Import File Guide

The Import File feature allows you to originate bulk ACH payments and domestic wires quickly by uploading a structured file directly from your accounting, ERP, or payroll software. You can also use this feature to collect ACH payments, but it requires prior authorization by Grasshopper. 

How It Works

• Bulk ACH (Payments & Collections): Imported ACH files seamlessly feed into our existing Bulk Payments workflow. You can easily review, edit, add additional payments, and resolve recipient discrepancies before finalizing the submission.
• Domestic Wires (Sending Only): Imported wire files open on a dedicated review page where you can fix formatting errors and edit individual details. Once approved, each wire is sent as a separate transaction.

Supported File Formats

⚠️ Important Note: Files support up to 300 payments and a 25 MB maximum size. Files exceeding these limits will be rejected with an error message. To process more, simply split your data into smaller files and upload them sequentially. 

CSV File Requirements

You can upload a comma-separated (CSV) file from any source in any column order, and header rows are optional. Before submitting, you will simply map your file’s columns to our payment fields. 

To save time on future uploads, you can save this mapping; it will be shared organization-wide and instantly available to all users on your account.

ACH CSV Columns

Domestic Wire CSV Columns

⚠️ Important Note: The wire reason must be one of the following: Payments for products, Payments for services, Payroll, Rent, Loan disbursement/draw, Return of loan principal, Interest payment on loan, Tax payment, Insurance premium, Purchase of real estate, Escrow funding, Investments, Dividends, Non-dividend distributions, Transfer between own accounts, or Other.

NACHA File Requirements

You can upload a standard, unbalanced NACHA-formatted file, which automatically parses and imports your payment data with no column mapping required. During the import flow, you will simply select the payment type, entry description, and originating account. Keep in mind that NACHA files are used exclusively for ACH transactions and are not supported for domestic wires.

Importing a File

Step 1: Initiate a File Import

1. Login to Online Banking
2. Select Transfer & Pay in the sidebar 
   • You can also select Bulk Payments in the Transfer & Pay drop-down menu to bypass step 3.
3. Click Import File
4. Select the type of payment you want to originate
   • ACH: CSV, or NACHA (.txt or .nacha)
   • Domestic Wire: CSV only
5. Upload your file
   • Select the gray box to browse to a CSV or NACHA file, or drag and drop the file from your computer.
   • To see an example of a properly formatted file, select Download CSV Sample.
6. Click Next.

⚠️ Important Note: Import File is only supported in Online Banking, not the mobile app. 

Step 2: Map Columns (CSV Only)

When you upload a CSV file, you will be prompted to map its columns to our required payment fields. To save you time, the system automatically suggests mappings based on recognizable column names and your organization's saved templates. A live preview of your file's first five rows will help you easily confirm that each column is mapped to the correct field.

1. Under "Your Fields," select the choice that matches the corresponding row in the "Payment Fields" column
2. Check the 5-row preview to confirm the data lines up with the fields
3. Select Save new mapping to reuse this configuration on future uploads (Optional)
4. Click Next.

⚠️ Important Note: All required fields must be mapped before you can continue. Any optional fields you leave unmapped in an ACH upload will automatically use system defaults, whereas domestic wires require every single field to be mapped. If a value in your file is missing or invalid, an error will appear next to it as soon as it is detected. You can correct the value right on your screen, saving you the hassle of editing your original file and uploading it again.

Step 3: Review New Recipients 

For both CSV and NACHA uploads, the next page displays any recipients in your file that do not match an existing, saved contact. You can easily add them to your recipient list with a single click, or simply proceed without saving them for future use.

1. Save your new recipients using one of the following methods:
   • Select Save all to save every new recipient at once.
   • Check the box next to specific recipients and select Add to recipients.
2. Click Next.

Step 4: Enter Batch Details

ACH Transactions

1. Enter the details that apply to the entire batch
   • Refer to the data dictionary below.
2. Click Next.

ACH Batch Field Definitions

Domestic Wires

1. Review and manage your imported domestic wire payments.
   • Resolve Flagged Items: Correct highlighted rows using the error summary listed at the top of the page.
   • Edit or Adjust: Change the wire reason, memo, or amount for individual entries, add payments, or remove any wires you do not want to send.
   • Check Your Limits: Select View your wire transfer limits and disclosures to see your active wire thresholds.
   • Verify Totals: Confirm the net total of all wires in the file shown on the page.
2. When everything looks correct, click Next.
3. Enter the details that apply to the whole import.
   • Payment name: A name for this import, so you can find it later in Activity.
   • Originating account: The account the wires will be funded from.
   • Internal note: An optional note for your own records.
4. Click Next.

