Nacha Files Explained

A NACHA file is the standardized file format used to communicate ACH payment processing instructions between financial institutions.

NACHA files contain essential information related to the processing of ACH transactions. This includes the sender and receiver’s account details, payment amounts, and transaction dates. NACHA files can contain more than one transaction instruction and are often referred to as batch files.

Key Components of ACH NACHA Files

Each line of a NACHA file is 94 characters long and structured in alphanumeric ASCII text. They are organized into a series of records with a designated function:

• File Header Record: Contains important metadata about the file, such as the sender and receiver’s account information.
• Batch Header Record: Contains details about the payment batch, including the type of transaction and the number of entries.
• Entry Detail Record: Contains the specific details of each individual ACH transaction, including the sender and recipient’s names, bank account numbers, and payment amounts.
• Batch Control Record: Summarizes the total money included in the batch, and provides controls for accuracy.
• File Control Record: Confirms the details for the entire NACHA file and ensures it has the correct number of records.

How To Create A NACHA File

NACHA files are structured in ASCII format and contain sensitive financial information, making their creation best handled by experienced providers. Many third-party ERP and accounting tools can generate NACHA files if needed.

On the VoPay platform, businesses can submit transactions via our API or Portal, and we handle the entire NACHA file generation process, including submission, tracking, reporting, and dispute management. Additionally, VoPay offers payment automation tools to simplify bulk ACH payment processing, improving efficiency and accuracy.