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EDI
EDIFACT Glossary for EDI System Professionals
Learn key EDIFACT terms and concepts to improve EDI system workflows, message processing, and business data exchange for EDI system professionals.
Dinuka Ekanayake
Modified: 05 Feb 2026
Topic: A Glossary of Common EDIFACT Terms for EDI system Professionals
Introduction
EDIFACT, which stands for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport, was developed by the United Nations (UN). It includes internationally agreed standards, rules, and guidelines for electronic data interchange between two or more business entities worldwide. EDIFACT ensures a consistent format for transmitting various EDI documents, such as invoices and purchase orders, in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) format within a Business-to-Business (B2B) network.
The importance of EDIFACT lies in its standardized set of syntax rules for structure and provide globally applicable, uniform messages. This ensures seamless multi-country and multi-industry exchange of electronic business documents, making them equally well understandable among all universal participants. By standardizing how an EDI file is created, validated, and transmitted, EDIFACT plays a critical role in improving interoperability and efficiency across modern electronic data interchange systems.
Key EDIFACT Terminology (Glossary)
EDIFACT Message Structure
EDIFACT files are structured with a strictly defined syntax and structure. Each EDI file is composed of multiple segments that contain specific data. Each segment includes a series of data elements separated by special characters. Additionally, data elements can be further divided, and a closing segment marks the end of the message.
This standardized structure allows an EDI generator to create consistent EDI documents that can be reliably processed by receiving systems within an electronic data interchange network.
Segments
Segments are the core building blocks of an EDIFACT message. Each segment begins with a three-letter code that identifies its function and purpose within the EDI document. Segments are logical groupings of data elements and contain information on specific aspects of the transaction, such as the sender, recipient, product or item details, etc.
Segments mainly can be divided into two types.
-
Service segments (starting with UN)
-
User data segments (All other)
Here are the following known service segments.
| Segment Name | Description |
| UNB | Interchange header |
| UNE | Group trailer |
| UNG | Group header |
| UNH | Message header |
| UNO | Object header |
| UNP | Object trailer |
| UNS | Section control |
| UNT | Message trailer |
| UNZ | Interchange trailer |
Below are some user data segments that can be used to represent actual user data in messages.
-
DTM (date and time)
-
RFF (references)
-
QTY (quantities)
-
NAD (names and addresses)
-
PRI (prices)
-
PAC (number and the type of packages)
Data Element
A data element is the smallest unit in an EDIFACT file, representing a single piece of information. Data elements always appear in a defined sequence within a segment, and they can be either optional or mandatory depending on the EDI document specification.
- Example: QTY (Quantity) Segment - QTY+21:50’
This segment has two data elements:
-
21 - Quantity qualifier (Ordered quantity)
-
50 - Quantity value (50 items)
Coded Data Elements
A coded data element in EDIFACT is a data element that contains a code instead of full text to represent a specific value.
- Example: NAD (Name and Address) Segment - NAD+BY+12345::91’
Here,
- BY - Coded Data Element for Buyer
Coded values are essential for consistent interpretation across EDIFACT and other EDI standards such as EDI X12.
Composite Data Elements
A data element that consists of two or more component data elements and can be referred to as a group of data elements within a segment.
- Example: PRI (Price) Segment - PRI+INV:100.00’
This segment has two data elements:
-
INV - Price type code (Invoice price)
-
100.00- Price amount
INV:100.00 is a composite data element because it contains multiple related values (price type + amount).
Separating and control characters
In messages, Segments, Data elements and sub elements can be separated by separators. These separators allow an EDI generator and receiving systems to correctly parse the EDI document.
-
(+) - Data element separator: separates data elements within a segment
-
(:) – Composite data element separator: separates sub-elements within a data element
-
(‘) - segment separator: ends a segment
Common EDIFACT Messages and Their Uses
EDIFACT includes message types designed to facilitate various business exchanges, with each message type having a unique identifier consisting of 6 letters. Below are some examples of key message types in EDIFACT:
-
ORDERS: Purchase Order
-
ORDRSP: Purchase Order Response
-
INVOIC: Invoice
-
ORDCHG: Purchase Order Change Request
-
ORDCLO: Purchase Order Cancellation
-
REMADV: Remittance Advice
-
PAYORD: Payment Order
-
CONTROL: Control Message
Example of an EDIFACT Message
UNA:+.? '
UNB+UNOC:3+SENDER:14+RECEIVER:14+230219:1200+1234567890'
UNH+1+INVOIC:D:93A:UN:1.3'
BGM+380+INVOICE123+9'
DTM+137:20230219:102'
RFF+ON:ORD123456'
NAD+BY+1234567890123::9'
CUX+2:USD'
LIN+1++123456:EN'
PIA+1+9876543210'
QTY+47:100'
PRI+AAA:20.00'
UNT+9+1'
UNZ+1+1234567890'
How EDIFACT Improves EDI Operations
-
As EDIFACT offers a standardized structure for electronic data interchange, it enables the exchange of EDI documents between companies in various geographical locations.
-
EDIFACT ensures reliable, accurate, and efficient transactions by enabling the transfer of large volumes of data in just a few minutes.
In addition to these benefits, electronic data interchange provides several common advantages such as reduced manual errors, faster processing times, and improved operational efficiency. Explore these broader benefits in detail here.
Conclusion
Understanding EDIFACT terminology is essential for EDI professionals to navigate electronic data interchange effectively. Key components, such as segments and segment groups that organize message content, as well as data elements and coded data elements that define specific values, all play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and efficient communication between businesses. By understanding these terms, professionals can enhance interoperability, improve message processing, and troubleshoot EDI transactions more effectively. Familiarity with EDIFACT fundamentals not only boosts EDI system efficiency but also ensures smoother and more reliable business data exchanges.
Looking to simplify EDIFACT and electronic data interchange workflows? Explore our EDI Generator to easily create and manage EDI documents.
Get started with our 30-day free trial and experience the solution firsthand, with full setup assistance and ongoing support from our team.
Dinuka is a Junior Quality Assurance Engineer at Aayu Technologies, dedicated to ensuring software excellence. With a passion for precision, he focuses on delivering reliable and high-quality solutions. Outside of work, Dinuka enjoys watching TV series, exploring new destinations, and spending quality time with friends.
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