A NACHA file is the fixed width text format for payments on the US ACH Network, such as payroll deposits and bill debits. Every record is 94 characters: a file header, batches with a header, entry details, optional addenda and a batch control, and a file control at the end. The Nacha Operating Rules define it. Klarbon support is planned, not available yet.
What is in a NACHA file?
| Record type | Name | Holds |
|---|---|---|
1 |
file header | priority, immediate destination and origin, creation date and time, record size 094, blocking factor 10 |
5 |
batch header | service class, company name and identification, standard entry class such as PPD or CCD, description, effective entry date |
6 |
entry detail | transaction code, receiving bank routing number, account number, amount, individual name and ID, trace number |
7 |
addenda | payment related information for the previous entry |
8 |
batch control | entry count, hash of routing numbers, debit and credit totals |
9 |
file control | batch and entry counts, totals for the file |
| Transaction code | Meaning |
|---|---|
22, 32 |
credit to a checking or savings account |
27, 37 |
debit from a checking or savings account |
23, 28, 33, 38 |
prenotifications |
Nacha governs the ACH Network and its rules (Nacha). The full rules are sold by Nacha, so banks publish their own file guides; the layout above follows one of them (Hancock Whitney).
NACHA or other payment files?
| NACHA | ABA Direct Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | United States | Australia |
| Syntax | fixed width, 94 characters | fixed width, 120 characters |
| Grouping | batches inside a file | descriptive record, details and file total |
What does Klarbon do with NACHA files?
Opening NACHA files to show their entries, and checking them, are planned, not available yet. Klarbon does not create payment files: one imported into a bank can move real money. See supported bank statement files.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is a NACHA file?
A fixed width text file of payments for the ACH Network, the US system for direct deposits, direct payments and debits. It follows the format in the Nacha Operating Rules, and businesses send it to their bank to originate entries.
How is a NACHA file laid out?
Every record is 94 characters. A file header (record type 1) starts the file, each batch has a batch header (5), entry details (6), optional addenda (7) and a batch control (8), and a file control (9) ends the file. Records are blocked in groups of ten.
What do the service class and transaction codes mean?
The service class code in a batch header says whether the batch holds mixed debits and credits (200), credits only (220) or debits only (225). The transaction code in each entry gives the account type and direction, for example 22 for a deposit to a checking account or 27 for a debit from one.
What are PPD, CCD and CTX?
Standard entry class codes in the batch header. The bank guide has entry-detail layouts for PPD, CCD and CTX, and describes addenda for corporate CCD and CTX transactions. Use the entry class your bank specifies for the payment.
Sources
- Nacha, the ABCs of ACH nacha.org
- Hancock Whitney, NACHA format, ACH input file structure (PDF) hancockwhitney.com
- NAB, Australian Direct Entry file format nab.com.au