Excel to ABA Converter
Drop an .xlsx or .xls workbook, pick the right sheet, map the columns, and download a valid ABA file. Handles multi-sheet workbooks and formula cells. Works with every major Australian bank. Free, no signup, files never leave your browser.
Source workbook
How to use
- 1
Drop your workbook
Drag an .xlsx or .xls workbook into the dropzone. Multi-sheet workbooks let you pick the right sheet.
- 2
Map columns
Bind columns from your spreadsheet to ABA's Amount, BSB, Account Name, Account Number, and Description fields.
- 3
Fill bank details and download
Enter your bank, BSB, account, and file description, then click Generate to download a valid ABA file.
Why use ABA File Converter's Excel to ABA
- Handles .xlsx and .xls — no need to save-as before converting.
- Reads formula cells by computed value — no manual copy-paste required.
- Multi-sheet workbooks: pick the right tab before mapping.
- Validates all 147 Australian FI codes and every ABA field.
- Works for every major Australian bank.
- Free and unlimited — no signup, no subscription.
What your Excel file needs
Your workbook needs five columns per payment: Amount (dollars, e.g. 1500.00), BSB (format NNN-NNN), Account Name (the payee's name as registered with their bank, up to 32 characters), Account Number (up to 9 digits), and Description(the payment reference on the recipient's statement, up to 18 characters).
Column order does not matter. Multi-sheet workbooks are supported — a sheet picker appears automatically when more than one sheet is detected. Formula cells are read by their computed value; currency formatting is handled automatically. Both modern .xlsx and legacy .xls formats are supported.
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
Which Excel file types are supported?
Both modern .xlsx and legacy .xls are supported. Multi-sheet workbooks show a sheet picker so you can select the correct tab before mapping.
Do my files get uploaded anywhere?
No. Excel parsing and ABA generation run entirely in your browser. Your workbook never leaves your device.
What if my Excel rows have currency formatting?
The tool reads the numeric value of each cell, not the displayed formatting. Currency-formatted columns (e.g. $1,500.00) are handled automatically as plain numbers.
What is the difference between this tool and the CSV to ABA converter?
This tool reads .xlsx and .xls files directly without any save-as step. The CSV to ABA converter reads .csv files. Use whichever matches the format your payroll or accounting software exports.
Can I use a file exported from Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks?
Yes. Export your payment run as an Excel file, drop it here, and the column mapping is detected automatically from common header names.
Is there a row limit?
No hard limit. Files with thousands of payment rows are handled using virtual scrolling so the page stays responsive regardless of file size.