EDI Guides & Tutorials

Learn how to read, understand, and process EDI files for major retailers. Free guides from PlainEDI experts.

47 comprehensive guides available

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Retailer Guides

5 Best Ways to Read Walmart EDI Files in 2025 | PlainEDI

Complete comparison of 5 methods to read Walmart EDI files: Retail Link GEM, PlainEDI converter, text editors, Excel VBA, and full EDI software. Speed, cost, and best use cases for each.

22 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Amazon Vendor Central EDI Processing: 850, 856, 810 Compliance Guide | PlainEDI

Complete guide to Amazon Vendor Central EDI: convert 850 purchase orders to CSV, submit 856 ASNs within 4 hours, avoid shortage chargebacks. 30-day dispute window.

18 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

Best Buy EDI Requirements for Vendors 2025 | PlainEDI

Complete guide to Best Buy EDI compliance requirements: mandatory 850, 860, 810, 824, 856, 997 transaction sets, 24-hour 997 acknowledgment rule, testing procedures, and vendor master agreement.

15 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

Common Edi 850 Validation Errors And Fixes | PlainEDI

Learn more about EDI processing and compliance.

15 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Common Errors in Walmart EDI Files and How to Fix Them | PlainEDI

Learn how to identify and fix common Walmart EDI errors including 997 rejections, 824 application advice errors, invalid UPCs, missing GLNs, and SSCC issues.

15 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

Converting EDI Files for Accounting Software: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks | PlainEDI

Import Walmart, Target, Amazon EDI purchase orders (850) and invoices (810) into QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks. Convert EDI to CSV for easy accounting import.

18 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Understanding Costco EDI Requirements for Vendors | PlainEDI

Complete 2024-2025 guide to Costco EDI compliance. Learn mandatory 850, 856, 810 requirements, GS1-128 labeling, SPS Commerce certification, and how to avoid chargebacks.

13 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

EDI 810 Invoice Processing: Avoiding Three-Way Match Failures | PlainEDI

Complete guide to EDI 810 invoice processing and three-way matching. Learn how retailers match 850 POs, 856 ASNs, and 810 invoices to prevent chargebacks.

20 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

EDI 850 vs 855 vs 856: Complete Guide for Vendors | PlainEDI

Understand the differences between EDI 850 Purchase Orders, 855 PO Acknowledgments, and 856 ASNs. Learn the complete workflow sequence and when to use each transaction type.

11 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

EDI Conversion for 3PL Warehouses: Processing 850 POs & 856 ASNs Without Full EDI Software | PlainEDI

Complete 3PL warehouse EDI guide: convert customer 850 purchase orders to CSV, integrate with WMS, generate 856 ASNs, manage multi-client EDI requirements. Affordable alternative to full EDI integration.

15 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

EDI Software vs Simple CSV Converter: Which Do You Need? | PlainEDI

Compare full EDI software ($500-$5000/mo) vs simple CSV converters ($99/mo). Learn when you need SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce or just a file converter like PlainEDI.

19 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

EDI to CSV for Dropshippers: Walmart, Target, Amazon Direct Fulfillment Guide | PlainEDI

Complete dropshipping EDI guide: convert 850 purchase orders to CSV, submit 856 ASN via retailer portals, manage Walmart DSV, Amazon Direct Fulfillment, Target Plus dropship compliance. 3PL integration workflow.

19 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

EDI to CSV for Small Business Vendors: Affordable Retailer Compliance | PlainEDI

Small business vendors: meet Walmart, Target, Amazon EDI requirements without $500/mo software. Convert EDI 850/856/810 to CSV for $99/mo. Step-by-step compliance guide.

17 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

EDI to CSV vs Manual Processing: Time & Cost Comparison 2025 | PlainEDI

Compare EDI to CSV conversion vs manual processing: 30 seconds vs 2-4 hours per file, $3.90 vs $37.45 per order. See real ROI calculations and time savings for retail suppliers.

