| File type | Description |
| Sequential | The simplest and most common. It is the equivalent of a common text file. Data in sequential files are delimited with the platform's end-of-line indicator (carriage return, line feed, or both). You can read the file with a text editor. |
| Random | The most useful for structured data. It is not readable except through LotusScript programs. This is the default. |
| Binary | The most complex. It requires detailed programming to manipulate, because access is defined at the level of bytes on the disk. |