Rev. 09/30/14

LIST OF CREDITORS (MATRIX) – UPLOAD LIST OF CREDITORS AS A TEXT (.txt) FILE

• FORMATTING THE LIST TO UPLOAD INTO CM/ECF AS A TEXT (.txt) FILE
• CONVERTING THE LIST TO A TEXT (.txt) FILE
• UPLOADING THE TEXT (.txt) FILE INTO CM/ECF

OVERVIEW:

The list of creditors (matrix) is to contain each creditor’s name and mailing address.  This information is used for noticing and also for claims information when applicable.  The content of the list of creditors is to be in compliance with the Formatting Standards and the guidelines in this document. It must be saved in an ASCII DOS text file format before it can be successfully uploaded into CM/ECF.  These procedures are NOT to be used for uploading creditors due to amendments to schedules. See – Amendments to the Petition/Matrix/Schedules

 I.  Formatting the List of Creditors (Matrix) to Upload into CM/ECF as a Text (.txt) File

A. Names and addresses are to be typed in a single column with a blank line separating each creditor name/address block.

B. The list of creditors is to be left-justified with a one-inch margin at the top, bottom and on the sides.

C. Acceptable typestyles are:  Times New Roman; Courier or Courier New.

D. Do NOT use multiple columns, headers, footers or page numbers.

E. The name and address (together) for each creditor cannot be more than six (6) lines.

1. First line is to be the creditor name (maximum of fifty (50) characters).

2. Address can be no more than five (5) lines (maximum of forty (40) characters each line).

3. The last address line must contain the city, state and zip code, except if it is a foreign address. See – Formatting Standards (Section V. Foreign Addresses)

4. Each line must begin with a letter or a digit. 

 F.  Account numbers should never be on the first or last line of a creditor’s address.

G.  Abbreviations used in addresses for states and secondary units should conform with Official USPS Abbreviations.  A list of official USPS abbreviations for States, Territories, Street Suffixes and Secondary Units is available on the USPS website at    https://www.usps.com/send/official-abbreviations.htm.

H. Do NOT use special characters in name or address fields.  See – Formatting Standards (Section I.G. Invalid Special Characters)

 II.  Converting the List of Creditors (Matrix) to a Text (.txt) File

A. General Information

1. The list of creditors (matrix) is required to be in an ASCII DOS text file before it can be successfully uploaded into CM/ECF.

2. This file format is supported by all major word processes and many of the major Bankruptcy software programs.

B. Using Microsoft Word

1. From the File Menu, select Save As…

2. Navigate to the correct drive and folder using the Save in list.

3. Accept or enter a new File name.

4. In the Save as type drop-down list select either Plain Text (*.txt) or Text Only (*.txt), depending on the version of Word being used.

5. Click the Save button to create the text file of the list of creditors.

C. Using WordPerfect

1. From the File Menu, select Save As…

2. Navigate to the correct drive and folder using the Save in list.

3. Accept or enter a new File name.

4. In the Save as type drop-down list select ASCII DOS Text (*.txt)..

5. Click the Save button to create the text file of the list of creditors.

III. Uploading the List of Creditors (Matrix) Text (.txt) File into CM/ECF

A.  Log into CM/ECF and select Creditor Maintenance…, Upload list of creditors file.  You will be prompted to browse to the drive and folder where the .txt file was saved in Section II of this document.

B.  After uploading the List of Creditors (Matrix) Text (.txt) File, a docket entry is to be made indicating the creditor list was uploaded.  See -- List of Creditors (Matrix) – Processing