Step 5: Review & Submit

1. Make any changes needed to individual payment rows.
   • Select the empty Date field in a payment row to choose a date from the pop-up calendar.
2. Click Review
3. Review your payment details
4. Click Submit.

⚠️ Important Note: If any payment exceeds your daily limits, an error message will display and you'll be returned to the edit payment page to make corrections.

Downloading a Submitted File

After submitting a batch, you can download the original file you uploaded. This is useful for verifying exactly what was submitted, sharing with your accountant or compliance team, or troubleshooting a payment that didn't process as expected.

1. Login to Online Banking
2. Select Payment Controls in the sidebar
3. Click Activity
4. Click the File Import tab
5. Select the payment row
6. Click Download File.

Approvals

If your organization has dual approvals enabled, imported payments will be sent for approval to all users on your account with payment approval permissions, accessible in both online and mobile banking. Each payment within a bulk batch is evaluated individually, and you will receive an email confirmation once a payment passes review and has been initiated.

Saved Mappings

When importing CSV files, you can save your column mapping to avoid mapping the same layout on future uploads. These saved templates are shared organization-wide and will apply automatically when matching file structures are detected.

Saving a Mapping

1. Login to Online Banking
2. Select Transfer & Pay in the sidebar 
   1. You can also select Bulk Payments in the Transfer & Pay drop-down menu to bypass step 3.
3. Select Import File 
4. Upload a CSV file
5. Click Next
6. Map the appropriate fields
7. Select Save new mapping
8. Enter a name for the mapping
9. Click Save mapping.

Using a Saved Mapping

When you upload a new CSV file, the system automatically checks for a matching template from your organization's saved mappings. If a match is found, it is applied instantly, though you can still manually adjust the field mappings if needed.

⚠️ Important Note: Mappings are only auto-applied if your CSV includes a header row. Files without headers will never have a mapping applied automatically.

Updating a Saved Mapping

Saving changes to an existing mapping will overwrite it with your new column selections under the same template name.

1. Login to Online Banking
2. Select Transfer & Pay in the sidebar 
   1. You can also select Bulk Payments in the Transfer & Pay drop-down menu to bypass step 3.
3. Select Import File 
4. Upload a CSV file
5. Click Next
6. Make desired changes to Your Fields or the Has Header row toggle
7. Click Update Mapping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What file formats can I upload?

For ACH, Import File supports CSV files from any source, as well as standard (unbalanced) NACHA-formatted files with a .txt or .nacha extension. For domestic wires, Import File supports CSV files only.

2. How many payments can I include in one file?

Both CSV and NACHA-formatted files support up to 300 payments per upload, with a maximum file size of 25 MB.

3. Do my CSV column names have to match exactly?

Not at all. Your columns can have any names and be in any order. During the import, you'll simply match your columns to our payment fields. Plus, header rows are entirely optional.

4. Do I have to map my columns every time?

No. You can save and reuse mappings across your entire organization. If a future upload's columns match a saved template, the system will apply it automatically. However, keep in mind, that auto-apply requires your files to include a header row to work.

5. Do I need to map columns for a NACHA file?

No. NACHA files are parsed automatically. You'll only need to select the payment type, entry description, and originating account.
 

6. Can I edit payments after uploading the file?

Yes. Imported payments feed into the bulk payment workflow, where you can review and edit individual rows, add payments, set dates, and resolve recipient discrepancies before submitting.

7. What happens to recipients in my file who aren't already saved?

Before you submit, you will see a summary of any unmatched recipients. You can choose to save them all to your directory at once, save only the ones you select, or proceed with your import without saving them.

8. What if a payment exceeds my limits?

If any payment in the batch is over your daily limits, an error message will display and you'll be returned to the edit payment page. Limits for future-dated payments are evaluated on the origination date, not the date you schedule them.

9. Can I get a copy of the file I submitted? 

Yes. You can access all imported files by clicking the Activity tab under the Payment Controls menu in the sidebar.

10. Can I import files on the mobile app? 

No. File imports are only available through Online Banking. However, once you submit a payment, you can easily view its status and details directly within the mobile app.

Support

If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, you contact Client Services Monday-Friday 9am-9pm ET by dialing 888.895.9685 or emailing support@grasshopper.bank.

For your convenience, we also offer support via secure message or chat.