How to Capture IRN Data for Purchase Invoice Reconciliation
Question details
The user needs to capture the Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and invoice date from a large volume of purchase invoices to successfully reconcile them with GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B returns.

- Product
- Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Processing high volumes of purchase invoices requiring precise data extraction for automated GST workflows.
- Observed behavior
- Requires a reliable workflow or product-specific guidance to scan invoices, extract IRN details, and match them against official GST portal records.
Ensure you have downloaded your latest GSTR-2A or GSTR-2B files from the GST portal and gathered all scanned digital copies of your purchase invoices into a single directory.
Consult the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Community for ERP Automation
For high-volume automated IRN capture, leverage the dedicated enterprise workflows and scanning integrations available in Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Since capturing IRN at an enterprise scale often involves deep ERP integration, the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform supports specialized GST add-ins and OCR invoice scanning workflows tailored for Indian tax compliance.
Navigate your web browser to the official Microsoft Dynamics 365 Community at https://community.dynamics.com.
Use the search bar to look for 'IRN capture automation' or 'GST reconciliation' to find existing modules, scripts, or third-party add-ins recommended by experts.
Create a new thread detailing your current invoice scanning setup and ask for product-specific guidance on mapping IRN data to your Dynamics 365 purchase ledgers.

Extract and Reconcile Manually Using Spreadsheets and PDF OCR
Use PDF document processors to extract IRN text from digital invoices and organize it in a spreadsheet for VLOOKUP-based reconciliation.
Simplify IRN Extraction and GST Reconciliation with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite of tools perfectly suited for finance professionals. With built-in PDF OCR to pull IRN data from invoices and advanced spreadsheet functions for matching records, you can build a fast, reliable reconciliation workflow without expensive ERP add-ins.
- 1. Extract Text from Invoices: Open your scanned purchase invoices in WPS PDF and use the 'Picture to Text' (OCR) feature to seamlessly capture the IRN.
- 2. Format Data in WPS Spreadsheet: Export or paste the captured IRN data into a new WPS Spreadsheet, organizing it alongside your internal purchase register.
- 3. Import GST Return Data: Open your GSTR-2A/2B Excel files directly in WPS Spreadsheet alongside your formatted data.
- 4. Reconcile Records: Apply the VLOOKUP formula to cross-reference the extracted IRNs against the GST portal data to quickly spot discrepancies.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IRN in a purchase invoice?
IRN stands for Invoice Reference Number. It is a unique 64-character hash generated by the Government's Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for every electronic invoice under the GST system.
Why is reconciling IRN with GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B necessary?
Reconciliation ensures that the invoices in your internal purchase register match the data uploaded by your suppliers to the GST portal. This process is legally required to accurately claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) and prevent tax liabilities.
Can I automatically extract IRN data from a PDF invoice into a spreadsheet?
Yes, by using PDF editing software that includes OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, you can convert static images or scanned PDFs into editable text, allowing you to copy or export the IRN directly into spreadsheet cells.
What spreadsheet formulas are best for GST reconciliation?
VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and INDEX/MATCH are the most effective formulas for GST reconciliation. They allow you to search for specific invoice numbers or IRNs from your purchase register and find the corresponding match in your downloaded GSTR-2B data.




