Summary · 2026-10-12

Creating e-invoices (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD) in Excel

Many small businesses write their invoices in an Excel template. From 2027/2028 those invoices must be e-invoices for German business customers – and a PDF printed from Excel does not qualify. You have three options: write the XML by hand (not realistic), upload your data to a web converter (your customer data leaves your computer), or create the files inside Excel with an add-in.

Step by step with E-Rechnung für Excel

1. Set up creates the tabs Rechnungen (invoice lines), Kunden (customers), Verkäufer (your company) and Einstellungen (settings), with sample data.
2. Enter your company once: name, address, VAT id or tax number, IBAN, e-mail and phone – XRechnung requires seller contact data.
3. Enter customers; a public-sector customer gets a Leitweg-ID.
4. Write invoice lines: one line per item, the same invoice number groups them into one invoice. Tax category per line (S standard, E exempt, AE reverse charge, K intra-EU, …).
5. Check: the pane lists problems (missing VAT id, wrong check digit, tax category vs. rate, rounding) and jumps to the cell.
6. Create: a ZUGFeRD PDF (profile EN 16931, or XRECHNUNG with a Leitweg-ID) or XRechnung XML (CII/UBL) is downloaded to your computer; the status column records the time.

Everything runs inside Excel on your device – no upload. Keep the created XML/PDF unchanged for 8 years. Details and a 30-day trial: E-Rechnung für Excel.

General information, not tax or legal advice. Sources: German VAT Act (UStG), UStDV and the BMF FAQ on e-invoicing, as of 2026-10-12.