004010F864_0 5 October 1998

864 Text Message 

Functional Group ID=TX 

Introduction:

This Draft Standard for Trial Use contains the format and establishes the data content of the Text Message 

Transaction Set (864) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The 

transaction set can be used to provide users with a capability to electronically move messages, contracts, 

explanations, and other one-time communications. It is the intent of this transaction set to provide electronic 

communication (messages) for people, not for computer processing. The use of the transaction set to transmit quasi 

or unique transaction set standards is discouraged. The use of the Text Message transaction set demands of the 

sender certain detailed information about the recipient. The transaction set's purpose is to provide communication to 

the recipient in some human-readable form. The recipient's network will dictate what capabilities are available for 

delivery of the information. It is the responsibility of the sender to obtain this information and include it in the 

transmission. 

Heading: 

Page Pos. Seg. Req. Loop Notes and 

No. No. ID Name Des. Max.Use Repeat Comments

2 010 ST Transaction Set Header M 1 3 020 BMG Beginning Segment For Text Message M 1 4 030 DTM Date/Time Reference O 10 

 LOOP ID - N1 200

5 040 N1 Name O 1 7 050 N2 Additional Name Information O 2 8 060 N3 Address Information O 2 9 070 N4 Geographic Location O 1 10 080 REF Reference Identification O 12 12 090 PER Administrative Communications Contact O 3 

Detail: 

Page Pos. Seg. Req. Loop Notes and 

No. No. ID Name Des. Max.Use Repeat Comments

 LOOP ID - MIT >1

14 010 MIT Message Identification M 1 

 LOOP ID - N1 200

Not Used 020 N1 Name O 1 Not Used 030 N2 Additional Name Information O 2 Not Used 040 N3 Address Information O 2 Not Used 050 N4 Geographic Location O 1 Not Used 060 REF Reference Identification O 12 Not Used 070 PER Administrative Communications Contact O 3 

15 080 MSG Message Text M 100000 

Summary: 

Page Pos. Seg. Req. Loop Notes and 

No. No. ID Name Des. Max.Use Repeat Comments

16 010 SE Transaction Set Trailer M 1 
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 2 5 October 1998

 Segment: ST Transaction Set Header 

 Position: 010 

Loop:

Level: Heading 

Usage: Mandatory 

Max Use: 1 

Purpose: To indicate the start of a transaction set and to assign a control number 

Syntax Notes:

Semantic Notes: 1 The transaction set identifier (ST01) is used by the translation routines of the 

interchange partners to select the appropriate transaction set definition (e.g., 810 

selects the Invoice Transaction Set). 

Comments:

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use ST01 143 Transaction Set Identifier Code M ID 3/3

Code uniquely identifying a Transaction Set

864 Text Message

Must Use ST02 329 Transaction Set Control Number M AN 4/9

Identifying control number that must be unique within the transaction set 

functional group assigned by the originator for a transaction set

Use to transmit a unique number assigned by the originator of the 

transaction set. This number may be system generated. This same number 

will be cited in SE02.
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 3 5 October 1998

 Segment: BMG Beginning Segment For Text Message 

 Position: 020 

Loop:

Level: Heading 

Usage: Mandatory 

Max Use: 1 

Purpose: To indicate the beginning of a Text Message Transaction Set 

Syntax Notes:

Semantic Notes:

Comments: 1 BMG02 contains the message subject. 

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use BMG01 353 Transaction Set Purpose Code M ID 2/2

Code identifying purpose of transaction set

00 Original

Use to indicate an original transmittal.

01 Cancellation

Use to indicate the cancellation of a previously 

transmitted text message.

07 Duplicate

Use to indicate the re-transmission of a previously 

transmitted text message.

11 Response

Use to indicate a reply to an 864 transaction set. 

When used, cite code TN in REF01 of the 1/REF/080 

segment and identify the unique number of the 864 

transaction set to which this transaction set is 

responding in REF02.

22 Information Copy

Use to indicate an information copy of the original text 

message. This information copy may be sent to parties 

other than those for whom the original is intended.

BMG02 352 Description O AN 1/80

A free-form description to clarify the related data elements and their content

Use to provide a brief, overall subject of the text message.

