One format that comes to mind when talking about EDI streams is XML where the data is presented using tags and rules that can be customized. They are used mainly at the entrance (inputs) or exit (outputs) of the information system.Įxample: The interface files of ERP software, such as SAP, CEGID or SAGE, are flat files. Our interest in flat files is due to their ease of importing or exporting information, but they are also often small and lighten the volumes of computerized transactions. For example, a comma placed in an address field would be interpreted as a separator and would shift the entire file playback. Tip: Be careful not to use the separator character when inputting data into a variable-sized flat file. This is the case for one of the two possible formats of Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) software: iDocs.Ī fixed flat file must be accompanied by a complete description containing the position, length, type (digital or alphanumeric), and content of each data field. This is called a Fixed Flat File (or FFF). When each field has a predetermined number of characters, there is no need to separate the data by a character. It is difficult for an EDI platform to interpret. Tip: Be careful not to confuse a CSV file with an Excel spreadsheet (.xls). The specification document for a flat, variable-sized file describes each type of line, the sequence of the data fields, their numerical (or alphanumeric) type, and the file content. CSV format is the best-known example of this. Variable flat filesĪ Variable-Sized Flat File (VFF) is when the data are separated from each other by a particular character such as a semicolon, vertical line, or tabulation. Tip: For good file recognition between different operating systems, consider converting to the appropriate format when transferring the file. The definition of end-of-line characters (a line break) is different for Unix or Windows operating systems. Retail lines comprise commercial documents, such as lines of invoices or orders. Head lines indicate what information is held within entire documents. This type of EDI file potentially contains several sorts of records, such as head lines and retail lines. Simple EDI file formats: variable and fixed flat files What is a flat file?Ī flat file is the most universal format for EDI files during the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents or data. Going paperless is an effective way to simplify your company’s administrative tasks.įrom simple flat files to standardized structured files, are a multitude of electronic formats are available to exchange commercial documents between you and your clients, and between your business’s departments. Sending files is the basic principle of computerized data exchange, whether upstream or downstream from the EDI platform.
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