ACH Pro provides a convenient way to convert Excel files (and other columnar file formats like CSV) into NACHA files.
Required Fields
Before you get started, you need to make sure your data contains the following six required fields. The order of these fields does not matter since you will map them during the import process.
Here is an example file to help you get started: payment-import-example-fields.xlsx
Required Field | Description |
Recipient Name | Recipient’s legal name |
Account Number | Recipient’s account number. This field is only required if the recipient's name does not match an existing recipient. |
Routing Number | Recipient’s nine digit routing number. This field is only required if the recipient's name does not match an existing recipient. |
Account Type | Indicates what type the recipient account is: must be CHECKING, SAVINGS or LOAN. This field is only required if the recipient's name does not match an existing recipient. |
Amount | The amount for the recipient |
Entry Type | Indicates if the entry should credit or debit the recipient’s account: must be CREDIT or DEBIT. |
In addition to the required fields, there are also three optional fields you can use:
Optional Field | Description |
Unique Identifier | A unique ID you can apply to entries for internal identification. |
Reference Number | A reference number associated with the transaction. This is only used in emails sent to recipients by ACH Pro. |
Addendum | Remittance data, up to 80 characters. |
Batch ID | Enables you to create a NACHA file containing multiple batches. Rows with the same batch ID will be grouped into the same batch. |
Instructions
1. To get started, click Create File in the left menu in ACH Pro. Then on the Create File page, click From Excel/CSV.
2. You have the option to import a file from scratch or use an existing import template. If you have an existing template, you can select it and click Continue at the bottom of the page. If you want to import a new file from scratch, click + Import above the list of templates.
3. Select the file you want to import and click Upload.
4. Now you will be asked to map the columns in your file to payment fields. You can also make adjustments to individual cell values if needed and click Validate to check that your data is valid. When you’re ready to finish the import, click Submit next to the Validate button (if you don’t see it, click Validate to check your data).
As you review your file, note the following about the import tool:
We will guess the field mappings for the columns in your file. Be sure to double check them and add any that are missing.
You can filter records by status by changing the Show dropdown on the left side. For example, if you wanted to quickly see all errors, you could select Errors in the list.
Any Missing fields will be listed in the center above the table. Map these fields by selecting the field from the dropdown above the appropriate column.
Icons beside rows and in individual fields indicate if they include an error or if they have been changed and need to be re-validated. Hovering your mouse over an icon will reveal information about the error.
If you need to change the value of cell in one of your rows, double click it and enter a new value. A question mark icon will be displayed next to it indicating it needs to be re-validated.
The Skip column allows you quickly exclude rows from the import. This can be used to remove header rows
The Validate button allows you to make changes and validate them against the import requirements. Once you’ve validated your file, a Submit button will appear which will allow you to continue the import.
5. On the Import Complete window, click Finish creating ACH file to complete the remaining fields for the NACHA file.
Note the following on the the Import Complete window:
An action button that allows you to finish creating the ACH file.
New Records: The number of records successfully created
Skipped Records: The number of records you skipped in the import tool
Failed Records: The number of records that couldn’t be created
View Errors: A link to view and export a list of failed records and the reason they failed.
The option to create a new import template using the field mappings from the file you just imported. If you used an existing template, you would be prompted to update it here.
If you would like to see or export the error messages from an import, click Click to view errors.
6. In the ACH Builder, enter a name for the file and select the bank you will be uploading the file to.
7. Select the company you are sending transactions as. Most of the time, this will be your business.
8. Enter an effective date (posting date), an entry description and an SEC code.
NOTE: SEC Code usage. PPD -> Transactions to individuals, CCD -> Transactions to businesses
9. Review the credit and debit totals and ensure that all the required fields are completed. Click Create File in the bottom right when you're ready to download the file.
10. Click Download NACHA to access your file. Optionally, you can also download a prenote file (all amounts zeroed for testing) and a PDF report.
Success! You've created an ACH file using data in an Excel file