Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device is provided for dynamic data formatting during transmittal of generalized byte string data across a computer network. Remote server dynamically changes format of each column string data value from the result set separately, according to actual size of the string data value, and returns it to a client. Small-size data value is returned in a single network return message as varchar type, in-line with the rest of the query data. Medium-sized data value is retrieved without locators and streamed in multiple return network messages in a separate data object following the query data and in the same response. Large-size data value is retrieved using locators and returned as a progressive reference in pieces of specified size, where each piece of data value is separately transferred under client's control when needed, thus eliminating the need to buffer large amount of data.