Extract of data from General Ledger

Hi,

Is there a standard way to extract data from the general ledger that can be saved in a .txt file without having to write a specific extract report?

The reasoning is we are using a third party software to reconcile a control account that will contain thousands of lines.  There will be two file inputs into the control account - sales CR sales DR control a/c and banking CR bank DR control a/c.  I need to get an extract from the control account to reconcile.

Thanks

Jon