Not Used BMG03 640 Transaction Type Code O ID 2/2

Code specifying the type of transaction
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 4 5 October 1998

 Segment: DTM Date/Time Reference 

 Position: 030 

Loop:

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 10 

Purpose: To specify pertinent dates and times 

Syntax Notes: 1 At least one of DTM02 DTM03 or DTM05 is required. 

 2 If DTM04 is present, then DTM03 is required. 

 3 If either DTM05 or DTM06 is present, then the other is required. 

Semantic Notes:

Comments:

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use DTM01 374 Date/Time Qualifier M ID 3/3

Code specifying type of date or time, or both date and time

999 Document Date

Must Use DTM02 373 Date X DT 8/8

Date expressed as CCYYMMDD

DTM03 337 Time X TM 4/8

Time expressed in 24-hour clock time as follows: HHMM, or HHMMSS, or 

HHMMSSD, or HHMMSSDD, where H = hours (00-23), M = minutes (00-

59), S = integer seconds (00-59) and DD = decimal seconds; decimal seconds 

are expressed as follows: D = tenths (0-9) and DD = hundredths (00-99)

Time is always expressed as local time.

DTM04 623 Time Code O ID 2/2

Code identifying the time. In accordance with International Standards 

Organization standard 8601, time can be specified by a + or - and an indication 

in hours in relation to Universal Time Coordinate (UTC) time; since + is a 

restricted character, + and - are substituted by P and M in the codes that follow

Not Used DTM05 1250 Date Time Period Format Qualifier X ID 2/3

Code indicating the date format, time format, or date and time format

Not Used DTM06 1251 Date Time Period X AN 1/35

Expression of a date, a time, or range of dates, times or dates and times
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 5 5 October 1998

 Segment: N1 Name 

 Position: 040 

Loop: N1 Optional 

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 1 

Purpose: To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code 

Syntax Notes: 1 At least one of N102 or N103 is required. 

 2 If either N103 or N104 is present, then the other is required. 

Semantic Notes:

Comments: 1 This segment, used alone, provides the most efficient method of providing 

organizational identification. To obtain this efficiency the "ID Code" (N104) must 

provide a key to the table maintained by the transaction processing party. 

 2 N105 and N106 further define the type of entity in N101. 

Notes: 1. Whenever possible, identification and address information should be provided using 

N101, N103, and N104. Use N102 and segments N2 through N4, as applicable, when 

the address cannot be provided using one of the codes listed N103. 

2. There must be two iterations of the N1 loop. One iteration will be used to identify 

the party sending the message and the second iteration to identify the party to whom 

the text message is being sent.

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use N101 98 Entity Identifier Code M ID 2/3

Code identifying an organizational entity, a physical location, property or an 

individual

FR Message From

Use to indicate the party sending the text message.

TO Message To

Use to indicate the party to whom the text message 

transaction set is being sent.

N102 93 Name X AN 1/60

Free-form name

N103 66 Identification Code Qualifier X ID 1/2

Code designating the system/method of code structure used for Identification 

Code (67)

While the federal EDI program uses the DUNS number, other government 

users of this implementation convention may require the use of other and 

additional numbers for a transition period in order to cross-reference 

existing data bases to new procurement actions.

1 D-U-N-S Number, Dun & Bradstreet

Use of teh DUNS or DUNS+4 number is preferred 

over other codes to identify an entity.

9 D-U-N-S+4, D-U-N-S Number with Four Character 

Suffix

Use of the DUNS or DUNS+4 number is preferred 

over other codes to identify an entity.

10 Department of Defense Activity Address Code 

(DODAAC)

Use to indicate either a Department of Defense or 

Civilian Agency Activity Address Code.

21 Health Industry Number (HIN)

33 Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE)

46 Electronic Transmitter Identification Number (ETIN)

A unique number assigned to each transmitter and 
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 6 5 October 1998

software developer

A2 Military Assistance Program Address Code (MAPAC)

Contained in the Military Assistance Program Address 

Directory (MAPAD); represents the location of an 

entity

EI Employee Identification Number

FA Facility Identification

This code will be deleted if a business case is not 

identified for it's continued use.

