ACH Validator
Overview
The ACH Validator lets you upload an ACH file and instantly check it for NACHA compliance. It parses the file structure and reports errors, warnings, and informational messages so you can identify and fix issues before submitting files to your bank.
How to Validate a File
- Navigate to ACH Validator from the top navigation menu.
- Click the upload area or drag and drop your ACH file onto the page.
- The validator processes the file and displays results immediately.
Understanding Results
After validation, you will see a summary of the file contents and any issues found:
File Summary
The summary section shows key details extracted from the file:
- Immediate Origin / Destination — The originating and receiving institutions.
- Batch Count — The number of batches in the file.
- Entry Count — The total number of individual transaction entries.
- Total Debits / Credits — The aggregate dollar amounts.
Validation Messages
Messages are grouped by severity:
| Severity | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Error | A violation of NACHA rules that will cause the file to be rejected. Must be fixed. |
| Warning | A potential issue that may cause problems but is not necessarily a rule violation. |
| Info | Informational notes about the file structure or contents. |
Each message includes the record type, field name, and a description of the issue so you can locate and correct it in your source system.
Validating Another File
After reviewing results, click the Validate Another File button to reset the interface and upload a new file. Previous results are cleared automatically.
Supported File Formats
The validator supports standard NACHA ACH file formats with 94-character fixed-width records, including:
- File Header (1) and File Control (9) records
- Batch Header (5) and Batch Control (8) records
- Entry Detail (6) records
- Addenda (7) records
- All standard SEC codes (PPD, CCD, WEB, TEL, etc.)
Tips
- Make sure your file uses the correct line endings and record lengths before uploading.
- The validator checks both structural formatting and logical consistency (e.g., batch totals match entry sums).
- You can use the validator to check files generated by FISTWorks ACH Drafter or any other system.