Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing a component such as a processor on a programmable chip efficient access to properly transformed data an embedded memory. Circuitry is provided with the read data port associated with an embedded memory. The circuitry can be used to perform both static bit width configuration of an embedded memory as well as perform data transformation or data alignment of embedded memory read data. The circuitry can allow efficient data transformations including selection of half words and bytes as well as perform sign extension and zero extension of memory read data.