FI Federal Taxpayer's Identification Number

MC Medicaid Provider Number

Number assigned to a health care provider for 

submitting claims covered by Medicaid benefits

MP Medicare Provider Number

Number assigned to a health care provider for 

submitting claims covered by Medicare benefits

MR Medicaid Recipient Identification Number

Unique identification number assigned to each member 

covered under a subscriber's contract

N104 67 Identification Code X AN 2/80

Code identifying a party or other code

Not Used N105 706 Entity Relationship Code O ID 2/2

Code describing entity relationship

Not Used N106 98 Entity Identifier Code O ID 2/3

Code identifying an organizational entity, a physical location, property or an 

individual
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 7 5 October 1998

 Segment: N2 Additional Name Information 

 Position: 050 

Loop: N1 Optional 

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 2 

Purpose: To specify additional names or those longer than 35 characters in length 

Syntax Notes:

Semantic Notes:

Comments:

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use N201 93 Name M AN 1/60

Free-form name

N202 93 Name O AN 1/60

Free-form name
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 8 5 October 1998

 Segment: N3 Address Information 

 Position: 060 

Loop: N1 Optional 

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 2 

Purpose: To specify the location of the named party 

Syntax Notes:

Semantic Notes:

Comments:

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use N301 166 Address Information M AN 1/55

Address information

N302 166 Address Information O AN 1/55

Address information
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 9 5 October 1998

 Segment: N4 Geographic Location 

 Position: 070 

Loop: N1 Optional 

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 1 

Purpose: To specify the geographic place of the named party 

Syntax Notes: 1 If N406 is present, then N405 is required. 

Semantic Notes:

Comments: 1 A combination of either N401 through N404, or N405 and N406 may be adequate to 

specify a location. 

 2 N402 is required only if city name (N401) is in the U.S. or Canada. 

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

N401 19 City Name O AN 2/30

Free-form text for city name

N402 156 State or Province Code O ID 2/2

Code (Standard State/Province) as defined by appropriate government agency

N403 116 Postal Code O ID 3/15

Code defining international postal zone code excluding punctuation and blanks 

(zip code for United States)

N404 26 Country Code O ID 2/3

Code identifying the country

Not Used N405 309 Location Qualifier X ID 1/2

Code identifying type of location

Not Used N406 310 Location Identifier O AN 1/30

Code which identifies a specific location
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 10 5 October 1998

 Segment: REF Reference Identification 

 Position: 080 

Loop: N1 Optional 

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 12 

Purpose: To specify identifying information 

Syntax Notes: 1 At least one of REF02 or REF03 is required. 

 2 If either C04003 or C04004 is present, then the other is required. 

 3 If either C04005 or C04006 is present, then the other is required. 

Semantic Notes: 1 REF04 contains data relating to the value cited in REF02. 

Comments:

Notes: 1. Use this segment to provide reference numbers that identify other transaction sets or 

documents, e.g., contracts, invoices, progress payments, etc. to which this transaction 

set applies. 

2. At least 1 REF segment is required citing code ME in REF01. 

3. When this transaction set is sent in conjunction with another transaction set, e.g., 

an 840, the unique reference number of that transaction set must be cited in REF02 

with REF01 citing code TN. This is required to cross-reference the transaction sets.

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use REF01 128 Reference Identification Qualifier M ID 2/3

Code qualifying the Reference Identification

ANY CODE MAY BE USED to identify a document or some other reference 

number to which the information transmitted in this transaction set applies. 

The following is a preferred list of codes: 

11 Account Number 

12 Billing Account 

14 Master Account Number 

2F Consolidated Invoice Number 

2G Amendment 

Includes modifications. 

2S Catalog 

2Y Wage Determination 

AW Air Waybill Number 

BL Bill of Lading 

Use to indicate either a commercial or Government Bill of Lading 

C7 Contract Line Item Number 

CT Contract Number 

Use to indicate the purchase order number, contract number (including 

Federal Supply Schedules, GSA Schedules and all other basic contracts), 

BPA number, Grant, Lease or Agreement number. This is never the number 

of a delivery order, call or release against a basic award instrument. 

1V Seller's Invoice Number 

KS Solicitation 

ME Message Address or ID 

Use to indicate the unique number of this transmission. 

