---
title: "Manually adding external bank accounts to Payhawk"
slug: "manually-adding-external-bank-accounts-to-payhawk"
description: "Add an external bank account to Payhawk manually, turn on SEPA XML payment run files for it, and rename or remove the account later from the Funds app."
updated: 2026-10-27T14:17:11Z
published: 2026-10-27T14:17:11Z
canonical: "payhawk.com/manually-adding-external-bank-accounts-to-payhawk"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://payhawk.com/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manually adding external bank accounts to Payhawk

Apart from adding external accounts through the Yapily open banking API and linking them to Payhawk, you can also manually add accounts to the system.

These accounts can be used as a payment source for expenses marked as paid in Payhawk, allowing you to download SEPA XML payment run files for seamless processing.

## Adding external bank accounts

To manually add an external account to Payhawk:

1. In the [Payhawk Web Portal](https://portal.payhawk.com), open the app switcher in the top-left corner and go to **Funds**.
2. At the top of the page, click on **Link external**.
3. In the panel that opens, select the **+ Manually add account** option.
4. Enter the credentials your bank requires you to log in and click on **Save**.

![Funds accounts list with the Link external button, the Select your bank panel and the Manually add account form filled in.](https://cdn.payhawk.com/Navigation%20images%20Desi_20261008/manually_add_external_bank_account_2_20261008_ai.png)
5. (Optional) Under the **Settings** tab of the newly linked account, you can enable the usage of payment run files for this bank account when paying expenses outside Payhawk:
  1. Switch on the **Use payment file** toggle.
  2. In the dialog that opens, select the SEPA XML format.
  3. To edit the format or version of the selected payment run files, click on the **Edit** (pencil) icon, update the format or version, and click on **Save**.![Settings tab of an external bank account with Use payment file switched on and the Payment file templates panel open.](https://cdn.payhawk.com/Navigation%20images%20Desi_20261008/edit_payment_run_files_20261008_ai.png)

## Naming external bank accounts

To name the desired external bank account:

1. Click on its three-dot menu and select **Name this account**.
2. In the dialog that opens, fill in the desired name and click on **Save**.

![Three-dot menu of an external bank account open, showing Name this account and Remove.](https://cdn.payhawk.com/Navigation%20images%20Desi_20261008/external_bank_account_menu_20261008_ai.png)

## Deleting external bank accounts

To delete an external bank account:

1. Click on its three-dot menu and select **Remove**.
2. In the dialog that opens, confirm and click on **Delete**.

![Three-dot menu of an external bank account open, showing Name this account and Remove.](https://cdn.payhawk.com/Navigation%20images%20Desi_20261008/external_bank_account_menu_20261008_ai.png)

## Useful resources

- [Linking and unlinking bank accounts to Payhawk](/help/linking-and-unlinking-bank-accounts-to-payhawk)