14 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

EDI VAN vs Direct AS2 Connection: Cost & Performance Comparison 2025 | PlainEDI

Compare EDI VANs vs direct AS2 connections for retail suppliers: costs, speed, technical requirements, and which major retailers require AS2. SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce, Walmart AS2 mandate.

15 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

Excel Won\

Fix

19 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

Fixing Edi 810 Invoice Discrepancies | PlainEDI

This guide explains how to identify, debug, fix, and prevent common EDI 810 invoice discrepancies such as missing IT1 line items (IT1-Required) and total amount

15 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

How Freight Forwarders Use EDI to CSV Conversion | 204, 211, 214 Guide

Complete guide: freight forwarder EDI workflows (204 load tender, 211 bill of lading, 214 shipment status, 990 response). TMS integration, customs compliance, carrier coordination via CSV conversion.

20 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How to Convert Target EDI to Excel Spreadsheet | PlainEDI

Convert Target EDI files (850 POs, 856 ASNs, 810 invoices) to Excel CSV format. Learn Target\

7 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

How To Fix Edi 856 Hierarchy Errors | PlainEDI

EDI 856 hierarchy errors usually come from incorrect parent/child relationships, missing or duplicated hierarchy levels, or mismatched identifiers between ...

11 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How to Import Home Depot EDI Purchase Orders into QuickBooks | PlainEDI

Step-by-step guide: import Home Depot 850 PO into QuickBooks Online/Desktop. Convert EDI to CSV, map fields, avoid $1,000 missing ASN penalty. Works with SaasAnt, Dancing Numbers.

19 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How to Open Walmart EDI Files Without Special Software | PlainEDI

Step-by-step guide: open Walmart EDI files (850, 856, 810) using Notepad, TextEdit, or Excel. Learn X12 delimiters, format structure, and convert to CSV instantly.

19 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How to Parse Amazon EDI Invoice Files (810) | PlainEDI

Step-by-step guide to parsing Amazon Vendor Central EDI 810 invoice files. Learn invoice segments (BIG, N1, IT1, TDS, CAD) and avoid chargebacks for price mismatches.

13 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

How to Process EDI 846 Inventory Reports | Complete Guide

Learn how to read and process EDI 846 inventory inquiry/advice transactions. Understand stock levels, on-hand quantities, and inventory updates for Walmart and Target.

15 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How to Read Target EDI 850 Purchase Order Files | PlainEDI

Complete guide to reading Target 850 PO files: TCIN, department number, fill rate requirements, Perfect Order Program (May 2025), $0.75/carton ASN penalty. Convert to CSV instantly.

23 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How to Read a Walmart EDI 850 File - Complete Guide | PlainEDI

Step-by-step guide to reading and understanding Walmart 850 Purchase Order EDI files. Learn critical fields like MABD dates, department numbers, and ship-to locations.

6 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

How to Validate EDI Files Before Sending | PlainEDI

Best practices for validating EDI files before transmission. Learn syntax checks, segment validation, UPC/GTIN check digits, SSCC verification, and date format rules.

16 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

EDI Integration with ERP Systems: QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP Guide | PlainEDI

Complete guide to integrating EDI with ERP systems like QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics. Learn automated data flow, mapping requirements, and integration options.

16 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

PlainEDI vs Full EDI Software (SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce): Which Do You Need? | PlainEDI

Compare PlainEDI simple CSV conversion ($99/mo unlimited) vs full EDI software like SPS Commerce ($750+/mo) and TrueCommerce ($500-$5K/mo). When do small vendors need full EDI vs simple conversion?

22 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

PlainEDI vs Open Source EDI Tools (Bots, EdiFabric): Free vs Paid Comparison | PlainEDI

Compare PlainEDI ($99/mo SaaS) vs open source EDI tools like Bots EDI, EdiFabric, and x12-parser. Free software vs paid service: setup time, hosting costs, maintenance, technical requirements, and 5-year TCO.

