---
title: "edifact/eancom DTM to number parsing(format a, value b, part c, [exception handling d, force empty e])"
slug: "edifact-eancom-dtm-to-number-parsing-format-a-value-b-part-c"
status: "new"
updated: 2026-10-16T14:45:18Z
published: 2026-10-16T14:45:18Z
canonical: "docs.lobstersoftware.com/edifact-eancom-dtm-to-number-parsing-format-a-value-b-part-c"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lobstersoftware.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# edifact/eancom DTM to number parsing(format a, value b, part c, [exception handling d, force empty e])

Reads the number encoded in the `b` field of a EDIFACT or EANCOM *DTM* segment and returns it as an integer. The DTM format code `a` (data element 2379) specifies how the value `b` is interpreted.

Reads the number encoded in the `b` field of a EDIFACT or EANCOM *DTM* segment and returns it as an integer. The DTM format code `a` (data element 2379) specifies how the value `b` is interpreted.

Only certain format codes return a number. They can be divided into three groups:

- `801–814` – Purely quantitative information, such as a number of days.
- `107–110` – The number of a day, week, or month within a year or month.
- `6–9` – A calendar date with an appended number. Only this number is returned; the date portion can be determined using the [edifact/eancom DTM to timestamp parsing](/v1/docs/en/edifact-eancom-dtm-to-timestamp-parsing-format-a-value-b-part-c) function.

The following rules apply to data processing:

- The result is an integer. Leading zeros are ignored; a sign (`+` or `-`) is allowed.
- The numeric part is not checked against a range of values.
- Leading and trailing spaces in the format code `a` are removed; the case sensitivity is ignored.
- The value `b` is used without modification and must not contain any spaces.

## Parameter

| Parameter | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `a` | DTM format code (data element 2379), e.g., `804`, `107`, `8`. See the "Format codes" section below. |
| `b` | The value from the DTM segment to be processed. |
| `c` | (optional) Part of a time period that is returned. `from`, `1`, `true`, or empty specify the start; `until`, `2`, or `false` specify the end. Has no effect, since no format code with a number describes a time period. Default: `from` |
| `d` | (optional) Error handling if `b` cannot be processed using the format code `a`. - `error` – Termination with an error message. - `empty` – The result is an empty value (technically, an empty timestamp with the [Empty flag](/v1/docs/en/intro-concepts-empty-flag) set). - `now` – The result is the current date and time (a timestamp, not a number). Default: `error` |
| `e` | (optional) Forces an empty value. If `true`, the function immediately returns an empty value with the empty flag set, without processing `b` – for example, if the source field is empty. Default: `false` |

## Format codes

Format codes that represent a date, time, or time period without a numeric component (e.g., `102`, `203`, `718`) are rejected. The [edifact/eancom DTM to timestamp parsing](/v1/docs/en/edifact-eancom-dtm-to-timestamp-parsing-format-a-value-b-part-c) function is intended for these format codes..

For the complete definition of all format codes, see the code list for UN/CEFACT data element 2379: [UN/CEFACT UNCL 2379](https://service.unece.org/trade/uncefact/vocabulary/uncl2379/).

## Examples

The parameters `c`, `d`, and `e` are empty unless otherwise specified.

| Parameter a | Parameter b | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6 | 2015022 (half the month) | 2 (second half of February 2015) |
| 6 | 2015023 (half the month) | 3, this section is not reviewed |
| 7 | 2024031 (week of the month) | 1 (first week of March 2024) |
| 8 | 202403021 (shift of the day) | 1 (shift 1 on 2 March 2024) |
| 9 | 2024030205 (time of day) | 5 (time period 05 on March 2, 2024) |
| 107 | 366 (day of the year) | 366 |
| 108 | 53 (week number in year) | 53 |
| 110 | 31 (day of the month) | 31 |
| 801 | 120215 (number of years) | 120215 |
| 801 | 007 (number of years) | 7 |
| 801 | -12 (number of years) | -12 |
| 804 | 30 (number of days) | 30 |
| 813 | 7 (day of the week, Monday = 1) | 7 |

### Error handling

| Parameter a | Parameter b | Parameter d | Parameter e | Result |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 8 | 20240302 (shift of the day) |  |  | Terminated due to an error; the shift number is missing. |
| 102 | 20240301 |  |  | Processing aborted due to an error: *unable to parse* *"**20240301**"* *with format code* *"**102**"*, because the code represents a date. |
| 102 | 20240301 | empty |  | Empty value (empty timestamp with the empty flag set). |
| 801 | 12A (number of years) |  |  | Terminated with the error *unable to parse* *"**12A**"* *with format code* *"**801**"*. |
| 801 | (empty) |  |  | Terminated with the error *unable to parse with format code* *"**801**"* (empty value). |
| 801 | 2147483648 (number of years) |  |  | Terminated due to an error; the value exceeds the integer range. |
| 801 | ABC (number of years) | now |  | Current date and time. |
| 801 |  |  | true | An empty value, `b`, is not processed. |

International EDI standard established by the UN for electronic data interchange. EDIFACT defines message types such as ORDERS, INVOICE, and DESADV.

## Related

- [Functions (GUI)](/phase-3-target-structure-functions.md)