Format bank columns as Text
Select the routing and account columns, choose Format Cells → Text, then paste or type the values. This prevents Excel from removing leading zeros.
Create an ACH File from Excel
Upload an .xlsx payment workbook or exported CSV, map columns to ACH fields, and generate a NACHA credit file for vendor payments or payroll. Bank data stays in your browser.
Why Excel needs extra care
Excel is convenient for payroll and AP teams, but it automatically reformats bank data. Routing numbers can lose leading zeros and long account numbers can display in scientific notation unless the column is formatted as Text before data entry.
Prepare your spreadsheet
- Open your payment workbook and select the routing number and account number columns.
- Format those columns as Text before you enter or paste bank numbers.
- Confirm Excel is not displaying large account numbers in scientific notation.
- Save as .xlsx or export to CSV if your process requires a flat file.
- Delete totals, subtotals, and blank spacer rows that are not payment records.
- Upload the .xlsx or .csv file in the generator and review the suggested mapping.
Excel formatting tips
Watch for scientific notation
Long numeric account numbers can display as 1.23E+12 in General format. If you see that, reformat the column as Text and re-enter the value.
Prefer .xlsx upload when possible
The generator reads Excel workbooks directly, so you can upload the original .xlsx file instead of re-exporting to CSV when that is easier for your workflow.
One payment per row
Pivot tables, subtotal rows, and summary lines should be removed before import. Each row should represent one ACH entry.
Columns the generator expects
| Column | Required | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recipient name | Yes | Payee or employee name as it should appear on the bank statement. | FICTIONAL VENDOR |
| Routing number | Yes | Nine-digit ABA routing number including check digit. Store as text so leading zeros are preserved. | 990000000 |
| Account number | Yes | Recipient bank account number, up to 17 characters. Store as text so leading zeros are preserved. | 000EXAMPLE001 |
| Account type | Yes | Use checking or savings. | checking |
| Amount | Yes | Payment amount in dollars. Use 0 for prenote files. | 123.45 |
| Recipient ID | No | Optional employee or vendor ID carried in the entry detail record. | VENDOR001 |
| Addenda | No | Optional 80-character payment reference written to an addenda record. | INVOICE 1001 |
| Remittance details | No | Optional invoice or credit memo text used only for the downloadable remittance CSV report. | INVOICE 1001 AND CREDIT MEMO 20 |
Example spreadsheet row
Start from the NACHA import template if you are building a workbook manually. Sample data is fictional.
| Recipient name | Routing number | Account number | Account type | Amount | Recipient ID | Addenda | Remittance details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICTIONAL VENDOR | 990000000 | 000EXAMPLE001 | checking | 123.45 | VENDOR001 | INVOICE 1001 | INVOICE 1001 AND CREDIT MEMO 20 |
1. Import payment data
Choose a CSV/XLSX file or paste rows copied from a spreadsheet. The first row must contain column names. Data is read only in this browser. In Excel, format routing and account number columns as Text to preserve leading zeros. For recurring rosters, leave the amount blank to mark a recipient as unpaid in this run; the app will show every skipped row for confirmation.
Or enter payments manually
3. Confirm bank compatibility
ACH file upload is not included with every business bank account. Ask your bank whether your account can upload NACHA files and request its current ACH file instructions before entering configuration values.
Validation before download
After mapping, the generator checks each row locally before you create the NACHA file:
- ABA routing number checksum and nine-digit length
- Account number length and allowed characters
- Recipient name length for the entry detail record
- Positive payment amounts for live credit files
- Duplicate payments with the same recipient, account, and amount
- Required bank header fields before download
Need to inspect an existing file instead? Use the ACH file validator.
Choose CCD or PPD after import
Use CCD for business vendor payments and PPD for employee payroll or consumer direct deposit. You will select the SEC code in the bank configuration step after the spreadsheet is mapped.
Need a zero-dollar account test instead of a live payment file? Use the ACH prenote generator.
Excel to ACH FAQ
Why did Excel change my routing number?
Excel treats long numbers as numeric values and may drop leading zeros or switch to scientific notation. Format the column as Text before entering bank data.
Should I upload XLSX or export to CSV first?
Either works. Uploading .xlsx is often safer because you avoid an extra export step that can reformat bank columns.
Can I create CCD and PPD files from Excel?
Yes. Choose CCD for vendor payments or PPD for payroll and direct deposit after you map the spreadsheet columns.