Fixed Length Derived Field

[funscrapn]

I have created a fixed length derived field
Rtrim(fieldname, length) and am trying to save it as a txt file. However, when I save this as the txt file it is not retaining it's format, and does not seem to matter that I click the retain format button. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get this to work?
I am using Oracle and RS 3.10
Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[obiwaugh]

Please give an example of starting data, expected output, and actual output. What do you see in ReportSmith, and then what do you see in Excel.

 

[funscrapn]

Derived field: RTRIM("PS_PERSONAL_DATA"."NAME",30)
My Starting data is: Smith,Wendy L
My expected output is: Smith,Wendy L (with spaces after the L that would total 30 in length. If the name is longer than 30 it should cut off the name at 30)
My Actual output is: Smith,Wendy L (then when I save it to txt it tabs to the next field which starts the address (which will also need the same derived field)).
In Reportsmith I just see the data, I don't see that the spaces are there.
In Excel the columns are there, but I am not seeing the spaces. When I click in the field and go to the end of the name, it stops, there are no spaces. When I save it without retaining format and pull it up in hex editor I see the spaces, but they seem to be varying with the number of spaces
Thanks!!!!

 

[funscrapn]

I am now wondering if I should be using a Length function instead of a RTRIM. Does anyone have any input on that?
Thanks!