LEDES Error BF109: Incorrect Number of Columns (LEDES 1998B)

What This Error Means

You are uploading a LEDES 1998B (98B) invoice, but the file does not contain the correct number of columns.

A LEDES 1998B file must contain:

Exactly 24 columns on every line.

Each line in the file must have 24 fields.

If even one line has:

• Too many columns, or

• Too few columns

you will receive error BF109.

This is a formatting issue inside the file.

How to Resolve It

Step 1: Confirm You Are Using 1998B Format

Open your file in Notepad or TextEdit.

The first line (header) should say:

LEDES1998B[]

If it does not, you may be using the wrong format.

Step 2: Check the Column Count

In a 1998B file:

• Each line must contain exactly 24 columns

• Fields are usually separated by a pipe symbol |

Check for:

• Missing fields

• Extra separators |

• Blank columns

• Misaligned data

Step 3: Fix the File

Correct the file so every line has exactly 24 columns.

After correcting the file, upload it again.