A tool for standardized layout transformations of BIDI data exchanged between legacy and modern systems is provided. The tool retrieves client connection information from a client request for data. The tool determines, based, at least in part, on the client connection information, a client application's operating system. The tool determines whether the data requested in the client request is BIDI data. Responsive to a determination that the data requested is BIDI data, the tool initiates a layout transformation of the data requested at a single point within the database server. The tool returns transformed BIDI data to the client application.