.
Browse to the output file name and location and use the *.txt file extension when you name the file. In the file explorer, set Save as Type to Comma Separated Value (*.csv). Select Save.
In the tool Configuration window under Options, select Flat ASCII file (*.flat) from File Format.
This outputs 2 files:
The specified *.txt file
A layout description file with a *.flat extension
Use the *.flat file if you need to use the file as input in a subsequent workflow. Go to Flat Files for more information on flat files.