How to Open or Convert a LEDES File in Microsoft Excel

You can easily open or convert a LEDES file into an Excel spreadsheet for easier viewing or analysis. LEDES files are typically pipe-delimited (|) and saved with a .txt file extension, which means they won't automatically open in a readable column format unless imported correctly.

Follow the steps below to open your LEDES file in Excel.

📂️ Step 1: Download the LEDES File from Brightflag

Before opening the file in Excel, you’ll need to download the LEDES invoice file submitted by your vendor.

Follow these steps to download the LEDES file that your vendor uploaded: https://help.brightflag.com/hc/en-us/articles/18285939133853-How-to-Download-Invoice-Files 

📄 Step 2: Open Excel

• Launch Microsoft Excel.
• Open a blank workbook.

🗂️ Step 3: Import the LEDES File

1. Go to File > Open > Browse.
2. In the file selection window:
   • Set the file type to All Files
   • Locate and select your .txt LEDES file.
3. If prompted, choose Delimited as the file type.
4. Click Next.

🔍 Tip: LEDES files often use the pipe symbol (|) as a delimiter.

⚖️ Step 4: Select the Delimiter

1. On the delimiter selection screen:
   • Check Other.
   • Enter the pipe symbol (|).
2. Click Finish.

Excel will now import the file, displaying the data neatly separated into columns.

⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips

❗ Data appears in a single column?
Make sure you've selected "Delimited" and entered | as the delimiter.

🧾 Special characters or garbled text?
Try importing the file using UTF-8 encoding by using Excel's Data > Get Data > From Text/CSV option (available on most newer Excel versions).