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Importing wage files in EAMS

 

The information on this page:

  • Applies if you are reporting wages for only one employer at a time. If you want to submit wages for multiple employers at one time, follow the bulk-filing specifications.
  • Does not apply to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) wage reporting. Find details about PFML employer requirements and processes on the Paid Leave website.

Data file formats we accept

EAMS accepts wage data import files created in any of the following data file formats:

  • Comma-delimited file (.csv) This format is preferred
  • Tab-delimited text file (.txt)
  • Excel spreadsheet (.xls or. xlsx)

Data file formats we do not accept

Upgraded EAMS does not accept wage data import files created in any of the following data file formats:

  • The Social Security Administration's MMREF format
  • ASCII-delimited
  • Washington State wage format
  • Federal wage format

Editing your data in MS Excel (or another spreadsheet tool) to create an import file in any data format

If you are preparing your own wage data file — regardless of which data file format you want to import — you will likely find it easiest to use Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet tool.

Your spreadsheet must have the following eight columns. Three of the columns must contain data. The columns marked with an asterisk are required, meaning that they must be populated with data for each wage record row.

Do not include any extra columns, headers, footers, totals, notations, explanatory comments, etc., in the spreadsheet.

Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) 
This field must be numeric and may be formatted (i.e., 3 digits, dash, 2 digits, dash, 4 digits) or unformatted (nine digits) e.g., ‘123-45-6789’ or ‘123456789’ or blank, no spaces. 
An ITIN is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS to identify an individual who is not eligible to receive an SSN.

*Last Name
Please note that EAMS automatically converts all Last Name characters into capital letters to support duplicate checks by the ESD System of Record. Up to 30 characters; no special characters except hyphens, apostrophes, or spaces.

First Name
This field can be completed with a name or left blank. Up to 30 characters, with no special characters except hyphens, apostrophes or spaces. 

Middle Name
This field can be completed (with either a name or initial) or left blank. Up to 20 characters; no special characters except hyphens, apostrophes, or spaces.

Suffix
This field can be completed or left blank. The field may be formatted as (e.g., ‘Jr’, ‘Sr’, ‘1st’, ‘III’, etc.). Up to 4 characters.

*Hours
This field requires a positive whole number, rather than a decimal. Round partial/fractional hours up. Cannot be blank or more than 2,208.

*Gross Wages

This field requires a positive number and will accept a decimal point. If one is entered, you will be permitted to include two digits to the right of the decimal (e.g., ‘12345.67’). If you do not enter a decimal, the system will assume that the amount you entered is a whole number and it will add a decimal point followed by two zeros (e.g., ‘12345’ is interpreted as ‘$12,345.00’). Do not enter a negative value.

SOC
This field will accept 6 digits.

Saving your spreadsheet in comma-delimited (.csv) format

Note: The following instructions are for Excel. Directions for other software tools will vary slightly.

To convert your data from a spreadsheet into a comma-delimited file:

  1. From the Menu bar of the spreadsheet tool, select File > Save As. The Save As screen opens.
  2. Click the Browse option. The Save As > Windows Explorer opens as a secondary window.
  3. In the left pane, select the folder to which you want to save the file.
  4. Enter the name you want to assign the file in the File name field.
  5. Click in the Save as Type dropdown and select CSV (comma delimited) (*.csv).
  6. Click Save. Your spreadsheet is converted to a .csv file. The Save As > Windows Explorer secondary window closes.

 

Comma-delimited (.csv) format example

Your .csv format file will look something like this:

400-11-1111,Pink,Janet,A,Jr,400,98765,111021

402-22-2222,Brown,John,B,,456,87654.01,439199

403-33-3333,White,James,C,Sr,500,76543.15

404-44-4444,Black,Joe,D,,501,65432.20

405555555,Red,Jill,,III,502,44444

Saving your spreadsheet as an Excel spreadsheet

Note: The following instructions are for Excel. Directions for other spreadsheet tools will vary slightly.

To save your data as an Excel spreadsheet:

  1. From the Menu bar of the spreadsheet tool, select File > Save As. The Save As screen opens.
  2. Click the Browse option. The Save As > Windows Explorer opens as a secondary window.
  3. In the left pane, select the folder to which you want to save the file.
  4. Enter the name you want to assign the file In the File name field.
  5. Click Save. Your spreadsheet is saved as an Excel file. The Save As > Windows Explorer secondary window closes.

 

Excel example

Files of each of the approved data file formats can be created in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet tool. If you plan to submit an Excel spreadsheet, your data will look something like this sample; if you are converting your file to a different format, your data will look something like this before you convert it.

400-11-1111

Pink

Janet

A

Jr

400

98765

111021

402-22-2222

Brown

John

B

456

87654.01

439199

403-33-3333

White

James

C

Sr

500

76543.15

 

404-44-4444

Black

Joe

D

501

65432.20

 

405555555

Red

Jill

III

502

44444

 

Saving your spreadsheet in tab-delimited text (.txt) format

Note: The following instructions are for Excel. Directions for other spreadsheet tools will vary slightly.

To convert your data from a spreadsheet into a tab-delimited text file:

  1. From the Menu bar of the spreadsheet tool, select File > Save As. The Save As screen opens.
  2. Click the Browse option. The Save As > Windows Explorer opens as a secondary window.
  3. In the left pane, select the folder in which you want to save the file.
  4. Enter the name you want to assign the file In the File name field.
  5. Click in the Save as type dropdown and select Text (Tab delimited) (*.txt).
  6. Click Save. Your spreadsheet is converted to a .txt file. The Save As > Windows Explorer secondary window closes.

 

Tab-delimited text (.txt) format example

Your .txt format file will look something like this:

400-11-1111   Pink     Janet   A             Jr           400        98765                   111021

402-22-2222   Brown   John     B                             456        87654.01           439199

403-33-3332 White James C     Sr    500   76543.15

404-44-4444 Black Joe   D           501   65432.20

405555555   Red   Jill        III   502   44444

Error messages and warning messages

When you import a file, edits are automatically performed on the imported data. Three scenarios can unfold, depending on what kinds of problems are found, if any.

  1. Your data loads perfectly into EAMS and no errors or warnings are issued. The imported data is presented on the Washington wage detail screen. You may then import more files, edit the imported data, or proceed to the next steps in the filing process.
     
  2. Your data loads in EAMS but the validation process reveals one or more errors and warnings. The imported data is presented on the Washington wage detail screen. Any error or warning messages associated with your data appear adjacent to the wage grid. To submit your quarterly filing, you are required to resolve all errors. You can submit a quarterly filing with unresolved warnings, but they may result in financial penalties.
     
  3. Your file cannot be processed. In this scenario, an error message is displayed on the Import file screen, and the Washington wage detail screen does not open at all. For example, this could occur if your file is in the wrong format. Review your import file, correct any errors, and try again. If you are still unable to import your data, consider securely sharing your file with our support professionals. Select the feedback button in the upper right corner of EAMS and attach your import file.

Maximum records

The maximum number of records that can be imported in a single filing is 5,000. If you have more than that number of records, consider bulk filing in EAMS. Or, you can split your file into segments that each contain up to 5,000 wage records, and submit them in succession.

If you try to import a file that contains more than 5,000 records when in the single filing process, the system displays an error message on the Import file screen. It does not import the file.