NR Progress Payment Number 

PR Price Quote Number 

RE Release Number 
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 11 5 October 1998

Use to indicate the number of a release, call or delivery order against a basic 

award instrument. 

SI Shipper's Identifying Number for Shipment (SID) 

TN Transaction Reference Number 

Use to indicate the unique number of the transaction set being referenced in 

the instant text message. Each transaction set has a unique number 

assigned. Appendix A identifies where this unique number is found in the 

more commonly used transaction sets. When used, identify the transaction 

set number in REF03.

Refer to 004010 Data Element Dictionary for acceptable code values.

REF02 127 Reference Identification X AN 1/30

Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as 

specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

REF03 352 Description X AN 1/80

A free-form description to clarify the related data elements and their content

1. Use to further identify, if necessary, the number cited in REF02. 

2. When REF01 is code TN, the transaction set number to which the number 

in REF02 applies MUST be identified in this data element.

Not Used REF04 C040 Reference Identifier O

To identify one or more reference numbers or identification numbers as 

specified by the Reference Qualifier

Not Used C04001 128 Reference Identification Qualifier M ID 2/3

Code qualifying the Reference Identification

Not Used C04002 127 Reference Identification M AN 1/30

Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as 

specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

Not Used C04003 128 Reference Identification Qualifier X ID 2/3

Code qualifying the Reference Identification

Not Used C04004 127 Reference Identification X AN 1/30

Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as 

specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

Not Used C04005 128 Reference Identification Qualifier X ID 2/3

Code qualifying the Reference Identification

Not Used C04006 127 Reference Identification X AN 1/30

Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as 

specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 12 5 October 1998

 Segment: PER Administrative Communications Contact 

 Position: 090 

Loop: N1 Optional 

Level: Heading 

Usage: Optional 

Max Use: 3 

Purpose: To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed 

Syntax Notes: 1 If either PER03 or PER04 is present, then the other is required. 

 2 If either PER05 or PER06 is present, then the other is required. 

 3 If either PER07 or PER08 is present, then the other is required. 

Semantic Notes:

Comments:

Notes: Use to indicate the name and/or communication number for either an information 

point of contact at the location where the transaction set was originated, the contractor 

party certifying a request for a progress payment, or the party who is to receive this 

transmission. When used, there must be either a PER02 or PER04 present. Both may 

be used.

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use PER01 366 Contact Function Code M ID 2/2

Code identifying the major duty or responsibility of the person or group named

CE Certifier

Use to indicate the name and communication number 

of the party who provided a certification.

IC Information Contact

Use to indicate the party at the sender's location.

RE Receiving Contact

Use to indicate the party at the receiving location who 

is to receive this transmission.

PER02 93 Name O AN 1/60

Free-form name

PER03 365 Communication Number Qualifier X ID 2/2

Code identifying the type of communication number

AU Defense Switched Network

Department of Defense telecommunications system and 

successor of the Automatic Voice Network 

(AUTOVON)

ED Electronic Data Interchange Access Number

EM Electronic Mail

FT Federal Telecommunications System (FTS)

FX Facsimile

IT International Telephone

Include the country code.

TE Telephone

Use to indicate the commercial telephone number of 

the individual cited in PER02. Include the area code.

PER04 364 Communication Number X AN 1/80

Complete communications number including country or area code when 

applicable

PER05 365 Communication Number Qualifier X ID 2/2

Code identifying the type of communication number

Use to identify a second communications number for the party cited in 

PER02. For example, if PER03/04 cites a telephone number, PER05/06 can 
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 13 5 October 1998

be used to cite a FAX number.

AU Defense Switched Network

Department of Defense telecommunications system and 

successor of the Automatic Voice Network 

(AUTOVON)

ED Electronic Data Interchange Access Number

EM Electronic Mail

EX Telephone Extension

Use only if PER03 is used citing code AU, FT, or TE.

FT Federal Telecommunications System (FTS)

FX Facsimile

IT International Telephone

Include the country code.

TE Telephone

Use to indicate the commercial telephone number of 

the individual cited in PER02. Include the area code.

PER06 364 Communication Number X AN 1/80

Complete communications number including country or area code when 

applicable

PER07 365 Communication Number Qualifier X ID 2/2

Code identifying the type of communication number

Use to identify a third communications number for the party cited in PER02.