21 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

PlainEDI vs Orderful vs SPS Commerce: Which EDI Solution for Your Business Size? | PlainEDI

Compare PlainEDI ($99/mo CSV conversion), Orderful ($1,999/mo modern API platform), and SPS Commerce ($750+/mo managed service). Choose the right EDI solution based on volume, trading partners, and technical needs.

20 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

How to Read EDI 997 Functional Acknowledgments | Complete Guide

Learn how to interpret EDI 997 functional acknowledgments. Understand AK1, AK2, AK3, AK4, AK5 segments, error codes, and how to fix rejected transactions.

16 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

Step-by-Step Guide to Reading Lowe\

Complete guide to reading and processing Lowe\

11 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

Resolving Edi 997 Rejection Codes | PlainEDI

Comprehensive guide to understanding and resolving EDI 997 functional acknowledgment rejection codes. Learn error codes, root causes, and prevention strategies.

15 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

EDI Compliance Requirements for Target Vendors | PlainEDI

Complete guide to Target\

13 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

Top 3 Free EDI Converters (and Why PlainEDI is Fastest) | 2025 Comparison

Compare free EDI converters: Healthcare Data Insight, Stedi EDI Inspector, EDI Academy Viewer vs PlainEDI. Speed, file limits, features, and best use cases for X12 850/856/810 conversion.

18 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

Troubleshooting Edi 855 Acknowledgment Issues | PlainEDI

This guide walks you through diagnosing and resolving EDI 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment problems: control number mismatches, missing segments (ST/SE, BAK, P

15 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

Understanding EDI 820 Payment Remittance Advice | Complete Guide

Learn how to read EDI 820 payment remittances and reconcile payments with invoices. Understand deductions, chargebacks, and how to dispute Walmart/Target adjustments.

17 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

Understanding EDI X12 Delimiters and File Structure | PlainEDI

Learn how EDI X12 delimiters work - segment terminators, element separators, and subelement separators. Understand ISA, GS, ST envelope structure and how to parse EDI files correctly.

11 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Understanding Home Depot EDI Requirements for Vendors | PlainEDI

Complete guide to Home Depot\

11 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Understanding Retail Chargebacks & Deductions: Walmart, Target Guide 2025 | PlainEDI

Complete guide to retail chargebacks and deductions from Walmart, Target, Amazon. Learn OTIF penalties, ASN compliance fees, deduction codes, dispute windows, and how to reduce chargebacks.

17 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Walmart Edi 850 | PlainEDI

This guide explains how to create, validate, convert, and troubleshoot Walmart EDI 850 Purchase Orders. Get real EDI snippets, CSV mapping examples, and rejection fixes.

13 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Walmart Edi 855 | PlainEDI

This guide explains how to read, validate, convert, and troubleshoot Walmart EDI 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgments. It includes key segments, real-world EDI sn

13 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

Walmart Edi 856 | PlainEDI

This guide explains how to create, validate, and troubleshoot Walmart EDI 856 ASN files (Advanced Ship Notice) with practical examples, conversion steps to CSV,

13 min readRead Guide
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Retailer Guides

How Walmart Suppliers Use EDI to CSV Conversion: Retail Link Compliance | PlainEDI

Walmart supplier guide: convert EDI 850 POs to CSV, meet 90% OTIF requirement, understand MABD dates, avoid 3% COGS penalty. Complete Retail Link workflow.

17 min readRead Guide
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Transaction Types

What is an EDI 856 ASN and How to Process It | PlainEDI

Complete guide to EDI 856 Advance Ship Notices (ASN). Learn about SSCC barcodes, hierarchical levels, and how to process 856 files for Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

9 min readRead Guide
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EDI Fundamentals

X12 EDI Parser Comparison: Deterministic vs AI-Based Parsing | PlainEDI

Compare deterministic EDI parsers (100% accuracy, X12 standards-compliant) vs AI/ML parsers (probabilistic, training required). Why rules-based parsing is essential for business transactions.

15 min readRead Guide