Dummy EDI File Generator (X12 850)
Every dummy EDI file is an X12 850 purchase order with a full ISA to IEA envelope and the line items you choose.
Sample EDI files, ready to download:
One click, exact size (1 KB = 1,024 bytes), default options, built in your browser.
A dummy EDI file is a sample X12 EDI document made for testing: here an 850 purchase order in version 004010. Download one free at the exact size you need, from 512 Bytes to 50 MB, with 1 to 10,000 line items (10 by default). The envelope is complete and the control numbers and segment counts match, so a parser that rejects it has found a real bug. The test indicator is set, and every ID and party is made up.
How we check it: every generated file must be exactly the size you set and pass our own X12 parser: the 106-character ISA, matching control numbers, SE segment count, CTT line count and PO1 numbering; the last run on 13 November 2026 passed 223 of 223 runs across 22 formats (how the files are made and checked).
What is inside a dummy EDI file
One interchange with one purchase order (how we build and check these files):
- An ISA segment of exactly 106 characters with sender DUMMYFILES, receiver TESTRECEIVER and test indicator T, then GS, ST and IEA, GE, SE to close it.
- BEG with purchase order number PO-000001, an N9 reference with MSG notes, and a ship-to party (N1).
- The line items you set: each is a PO1 (line number, quantity, unit EA, price, vendor part number) followed by a PID description.
- A CTT count that matches the PO1 lines and an SE count that matches the segments. Extra size goes into MSG note segments, at most 264 characters each.
What a dummy EDI file is used for
EDI parser tests
Run a translator or your own parser against a valid 850 with a known number of line items.
Large orders
A 10,000-line purchase order shows how a mapping or import job copes with volume.
File transfer limits
Test AS2, SFTP or upload size limits with a file that is real EDI, not random bytes.
Validation rules
Change one count or control number in a copy and check that your validator catches it.
Reading the dummy EDI file
Elements are separated by *, components by > (the last character of ISA) and segments end with ~ followed by a line break, so the file reads one segment per line. Some strict systems want no line breaks; strip them if yours does.
The counts tie together: SE01 is the number of segments from ST to SE, CTT01 is the number of PO1 lines, GE01 is the number of transaction sets and IEA01 the number of groups. ISA13 matches IEA02 and GS06 matches GE02.
| Limit | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| nginx client_max_body_size (default) | 1 MB 1,048,576 B | Requests with a larger body get HTTP 413. |
| PHP upload_max_filesize (default) | 2 MB 2,097,152 B | Also capped by post_max_size, so raise both. |
| AWS Lambda synchronous invocation payload | 6 MB 6,291,456 B | Applies to request and response. |
| Amazon API Gateway REST API payload | 10 MB 10,485,760 B | Hard quota for REST APIs. |
| Outlook default attachment limit (Exchange accounts) | 10 MB 10,485,760 B | Administrators can change it. |
| Outlook attachment limit (internet accounts) | 20 MB 20,971,520 B | Per Microsoft Outlook guidance. |
| Gmail message size limit | 25 MB 26,214,400 B | Attachments grow about a third when encoded, so a 20 MB file can already be too big. |
EDI file details
- Extension
- EDI .edi
- MIME type
- application/edi-x12
- Smallest size
- 512 Bytes
- Largest size
- 50 MB
- Contents
- ANSI X12 004010 850 purchase order with the line items you choose (10 by default), full ISA/GS/ST envelope, test indicator set
Dummy EDI file FAQ
Which EDI standard does the dummy EDI file use?
ANSI X12, version 004010, transaction set 850 (purchase order). It is not EDIFACT.
Is it a real purchase order?
No. The test indicator is T, and the sender, receiver, order number and items are all made up. Do not send it to a trading partner as a live order.
Will it pass my trading partner's rules?
Not necessarily. It follows the X12 850 structure, but partners add their own required segments and codes. Use it for parser, size and transfer tests.
How many line items does it have?
10 by default. Set the Number of line items option to anything from 1 to 10,000. Each item is a PO1 segment with a PID description.
How is the exact file size reached?
Extra bytes go into MSG note segments in the N9 loop, and the SE segment count is updated to include them, so the envelope stays valid.
How large can a dummy EDI file be?
From 512 Bytes up to 50 MB. The default 10 items need about 1 KB; if the size is too small for the items, the tool says the minimum.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The file is built in your browser and never sent to a server.