ABA to CSV Converter
Drop an .aba file and download a clean CSV that opens directly in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet application. The most common reason to convert an ABA file to a spreadsheet is to inspect, reconcile, or archive a payment batch — or to edit it and convert it back to ABA. Free, no signup, files never leave your browser.
Source ABA file
How to use
- 1
Drop your ABA file
Drag an .aba file into the dropzone. The tool decodes every record and shows them in a table.
- 2
Pick the columns
Choose key columns (the five fields used by spreadsheets) or all fields for a complete export.
- 3
Download CSV
Click Export CSV to download a UTF-8 CSV that opens directly in Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet.
Why use ABA File Converter's ABA to CSV
- Free, no signup, browser-only.
- UTF-8 with BOM so Excel opens it without garbled characters.
- Choose between five-column key export (CSV to ABA round-trip) or full export with all fields.
- Key-column export round-trips back into the CSV to ABA Converter.
- Works for every major Australian bank.
What the CSV columns contain
The exported CSV contains up to 11 columns depending on the export option you choose:
Key columns (5 fields): Amount (dollars) · BSB · Account Name · Account Number · Description (lodgement reference). This set is designed for round-tripping — import it back into the CSV to ABA Converter and every payment re-maps automatically.
All fields (11 columns): The five above, plus Transaction Code · Indicator · Withholding Tax · Trace BSB · Trace Account · Remitter Name. Use this for archiving or reconciliation when you need the complete record.
Why export an ABA file to CSV?
- Reconciliation — compare the payment batch against your accounts receivable or payroll records.
- Archiving — store payment records in a format every accountant can open without specialist software.
- Inspection — see exactly what your payroll software produced before uploading the ABA file to your bank.
- Round-tripping — edit the CSV, then convert it back to ABA using the CSV to ABA Converter.
- Reporting — import into Excel pivot tables or accounting software for payment analysis.
About the ABA file format
The ABA file (sometimes called Direct Entry or Cemtex) is the fixed-width 120-character text format Australian banks accept for batch payments. Every record is exactly 120 characters; a file has one Type 0 descriptive header, one or more Type 1 detail records, and one Type 7 totals record. Read the full ABA file format spec.
Frequently asked questions
What if the ABA file is malformed?
This tool uses strict parsing; structural errors stop the import and explain what went wrong. To inspect a malformed file row by row, use the ABA Validator.
Can I open the resulting CSV in Excel?
Yes — the CSV is UTF-8 with a byte-order mark so Excel handles non-ASCII characters cleanly. Double-click the downloaded file and it opens directly.
Will the round-trip ABA to CSV to ABA produce an identical file?
Round-tripping the five key columns preserves all payment data. Fields not included in the export (such as transaction code or withholding tax) reset to defaults when generating a new ABA file.
How do I open an ABA file in Excel?
Drop the .aba file into this converter. Download the CSV. Open the CSV in Excel — it imports cleanly with correct column headings and formatted amounts.
Can I edit the CSV and convert it back to ABA?
Yes. Download the key-columns CSV, edit it in Excel or Google Sheets, then drop it into the CSV to ABA Converter to produce a new, valid ABA file.
What does 'ABA to Excel' mean?
There is no native Excel format for ABA files. The standard approach used by accountants and bookkeepers across Australia is to convert the ABA to a CSV first, then open that CSV in Excel. This tool does exactly that.