Comma-separated values

Commas separate column values, and each line is a separate record. Column values can vary in length. These files often have the .CSV extension.

Tab-separated values

Tabs separate column values, and each line is a separate record. Column values can vary in length.

Character-separated values

Any printable character except single and double quotes can separate column values, and each line is a separate record. Column values can vary in length.

Fixed

No character separates column values. Instead, values start at the same position and have the same length in each line. The values appear in fixed columns if you display the file. Each line is a separate record.

Stream

No character separates column values nor records. The table is one long stream of bytes.