Different File Formats in an EDI System

An EDI system processes multiple file formats to facilitate seamless B2B (Business-to-Business) transactions. These formats are used for data transformation, integration, and communication between trading partners, ERPs, and enterprise applications.

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Standardized EDI Formats (Structured Formats)

These formats are globally recognized and follow specific industry standards.

File Format	Description
X12 (EDI ANSI X12)	Fixed-format EDI standard used mainly in North America.
EDIFACT	International EDI standard for structured data exchange.
TRADACOMS	UK-based EDI format, mostly replaced by EDIFACT.
VDA	German automotive industry format.
OFTP2 (VDA-Based)	Used for file exchange in the automotive sector.
RosettaNet (PIP XML)	XML-based EDI for high-tech & semiconductor industries.
PEPPOL BIS	XML-based European public procurement format.

Custom EDI File Formats

Some organizations use custom file formats to exchange data with legacy systems.

File Format	Description
Flat File (Fixed-Length or Delimited)	Non-standardized format where fields are separated by a delimiter (e.g., Pipe `
CSV (Comma-Separated Values)	Commonly used to transfer purchase orders, invoices, and shipments.
Positional Flat Files	Data is stored in fixed-width columns without delimiters.

Modern EDI & API-Based Formats

With cloud-based EDI and API integration, newer formats are widely used for real-time transactions.

File Format	Description
XML (eXtensible Markup Language)	Hierarchical structure for B2B data exchange.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)	Lightweight format for API-based EDI transactions.
IDoc (SAP Intermediate Document)	SAP’s proprietary format for internal & external EDI communication.