This document provides a brief guide to direct debit files and their use. It explains that direct debit files should be in comma separated value (.csv) format and contain customer information like sort code, account number, name, transaction code, amount, and reference. It details the field structure and codes for transaction types like new instructions, collections, cancellations and returns. Finally, it provides an example of how to manually create a direct debit for a new customer, the first collection, repeat collections, and cancellation through editing a .csv file.

1. Brief Guide to Direct Debit Files and their use
Ideally the file you wish to upload should be a comma delimited type ( .CSV ), although other types can be uploaded, this is the type
we'll concentrate on in this guide.
A .csv file is simply a text file, best viewed in notepad, where the data is separated by a comma character.
The fields can be in any order, but must contain at least the following customer information.
sort code, account number, account name, transaction code, amount, reference
In the bacsip software these fields are referred to by counting left to right, so field 1 is the sort code,field 2 is the account number, field
3 is the account name, and so on.
The originators information is stored in the bacsip software and is automatically added to the submission.
Field Detail
Field Length
Num Field ( Characters ) Notes
1 Sort Code 6 or 8 405060 or 40-50-60
2 Account Number Exactly 8 7 digit Lloyds accounts have a 0 added to the start
3 Account Name Max. 18
4 Transaction Code Max.2 see below
5 Amount Max. 11 amount must be 0 for a New Instruction
6 Reference Min 6 - Max 18 This is used for subsequent debits and instructions on this account
Transaction Types Transaction Code
Direct Debit – First Collection 01 ( zero one )
Direct Debit – Regular Collection 17
Direct Debit – Re-Presented 18
Direct Debit – Final Collection 19
Claims for unpaid cheques 13
Automated Teller Collection/Debit Routings 07 ( zero seven )
Credit Card Debit E1
Credit Card Refund E2
Automated Return of Unpaid Direct Debit – First Collection U1
Automated Return of Unpaid Direct Debit – Regular Collection U7
Automated Return of Unpaid Direct Debit – Re-Presented U8
Automated Return of Unpaid Direct Debit – Final Collection U9
Automated Settlement Credits 86
Unapplied Automated Credits RA
Direct Debit Instruction – New Instruction 0N ( zero N )
Direct Debit Instruction – Cancellation Instruction 0C ( zero C )
Direct Debit Instruction – Conversion Instructions 0S ( zero S )
Interest Payments Z4
Dividend Payments Z5
Direct Credit 99
Creating a Direct Debit for a Customer
We describe here a simplified manual creation of a direct debit instruction, often third party software is used to manage and schedule
direct debit customers and amounts.
Our customer details are,
account name Mr James Davies
sort code 123456
account number 98765432
mandate reference PQR1234578
monthly amount £542.17
collection date last working day of each month

2. Create a new instruction
open notepad, we type the new record.
123456, 98765432, MR J DAVIES, 0N, 0, PQR1234578
we'll save the file as BACS.CSV and post it through to Bacs.
We have to wait at least 5 days before submitting the first collection
Create the first collection
open BACS.CSV and make these changes
123456, 98765432, MR J DAVIES, 01, 542.17, PQR1234578
save the file and post it through to Bacs at least 3 working days before the collection date
Create the repeat collection
open BACS.CSV and make these changes
123456, 98765432, MR J DAVIES, 17, 542.17, PQR1234578
save the file and post it through to Bacs.
We can now send this file through to bacs every month at least 3 working days before the collection date
Cancelling the Direct Debit
open BACS.CSV and make these changes
123456, 98765432, MR J DAVIES, 0C, 0, PQR1234578
save the file and post it through to Bacs.
This Completes our brief guide.