What is a .EDI file?
An EDI file is a special kind of computer file used by businesses to send information to each other in a way that's easy for computers to understand. Think of it as a digital letter that companies send to each other, but instead of words, it's filled with data that follows certain rules so that computers can read it easily. This is really helpful because it makes sending important business information faster, cheaper, and with fewer mistakes than using traditional methods like mail, email, or fax.
EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange, which is just a fancy way of saying "computers exchanging information in a specific format." These files are saved in a simple text format, which means you can open them with basic text editing programs, but they're written in a special code according to different sets of rules, known as EDI standards. Some of these standards include cXML, xCBL, ebXML, CSV, ANSI X12, and EDIFACT, among others. Each of these standards has its own way of organizing the data, and they're used for different types of business documents, like orders, invoices, and shipping notices.
Because there are many different EDI standards, not all programs can open every type of EDI file. Some programs that can open these files include Microsoft Excel 365, Progress Stylus Studio, Etasoft Extreme Translator, and Etasoft EDI Validator. However, it's important to know which EDI standard the file uses to make sure you have the right program to open it.
When a company sends an EDI file, they need to make sure the company receiving it can read the specific EDI standard the file is in. This helps everything run smoothly and ensures that the important business information is understood correctly by both sides.
In simple terms, EDI files help businesses talk to each other quickly and clearly, making it easier to work together and get things done.
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