Tally Export › Tally XML format

Tally XML import format explained

Tally reads an XML "request" that says what to import and then carries the data. Knowing its shape helps you read an error message or check a file.

The envelope

<ENVELOPE>
 <HEADER><TALLYREQUEST>Import Data</TALLYREQUEST></HEADER>
 <BODY><IMPORTDATA>
  <REQUESTDESC><REPORTNAME>All Masters</REPORTNAME></REQUESTDESC>
  <REQUESTDATA><TALLYMESSAGE xmlns:UDF="TallyUDF"> … </TALLYMESSAGE></REQUESTDATA>
 </IMPORTDATA></BODY>
</ENVELOPE>

REPORTNAME is All Masters for the ledgers file and Vouchers for the vouchers file.

A ledger

<LEDGER NAME="Shree Traders" ACTION="Create">
 <NAME>Shree Traders</NAME>
 <PARENT>Sundry Debtors</PARENT>
 <ADDRESS.LIST TYPE="String"><ADDRESS>12 Market Road</ADDRESS><ADDRESS>Pune</ADDRESS></ADDRESS.LIST>
 <PINCODE>411001</PINCODE><COUNTRYNAME>India</COUNTRYNAME><LEDSTATENAME>Maharashtra</LEDSTATENAME>
</LEDGER>

PARENT must be a group in Tally. This site uses Tally's standard groups: Sundry Debtors, Sundry Creditors, Sales Accounts, Purchase Accounts, Duties & Taxes, Indirect Expenses, Cash-in-Hand, Bank Accounts.

A voucher

<VOUCHER VCHTYPE="Sales" ACTION="Create" OBJVIEW="Accounting Voucher View">
 <DATE>20261105</DATE><VOUCHERTYPENAME>Sales</VOUCHERTYPENAME><VOUCHERNUMBER>INV/26-27/101</VOUCHERNUMBER>
 <PERSISTEDVIEW>Accounting Voucher View</PERSISTEDVIEW><ISINVOICE>No</ISINVOICE>
 <ALLLEDGERENTRIES.LIST><LEDGERNAME>Shree Traders</LEDGERNAME><ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE>Yes</ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE>
   <ISPARTYLEDGER>Yes</ISPARTYLEDGER><AMOUNT>-39270.00</AMOUNT>
   <BILLALLOCATIONS.LIST><NAME>INV/26-27/101</NAME><BILLTYPE>New Ref</BILLTYPE><AMOUNT>-39270.00</AMOUNT></BILLALLOCATIONS.LIST>
 </ALLLEDGERENTRIES.LIST>
 <ALLLEDGERENTRIES.LIST><LEDGERNAME>Sales</LEDGERNAME><ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE>No</ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE><AMOUNT>37400.00</AMOUNT></ALLLEDGERENTRIES.LIST>
 <ALLLEDGERENTRIES.LIST><LEDGERNAME>Output IGST</LEDGERNAME><ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE>No</ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE><AMOUNT>1870.00</AMOUNT></ALLLEDGERENTRIES.LIST>
</VOUCHER>

The signs

• A debit is ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE Yes with a minus amount (the customer above, -39,270).
• A credit is ISDEEMEDPOSITIVE No with a plus amount (sales 37,400 + IGST 1,870).
• Debits and credits of every voucher must add up to the same total, or Tally refuses it.
• Dates are written YYYYMMDD: 5 November 2026 is 20261105.

Bill types are New Ref (a new bill), Agst Ref (against an earlier bill), Advance and On Account.