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Note that this article is only relevant for you if your company is located in Germany.

Personio Payroll Implementation: Using DATEV DLS and DALY Exports

This article explains how you can use DLS export and DATEV DALY export for the implementation of Personio Payroll to ensure a successful system change.

The DATEV DLS export 

What is the DATEV DLS export?

The DATEV DLS (digital payroll interface) export allows the standardized export of wage and salary data, including employee master data and payroll values. This data can then be securely transferred to a compatible system such as the DATEV software or to your tax advisor.

Please note:
You cannot import carryover values via the DLS export. Use the DATEV DALY export as described in the section below. For general information on year-to-date imports for carryover values, please also read our article on the theme.

Perform the DLS export in DATEV

You can request a DLS export from your DATEV payroll accountant. Read on for instructions on how to create the export.

 

Instruction for DATEV LODAS

To obtain the DLS export for DATEV LODAS, you must request a payroll archive DVD. You can find out how to do this in the DATEV help center in this video tutorial and in this article. 

 

Manual for DATEV Lohn und Gehalt

You can download the DLS export from wages and salaries directly from the application. To do so, follow the steps specified in this article in the DATEV help center. Make sure to:

  • Select the correct period.
  • Select all the data under Selectable data for GDPdU. 
  • Encrypt the downloaded file.

Decode the DLS export

DATEV DLS export files are password-protected and need to be decrypted before uploading in Personio. To do this, use the ArchivDecryptNet tool included in the DLS export package and proceed as follows:

  1. The ArchivDecryptNet file is included in DATEV's DLS export package. Access it from the home directory and make sure the file is in the folder.
  2. Double-click ArchivDecryptNet to open the decryption tool.
  3. Enter the following information:
    • Target directory: Select the target directory for the decrypted import files.
    • Password: Enter the password provided to you by DATEV in the DLS export. If you don't have the password, get in touch with your DATEV contact person.
  4. Click OK to start the decryption process.
  5. Archive all files into a .zip file to upload to Personio.

For further information on the decryption process, visit the DATEV help center.

Resolve decryption problems

In the following, you can find common cases and how to resolve them.

 

File not found
If the message File not found appears when running ArchiveDecryptNet, make sure that:

  • you have removed the entire DATEV export bundle.
  • ArchivDecryptNet is located in the folder.

 

Invalid password
If the message Invalid Password appears:

  • Check that you're using the correct password that DATEV provided you with.
  • If you need to reset your password, get in touch with your DATEV contact person.

 

The decryption tool does not open
In the case that the decryption tool does not open when you double-click on ArchiveDecryptNet:

  • Try right-clicking and selecting Run as administrator
  • Ensure that your antivirus software isn't blocking the application.  

Import the DLS export into Personio

Once you have the decrypted DLS export file, you can upload it to your onboarding portal as part of the pre-implementation step.

The DATEV DALY export

What is the DATEV DALY export?

The DATEV Data Analysis System (DALY) enables the export of payroll data. These can then be carried over to a compatible system.

If you have previously done your payroll via DATEV, the DALY export is a simple and secure solution for providing the carryover values for the YTD import. To use the DALY export successfully, carry out your payroll in DATEV immediately before the system change. For general information on year-to-date imports, read our article.

Please note:
The DATEV DALY export can only be used for the YTD import for the 2025 accounting year.

Export the DALY data in DATEV

You can request a DALY export from your DATEV payroll accountant. As the export is not a standard export, you can create it individually. You can find instructions on how to create the export in this article and this article in the DATEV Help Center.

A list of all fields that the DALY export must contain for the YTD import can be found under Downloads. 

Important information on the DALY Export

Note the following about the DALY export: 

  • Fields
    • Complete the fields: Check that all the fields from the list are complete.
    • Use exact field names: Ensure that the field names are exactly as they appear in DATEV, including spaces.
    • Order of fields: irrelevant.
  • Included employees
    • Personio ID: This is not relevant for the import; use the tax identification number and social insurance number.
    • Exclude outgoing employees: Ensure that any employees who were terminated before the transfer to Personio Payroll are not included in the export.
  • File details
    • Create a year-based file: Create the file for each year individually, not for all years. Example: In cases covered by the so-called March clause.
    • Select the payroll month: In the Payroll month field, select the last month before the first real payroll in Personio Payroll.
    • Data source for the export: As data source for the export, select RZ-Lohn for LODAS or Lohn und Gehalt for LUG.
    • Generate values for a specific period: Generate the values from 01.01. to the last day of the month before your first live month with Personio Payroll.
    • Condense evaluation: Condense the evaluation to one line per employee according to the Tax identification number attribute.
    • File format: Make sure that the file format is *.xls or *.xlsx.

Import the DALY export into Personio

Once the file is complete, send it to our Payroll Specialists. They will then take care of the import into Personio.

Please note that the content of our website (including any legal information) is intended solely for the purpose of providing non-binding information and does not constitute legal advice in the true sense of the term. The content of this information cannot and should not replace individual and binding legal advice that addresses your specific situation. In this respect, all information is provided without guarantee of correctness, completeness or of being up to date.

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