How the IDR recognises the Belgian structured payment reference (OGM) on PDF invoices and maps it to the e-invoice.
In Belgium, the structured payment reference (OGM) is a widely used payment identifier on invoices. It is a unique code that automatically links the payment to the correct invoice at the recipient. eConnect recognises this payment reference automatically on PDF invoices and transfers it to the e-invoice.
The OGM (Overschrijvingsbericht met Gestructureerde Mededeling) is a Belgian standard format for payment references. It consists of 12 digits, split into three groups and surrounded by plus signs:
+++XXX/XXXX/XXXXX+++
The last two digits form a checksum: the remainder after dividing the first ten digits by 97. If the result is 0, 97 is used as the checksum. This built-in check makes the format reliable and ensures typing errors are caught.
Example: +++090/9337/55493+++. Here 090933755 are the first nine digits, 49 is the sequence number, and 3 is the checksum (90933755493 mod 97 = 3).
The IDR (Intelligent Document Recogniser) automatically recognises the OGM on Belgian PDF invoices. The system looks for the characteristic pattern of plus signs and digits, and validates the checksum to confirm it is a valid payment reference.
After recognition, the OGM is placed in the payment reference field of the e-invoice (the PaymentMeans/PaymentID element in UBL). That lets the recipient automatically match the payment to the invoice in their accounting system.
Recognition of the Belgian OGM format is part of the Professional version of the IDR.
Do you send invoices to Belgian customers and want to add a structured payment reference? In the eConnect platform you can generate an OGM when creating an invoice. Click "Edit" next to the payment reference field to add a structured payment reference. The platform automatically generates a valid OGM number including the correct checksum.
Besides the Belgian OGM, the IDR also recognises payment references from other countries:
All of these recognitions are part of the Professional version of the IDR.
Yes, the IDR automatically recognises the OGM format on Belgian PDF invoices. The system looks for the characteristic pattern of plus signs and digits (+++XXX/XXXX/XXXXX+++) and validates the checksum to confirm it is a valid payment reference. This recognition is part of the Professional version of the IDR.
Yes, when creating an invoice in the eConnect platform you can generate a structured payment reference. Click "Edit" next to the payment reference field to add an OGM. The platform automatically generates a valid OGM number including the correct checksum.
Yes, besides the Belgian OGM the IDR also recognises the Norwegian KID number and payment details from the QR code on Swiss invoices. All of these recognitions are part of the Professional version of the IDR.
Want to know more about the technology behind invoice recognition? Read How does Scan & Recognise (IDR/OCR) work?.
Read how to submit invoices