EDI Guides & Tutorials

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

55 comprehensive guides available

NEW
Retailer Guides

Target Edi 810

This guide explains how to read, validate, and convert Target EDI 810 invoice documents into CSV for accounting/ERP ingestion, including common Target-specific

13 min readRead Guide
NEW
Retailer Guides

Target Edi 856

This guide explains how to build, validate, convert, and troubleshoot Target EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice (ASN) messages specifically for Target\

12 min readRead Guide
NEW
Retailer Guides

Target Edi 855

This guide explains Target EDI 855 (Purchase Order Acknowledgment) end-to-end: why 855s are required, the critical segments (BAK, PO1, N1, REF), common Target-s

14 min readRead Guide
NEW
Retailer Guides

Target Edi 850

This guide explains how to read, validate, convert, and troubleshoot Target EDI 850 purchase orders with practical examples, step-by-step conversion to CSV, and

14 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Walmart Edi 997

This guide explains how to read and act on Walmart EDI 997 functional acknowledgments, with practical decoding steps, real EDI snippets, CSV mapping, common rej

12 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Walmart Edi 846

This guide explains how Walmart EDI 846 (Inventory Inquiry/Advice) is structured, why common errors occur, and provides step-by-step conversion techniques to CS

14 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

How to Validate EDI Files Before Sending

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
Retailer Guides

Understanding Costco EDI Requirements for Vendors

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
EDI Fundamentals

PlainEDI vs Full EDI Software: Which Do You Need?

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?

23 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

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

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.

19 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

X12 EDI Parser Comparison: Deterministic vs AI-Based Parsing

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.

16 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

How to Read Target EDI 850 Purchase Order Files

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
EDI Fundamentals

EDI VAN vs Direct AS2 Connection: Complete Cost & Performance Comparison

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.

16 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

How to Parse Amazon EDI Invoice Files (810)

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.

14 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Understanding Home Depot EDI Requirements for Vendors

Complete guide to Home Depot

12 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

Best Buy EDI Requirements for Vendors: Complete 2025 Compliance Guide

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
EDI Fundamentals

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

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.

20 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

How to Open Walmart EDI Files Without Special Software

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.

20 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

Resolving EDI 997 Rejection Codes

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

15 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

5 Best Ways to Read Walmart EDI Files in 2025

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
Retailer Guides

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

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.

20 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

How to Process EDI 846 Inventory Reports

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.

16 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

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

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.

19 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

EDI to CSV for Small Business Vendors: Affordable Retailer Compliance

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.

18 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

How to Read EDI 997 Functional Acknowledgments

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
EDI Fundamentals

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

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.

21 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Walmart EDI 820 Payment Order Guide

This guide explains how to read, validate, convert, and troubleshoot Walmart EDI 820 (Payment Order/Remittance Advice) files with practical examples and common error resolutions.

13 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

How Freight Forwarders Use EDI to CSV Conversion

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
EDI Fundamentals

Step-by-Step Guide to Reading Lowe

Complete guide to reading and processing Lowe

11 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

Excel Won

Fix

20 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

How to Convert Target EDI to Excel Spreadsheet

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

8 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

How To Fix EDI 856 Hierarchy Errors

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

11 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Walmart EDI 810 Invoice Guide

This guide explains how to read, validate, troubleshoot, and convert Walmart EDI 810 invoices into CSV for accounting systems. Includes real-world code examples and common error fixes.

15 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Common Errors in Walmart EDI Files and How to Fix Them

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

16 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

EDI 850 vs 855 vs 856: Complete Guide for Vendors

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
Retailer Guides

EDI Compliance Requirements for Target Vendors

Complete guide to Target

14 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Walmart EDI 856 ASN Guide

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

14 min readRead Guide
Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting EDI 855 Acknowledgment Issues

This guide walks you through diagnosing and resolving EDI 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment problems: control number mismatches, missing segments, quantity issues, and more.

15 min readRead Guide
Troubleshooting

Fixing EDI 810 Invoice Discrepancies

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

15 min readRead Guide
Troubleshooting

Common EDI 850 Validation Errors and Fixes

This guide explains the most common EDI 850 Purchase Order validation errors (AK501, AK502, AK503, PO1-Required, N1-Invalid) and provides step-by-step fixes.

15 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

EDI 810 Invoice Processing: Avoiding Three-Way Match Failures

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
Transaction Types

What is an EDI 856 ASN and How to Process It

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
Retailer Guides

Walmart EDI 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgment Guide

This guide explains how to read, validate, convert, and troubleshoot Walmart EDI 855 Purchase Order Acknowledgments. Includes key segments, real-world EDI snippets, and CSV conversion examples.

14 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

How to Import Home Depot EDI Purchase Orders into QuickBooks

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.

20 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Understanding Retail Chargebacks and Deductions: Walmart, Target, Amazon 2025

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.

18 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

Walmart EDI 850 Purchase Order Guide

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.

14 min readRead Guide
Transaction Types

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

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.

16 min readRead Guide
EDI Fundamentals

Understanding EDI X12 Delimiters and File Structure

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
Transaction Types

Understanding EDI 820 Payment Remittance Advice

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
EDI Fundamentals

Integrating EDI with ERP Systems: QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, and Oracle

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
EDI Fundamentals

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

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
EDI Fundamentals

PlainEDI vs Open Source EDI Tools: Free vs Paid Comparison

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.

22 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

How to Read a Walmart EDI 850 File

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
EDI Fundamentals

EDI to CSV Conversion vs Manual Processing: Complete Time & Cost Comparison

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.

15 min readRead Guide
Retailer Guides

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

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

18 min readRead Guide