Cheque Printing in Tally Prime

Introduction to Cheque Printing in Tally Prime

Tally Prime is a complete business accounting software widely used in India and abroad. One of its important and efficient features is Cheque Printing, which helps organizations to automate their payment process by printing cheques directly from the software.

For example, instead of manually writing a cheque for ₹25,000 to "Ravi Enterprises," you can enter a payment voucher in Tally Prime and print the cheque using your bank's pre-defined format.

Importance of Cheque Printing

Cheque printing is not just about convenience—it reduces manual error, saves time, and enhances professionalism. Here's why it matters:

Accuracy: Reduces mistakes in amount, date, and name.

Speed: Generates and prints cheques in seconds.

Consistency: Ensures uniform layout and font.

Record Keeping: Automatically logs payment in accounting books.

Security: Minimizes fraud with controlled printing access.

Example: Suppose your company issues 50 cheques per month. Manual writing takes 4–5 minutes per cheque. That's over 4 hours saved each month using cheque printing in Tally.

System Requirements and Setup

Before you begin, make sure you meet the following system requirements:

Hardware:

Printer (Inkjet or Laser recommended)

A4 paper tray compatible

Cheque leaves issued by your bank

Software:

Tally Prime installed and activated

Updated Tally license

Printer driver properly configured

Benefits of Using Cheque Printing in Tally

Benefits	Explanation
Time-Saving	Automates the writing process
Improved Accuracy	Eliminates spelling or figure errors
Audit Trail	Automatically stores cheque details in system
Customization	Allows format design for different banks
Professionalism	Printed cheques enhance the company’s image

Configuring Bank Ledger for Cheque Printing

Each bank ledger must be configured before you can print cheques.

Steps:

Go to Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info → Ledgers → Alter

Select the Bank Ledger (e.g., HDFC Bank)

Enable the option: "Set/Alter Cheque Printing Configuration" → Yes

Enter the following:

Cheque Dimensions

Cheque Orientation

Date/Name/Amount Fields Coordinates

Example:

Suppose your HDFC cheque has the following settings:

Cheque Width: 18.5 cm

Name field starts at 2.5 cm from top and 1.0 cm from left

Amount in Words starts at 3.5 cm from top and 1.0 cm from left

Enabling Cheque Printing in Tally Prime

Steps to Enable:

From Gateway of Tally → F11: Features

Go to Accounting Features

Set "Enable Cheque Printing" to Yes

Designing Cheque Format

Tally Prime allows you to design and align the cheque as per your bank's cheque layout.

Fields to Customize:

Name of Payee

Amount in Figures

Amount in Words

Date

Account Payee Stamp

Authorized Signatory Position

Example:

To set the name of the payee 2.5 cm from top, and 4 cm from left, adjust those values in the cheque format layout.

Selecting Printer Type and Page Orientation

Make sure to select the correct printer type to ensure accurate alignment.

Printer Type: Dot Matrix / Inkjet / LaserJet

Page Orientation: Landscape or Portrait

Tip: Most bank cheques align well with Landscape mode.

Cheque Dimensions and Alignment

Different banks have slightly different cheque sizes. Tally allows you to configure dimensions in centimeters or inches.

Field	Example Value
Width	18.5 cm
Height	9 cm
Name Position	Top: 2.5 cm; Left: 3.0 cm
Amount Words	Top: 3.8 cm; Left: 3.0 cm
Date	Top: 1.5 cm; Left: 14.0 cm

Setting Cheque Printing Configuration in Tally

After enabling cheque printing and creating the bank ledger, follow this path:

Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info → Ledgers → Alter → Bank Ledger → Set/Alter Cheque Printing Configuration

Here you can:

Adjust cheque size

Set positions for each field

Preview alignment

Adding Multiple Bank Formats

If your organization uses multiple banks, Tally Prime allows you to set up cheque formats for each bank ledger individually.

Steps:

Go to Accounts Info → Ledgers → Alter

Select a different bank ledger (e.g., SBI)

Enable Set/Alter Cheque Printing Configuration

Set cheque dimensions and alignment as per SBI's format

Example:

HDFC and SBI cheques have different positions for fields like date or amount. You can customize each separately to ensure accurate printing.

Creating a Payment Voucher for Cheque

You must create a payment voucher to initiate cheque printing.

