Creating a new Excel .CSV file for BACS Debit payments
Open a new Excel workbook.
Select a location to save the file to and Name the file
Change the default save as type from Excel Workbook to CSV (Comma delimited) and Save the file.
The file is now in the .csv format
Click OK to the warning dialogue box.
Click YES on the information dialogue box
The file is now saved in .CSV format and is ready to be populated with the beneficiary details.
Column A – Beneficiary Name
Column B – Reference
Column C – Beneficiary Sort Code
Column D – Beneficiary Account Number
Column E – Amount (See Note 1)
Column F – Account Code (Value is always 0 (Zero))
Column G – Transaction Code (See Note 2)
Note 1: Amount
The pence value in the amount should be specified as two digits following the decimal point – for example:



ten pounds is 10.00
ten pence is 0.10
10 or 10.0 would be interpreted as ten pounds.
Note 2: Transaction Codes
First payment – 01
Regular Payment – 17
Representation – 18
Final Payment - 19
In the example below the beneficiary sort code and account number columns have dropped the leading
zeros. These 2 columns require to be formatted to allow the file to be successfully uploaded to
BusinessOnline.
Follow these steps to format the beneficiary sort code (Column C).
Highlight the whole column with a right click on the C at the top of the column.
Select format cells
Select Custom and in the type box enter 000000 (6 zeros) and click OK
Follow these steps to format the beneficiary account number (Column D).
Highlight the whole column with a right click on the D at the top of the column.
Select format cells
Select Custom and in the type box enter 00000000 (8 zeros) and click OK
The beneficiary sort code and account number Columns C and D will now display the leading zeros originally
dropped.
Save the file (click on Yes to the information dialogue box), do not close the file, log into BusinessOnline and
upload the file with the file remaining open. Once the file is uploaded, the file can then be closed.
The file can be amended for future use by making any necessary changes and saving with a new file name.
BusinessOnline Helpdesk
If you have any further questions, please call the BusinessOnline Helpdesk on 0800 121 4209.