Importing CSV files

Importing CSV Files into esenda

Direct Debit, Mandate, Supplier and Payroll payments can be uploaded as a CSV file into the esenda portal. The CSV must follow the strict BACS STD18 format to ensure the information is ingested correctly.

Please use the format and guidance below when preparing your file:

General Formatting Rules

- No headers in the file.

- Each row must follow this structure:

sort code, account number, account name, payment reference, amount, transaction code

Field Requirements

Sort Code

-       Must be 6 digits only

-       No hyphens

Account Number

-       Must be 8 digits only

-       No spaces

Account Name

-       Name of the account holder

-       Can use any valid BACS characters

Payment Reference

-       Can be blank or 6+ characters

-       Any valid BACS characters allowed

Amount

-       No currency symbol

-       Must include two decimal places

-       Entered as pounds and pence (e.g., 4.00)

-       Whole numbers must include .00

Transaction Code

Use one of the valid BACS STD18 transaction codes:

-       01 – Direct Debit (first collection)

-       17 – Direct Debit (regular/ongoing collection)

-       18 – Direct Debit (re-presentation/resubmission)

-       19 – Direct Debit (final collection)

-       99 – Direct Credit

-       0N – New instruction

-       0C – Cancel instruction

Notes:

-       The transaction code must be valid.

-       No option to include a payment date; all instructions will appear as ‘Overdue’. Update dates after upload.

File Rules

-       Each instruction must be on its own row.

-       A CSV file may contain multiple instructions.

BACS Character Set (for reference)

Allowed characters:

-       A–Z (uppercase only; lowercase will convert automatically)

-       0–9 (numerical)

-       .  (full stop)

-       & (ampersand)

-       / (slash)

-       - (hyphen)

-       (space)

Examples

Direct Debit Example (Ongoing collection of £15.99 from Esenda LTD)

000000,12345678,Esenda LTD,REF-123,15.99,17

Supplier Payment Example: (Payment of £287.68 to Scaffolding Co)

555555,87654321,Scaffolding Co,REF-abc,287.68,99

Now that you have your csv file, go to the BACS actions menu, select the relevant payment option and select the Upload file button to import. Once uploaded, select the Refresh batch icon to view the file and proceed as usual through the steps to approve and send the file.

If there are any errors when importing the file, they will be shown as a potential invalid file.