AU Defense Switched Network

Department of Defense telecommunications system and 

successor of the Automatic Voice Network 

(AUTOVON)

ED Electronic Data Interchange Access Number

EM Electronic Mail

EX Telephone Extension

Use only if PER05 is used citing code AU, FT, or TE.

FT Federal Telecommunications System (FTS)

FX Facsimile

IT International Telephone

Include the country code.

TE Telephone

Use to indicate the commercial telephone number of 

the individual cited in PER02, Include the area code.

PER08 364 Communication Number X AN 1/80

Complete communications number including country or area code when 

applicable

PER09 443 Contact Inquiry Reference O AN 1/20

Additional reference number or description to clarify a contact number

Use, if necessary, to provide the title of the party cited in PER02.
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 14 5 October 1998

 Segment: MIT Message Identification 

 Position: 010 

Loop: MIT Mandatory 

Level: Detail 

Usage: Mandatory 

Max Use: 1 

Purpose: To identify the beginning of a specific message and to allow the identification of a 

subject for the message 

Syntax Notes:

Semantic Notes: 1 MIT01 contains the message number. 

 2 MIT02 contains the message subject. 

Comments: 1 MIT03 default is 80 characters. 

 2 MIT04 default is 66 lines. 

Notes: Use this segment to identify a more detailed subject of the text message

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use MIT01 127 Reference Identification M AN 1/30

Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as 

specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

A unique number assigned by the originator of the transaction set to identify 

multiple messages contained within this transaction set. For example, the 

number 001 can be used to refer to a message with the subject Packaging 

Requirements cited in MIT02; the number 002 can be used in another 

iteration of this MIT segment to identify a second message with the subject, 

Testing Procedures cited in MIT02.

MIT02 352 Description O AN 1/80

A free-form description to clarify the related data elements and their content

Use to provide the subject of the message.

Not Used MIT03 931 Page Width O N0 1/3

Definition of the maximum number of characters per line that can be expected 

in the message text

Not Used MIT04 932 Page Length Lines O N0 1/3

Definition of the maximum number of lines per page that can be expected in 

the message text
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 15 5 October 1998

 Segment: MSG Message Text 

 Position: 080 

Loop: MIT Mandatory 

Level: Detail 

Usage: Mandatory 

Max Use: 100000 

Purpose: To provide a free-form format that allows the transmission of text information 

Syntax Notes: 1 If MSG03 is present, then MSG02 is required. 

Semantic Notes: 1 MSG03 is the number of lines to advance before printing. 

Comments: 1 MSG02 is not related to the specific characteristics of a printer, but identifies top of 

page, advance a line, etc. 

 2 If MSG02 is "AA - Advance the specified number of lines before print" then MSG03 

is required. 

Notes: Use the full 264 character capability of data element 933 (MSG01) unless specifically 

advised be a trading partner to limit the length of any one iteration of the segment to 80 

characters.

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use MSG01 933 Free-Form Message Text M AN 1/264

Free-form message text

MSG02 934 Printer Carriage Control Code X ID 2/2

A field to be used for the control of the line feed of the receiving printer

Refer to 004010 Data Element Dictionary for acceptable code values.

Not Used MSG03 1470 Number O N0 1/9

A generic number
864 - Text Message

004010F864_0 16 5 October 1998

 Segment: SE Transaction Set Trailer 

 Position: 010 

Loop:

Level: Summary 

Usage: Mandatory 

Max Use: 1 

Purpose: To indicate the end of the transaction set and provide the count of the transmitted 

segments (including the beginning (ST) and ending (SE) segments) 

Syntax Notes:

Semantic Notes:

Comments: 1 SE is the last segment of each transaction set. 

Data Element Summary 

 Ref. Data 

 Des. Element Name Attributes

Must Use SE01 96 Number of Included Segments M N0 1/10

Total number of segments included in a transaction set including ST and SE 

segments

Must Use SE02 329 Transaction Set Control Number M AN 4/9

Identifying control number that must be unique within the transaction set 

functional group assigned by the originator for a transaction set

Cite the same number as the one in ST02.