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  1. Support Centre
  2. Account setup & management
  3. Moving existing customers to GoCardless

Preparing customer migration data

  • Prepare migration data
  • Download the bulk change csv template
  • Upload the completed bulk change csv template
  • Convert a CSV spreadsheet for Excel or Numbers

Prepare migration data

To migrate your existing bank debit clients into GoCardless, we need to recreate their authorisations (mandates) in our system. To do this, we need their information.

IMPORTANT: For privacy and data security reasons, we cannot obtain your clients' data from your previous payment provider on your behalf. As the controller of their data, you will need to obtain this information and upload it into GoCardless so that we can complete their set-up. This will ensure that their service and payment cycle can continue seamlessly, with no action required on their part.

The data required to set up your customers in GoCardless varies depending on where they, or more specifically, their bank accounts, are located. Each bank debit scheme imposes requirements on what information is necessary to set up a bank debit authorisation on a bank account in their country/region of operation.

Please note: We provide country (or region) specific csv templates that include columns for all the data we require for your customers in each case. These can be downloaded via your GoCardless account import tool once made accessible to you by your Onboarding Manager. To obtain the csv template earlier, please ask them to send it to you directly.

Download the bulk change csv template

Once you have submitted your bulk change information via the dashboard, you'll be able to download the customers' data CSV template by following these steps:

  1. Open the Import Tool within your dashboard via manage.gocardless.com/imports
  2. Click Import > Bulk migrate customers > Continue
  3. From the drop down, select the currency and scheme option that matches the csv data file you wish to upload
  4. Click Download CSV template > Download template

Once the download is complete, open the file to find the required data field columns ready for your client’s information to be added.

Please note: The spreadsheet must be set to Text format to ensure the data saves in the correct format and can be validated via our Import Tool. Please see below for a guide on how to do this in Microsoft Excel (Windows) and Numbers (Mac).

Upload the completed bulk change csv template

The final step in the client migration process is to import your clients’ data into GoCardless to recreate their authorisations (mandates). 

Follow these steps to complete the import process:

  1. Open the Import Tool within your dashboard via manage.gocardless.com/imports
  2. Click Import > Bulk migrate customers > Continue
  3. From the drop down, select the currency and scheme option that matches the csv data file you wish to upload
  4. Follow the on-screen steps and select the saved data file from your computer or device
  5. Click Upload file and wait for the validation to complete
  6. If any errors are found, you’ll have the option to download an error file
  7. Rows without errors will be validated, and you'll be able to submit them for approval.
  8. Once you've corrected the errors in your file, repeat steps 2 to 7 to re-upload the corrected rows. Make sure to only upload the rows that contain errors.

Our Customer Onboarding team will be notified that you have completed the import process. They will then review the information before completing the final step and confirming completion with you.

Convert a CSV spreadsheet for Excel or Numbers

A bulk change CSV spreadsheet must be set to Text format to ensure the data saves in the correct format and can be validated via our Import Tool.

Excel (Microsoft):

This guide will explain how to change your CSV spreadsheet format for Excel (Microsoft):

  1. Click the arrow in the top left of the spreadsheet to select all cells

  2. Right-click anywhere within the selected area and select Format Cells

  3. Select Text from the options in the left column and hit OK

Numbers (Mac):

This guide will explain how to change your CSV spreadsheet format for Numbers (Mac):

  1. Click the circle in the top left of the spreadsheet to select all cells

  2. Click on Cell in the options on the right (next to Table)

  3. Under Data Format, select Text from the dropdown menu

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GoCardless Ltd (company registration number 07495895) is registered as a foreign company in Australia, ABN 17 606 261 74, and holds an Australian Financial Services licence (AFSL), number 478976.





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