What is SAF-T import?
SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax) is a standardised file format for accounting data. If you have kept your books in another system before, you can import your accounting history into Catacloud from a SAF-T file. You can also export your accounts from Catacloud as SAF-T – for example to the tax authorities or your auditor.
Importing a SAF-T file
How to open the import dialog
You can start the import in two ways:
From the dashboard: Click the SAF-T Financial import button in the welcome banner at the top of the overview page.
Via settings: Go to Administration → Data transfer → SAF-T Financial and click Import.
How to import
Click in the Pick file zone, or drag the SAF-T file (.xml) straight into the field.
The file is uploaded and processed automatically.
Review the imported accounts and check that everything looks correct.
Important: If you have SAF-T files for several years, you must import them in chronological order – for example 2022, then 2023, then 2024. Catacloud also shows this reminder directly in the import dialog: "When importing multiple files, import in chronological order."
Note: Once you have posted vouchers from an imported period, the import can no longer be deleted. Make sure the figures look right before you start posting.
Exporting a SAF-T file
Go to Administration → Data transfer → SAF-T Financial and click Export. Fill in:
Period – choose the year and/or month you want to export (the default is all periods).
Contact person – first and last name (required).
E-mail – pre-filled with your email address.
Phone – pre-filled with your phone number.
Click Export. The file is downloaded straight to your computer.
IMPORTANT! Verify that the figures are correct
After the import, check that the following match your old system:
Trial balance – confirm that every account has the correct balance.
Customer ledger (accounts receivable) – check that open items are assigned to the correct customer.
Supplier ledger (accounts payable) – check that open items are assigned to the correct supplier.
If everything matches, you can import the next financial year the same way.
Note: Once you start posting, the import is locked and cannot be deleted without causing errors. Verify thoroughly before you post anything.
Import log
Under Administration → Data transfer → Log you will find an overview of all SAF-T imports with file name and type.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import several years at once?
No. Import one file at a time and start with the oldest year. The order matters because Catacloud builds the balances up chronologically.
Phone numbers and emails on customers and suppliers were not imported – is that a bug?
No, that is expected. Contact details such as phone and email are not always included in the SAF-T file format. You need to add this information manually on each customer card and supplier card after the import.
I get an error message during import – what do I do?
Errors are shown one at a time. Common causes are:
Invalid account: The chart of accounts in the SAF-T file does not match the chart of accounts in Catacloud. Check the account numbers.
Account without a ledger: Some entries are posted to a ledger account (e.g. accounts payable 2400) without being linked to a supplier. This needs manual handling after the import.
Wrong file format: Make sure the file is a valid SAF-T Financial XML file (not a ZIP or CSV).
Fix the error and upload the file again. Repeat until all errors are resolved.
Can I delete an import?
You can only delete an import if no vouchers in the imported period have been posted. Once you have started posting after the import, the import cannot be deleted.
When should you contact us?
Get in touch with support if:
You keep getting error messages that you cannot interpret.
The balances after import look wrong even though you imported in the correct order.
Please include: your organisation number, the year concerned, and a copy of the error message.