How To Fix 'Invalid Length' Error When Validating BIR DAT File

Problem Scenario:

For BIR SLP - DAT File, you may check/validate if there will be errors in the data by using BIR’s Alphalist.

Go to this link and download the installer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/index.php/downloadables.html

Upon validation of BIR SLP - DAT File, there are instances that an error message about Invalid Length is shown in the text file. Refer to below screenshot

When opening the exported file from QNE,

Notice that there are Branch Codes with 3 and 5 characters which is acceptable and is really used as of today.

Resolution:

BIR Alphalist has no standardized length in Branch Code but the current Alphalist invalidates Branch Codes that is not of 4 characters.

To resolve these errors, Go to QnE and amend the Branch Codes. For the data in the first and last lines, Go to Company Profile and amend the Branch Code beside the TIN No. field

Refer to the BIR error message to know the line number where the problem occurs and to know whose supplier details must be adjusted.

Go to Supplier Form and amend the Branch Code.

Regenerate and reopen the exported SLP DAT File, below should be the expected output

No issues found after validating again.