DATEV import guide

The DATEV-EXTF.csv file in the handoff pack is a complete, verified booking batch in DATEV-EXTF v7.0 format. You can import it directly into DATEV Kanzlei-Rechnungswesen (or Rechnungswesen pro) — without editing the file first.

Verify the checksums first

Only import after you have verified the pack — see Verify checksums. A corrupted or altered booking batch has no place in your accounting system.

Prerequisites

• DATEV Kanzlei-Rechnungswesen or Rechnungswesen pro.
• The client is set up in DATEV with the same client number (Mandantennummer) and advisor number (Beraternummer) the firm configured in KanzleiSynchron. These values are in the header of the EXTF file.
• The chart of accounts (SKR03 or SKR04) of the DATEV client matches the one the pack was created with.

Import step by step

1. In DATEV, open the relevant client and the matching fiscal year.
2. Choose Bestand → Importieren → ASCII-Daten (or batch processing → import, depending on your DATEV version).
3. Select DATEV format (EXTF) as the format type.
4. Select the DATEV-EXTF.csv file from the handoff pack.
5. DATEV reads the file’s 28-field header and automatically detects the advisor number, client number, fiscal-year start, and chart of accounts. Check these in the preview.
6. Confirm the import. The batch appears as a booking batch that you review and post (festschreiben) as usual.

Format and version

The file is a semicolon-separated CSV per DATEV-EXTF v7.0 (28-field metadata header, 116-column booking record). Character set and delimiter follow the DATEV specification; do not open the file in Excel and re-save it, as that can change the character set and break the import.

Common import errors

DATEV message	Cause	Fix
Advisor/client number does not match	The DATEV client has different master data than the EXTF header	Reconcile the master data; if needed, ask the firm for the configured numbers
Account not in chart of accounts	DATEV client uses SKR03, the pack was created with SKR04 (or vice versa)	Align the chart of accounts with the firm
File cannot be read / character-set error	The CSV was opened in Excel and re-saved after receipt	Use the original file from the pack again; re-verify the checksum
Fiscal-year start differs	The DATEV client’s fiscal-year start does not match the EXTF header	Reconcile the fiscal-year start in DATEV or the setting at the firm

If something does not fit

The booking batch is built in KanzleiSynchron from verified, reconciled data and validated against the DATEV-EXTF rules before handover. If an import problem persists, contact your point of contact at the firm — there the pack can be rebuilt and re-sent if needed.