Steps:

Gateway of Tally → Accounting Vouchers → F5: Payment

Select the Bank Account

Enter:

Party Name

Amount

Narration

Press Ctrl + A to save

Example:

To pay ₹15,000 to M/s Nilesh Traders:

Date: 25-July-2025

Bank Account: HDFC Bank

Party: Nilesh Traders

Amount: ₹15,000

Narration: Being payment made for supplies.

Previewing Cheque Before Print

Tally allows previewing the cheque layout before actual printing.

Steps:

After saving the voucher, press Alt + P → Preview

A simulated cheque will appear showing:

Party name

Amount in words and figures

Date

Check if alignment is correct

Tip: Always preview a few cheques before mass printing to avoid waste.

Printing Cheque After Voucher Creation

After previewing, you can proceed to print.

Steps:

Open the saved payment voucher

Press Alt + P → Print

Select Cheque Printing

Press Enter

Place your pre-printed cheque into the printer and Tally will print details directly on it.

Cheque Printing from Bank Ledger

You can also print cheques directly from the bank ledger.

Steps:

Gateway of Tally → Display More Reports → Account Books → Bank Book

Select a bank (e.g., HDFC)

Choose the entry and press Alt + P → Cheque

This is helpful for bulk reprints or missing entries.

Editing Cheque Format for Different Banks

To make changes in existing format settings:

Steps:

Accounts Info → Ledgers → Alter

Choose bank ledger → Edit cheque printing format

Adjust:

Field positions

Font size

Orientation

Save and test again

Tip: Keep a printout handy to compare dimensions physically.

Common Cheque Printing Errors and Solutions

Error	Solution
Text prints off-position	Re-align fields under cheque configuration
Wrong date or party name	Check voucher details before printing
Printer skips cheques	Clean printer and check paper feed
Blank cheque printout	Ensure correct format and ink levels
Font not readable	Use supported fonts like Arial or Tally's default fonts

Post-Dated Cheques Handling

Tally allows you to manage post-dated cheques easily.

Steps:

Enter a future date in the voucher

The cheque will reflect as a Post-Dated Transaction

It won’t affect bank balances until that date

Example:

You give a cheque dated 10-Aug-2025 on 25-July-2025. Tally will not consider it in reconciliation till August 10.

Reprinting a Cheque

Need to reprint a cheque due to damage or error?

Steps:

Open the voucher → Press Alt + P → Cheque Printing

Reinsert the cheque paper and print again

You can even add a “Reprint” stamp manually if required for auditing.

Cancelled Cheques

To cancel a cheque issued:

Steps:

Go to Display → Daybook

Find the cheque voucher

Press Alt + X or choose Cancel Voucher

You can also print a cheque with “CANCELLED” typed in the payee and amount fields.

Cheque Return Entries

When a cheque bounces or is returned:

Steps:

Pass a Journal Voucher to reverse the entry

Narration: "Cheque returned due to insufficient funds"

Optionally, create a Debit Note if penalty is applied

Security Tips for Cheque Printing

Restrict access to printing functions via User Roles

Keep cheque leaves in a locked drawer

Avoid storing cheque details in unsecured locations

Regularly change passwords for Tally users

Use audit trail for monitoring activities

Best Practices for Accurate Cheque Printing

Keep a test cheque leaf for alignment

Preview before final print

Label and separate cheques by bank

Use high-quality printer ink for readability

Train staff in cheque format settings

Backup and Export of Cheque Settings

You can back up your cheque format settings for use on other systems.

Steps:

Go to Gateway → Alt + Y → Data → Backup

Select the company and path

Restore in another system using Alt + Y → Restore

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I print cheques for all banks in Tally?

Yes, provided you set up the format for each bank individually.

Q2. Does Tally support cheque printing in multi-user environment?

Yes. You can allow/restrict users for cheque printing access.

Q3. What if my cheque format is not listed?

You can manually configure the layout and save it.

Q4. How can I print 'A/C Payee Only' on cheques?

Use your bank's pre-printed cheque that already contains it or include it in narration.

Q5. Can I export cheque printing settings?

Yes, they are part of the company data backup.

Conclusion

Cheque Printing in Tally Prime streamlines the payment process by bringing efficiency, accuracy, and professionalism to the financial operations of any business. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, automating cheque handling helps in reducing human errors, improving record-keeping, and enhancing control over cash outflow.

With step-by-step configuration, custom layouts for each bank, and features like preview, post-dated cheque handling, and error recovery, Tally Prime ensures your cheque management is smart and secure.

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