Reference
ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile
BASIC WL (“without lines”) focuses on header-level totals and parties, without structured line item details.
Profile overview
ZUGFeRD BASIC WL is the profile to read when you need a practical invoice PDF with structured header data, totals, and payment context, but no individual line items.
This article treats ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile as a practical reference, not just a navigation page. It explains the term or workflow in context, shows why it matters for European e-invoicing, and connects the topic to invoice creation, validation, routing, archiving, and ERP implementation decisions.
Recommended for
Recommended for is where the general explanation of ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile becomes operational. The section focuses on Invoices where line item automation is not required and Legacy workflows that still need some structured data, so it can be used to check the required fields, process decisions, and validation controls before the invoice workflow is used in production.
- Invoices where line item automation is not required
- Legacy workflows that still need some structured data
What it typically includes
What it typically includes is where the general explanation of ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile becomes operational. The section focuses on Invoice header and parties, Totals and tax information and Payment information (basic), so it can be used to check the required fields, process decisions, and validation controls before the invoice workflow is used in production.
- Invoice header and parties
- Totals and tax information
- Payment information (basic)
Limitations
Limitations is where the general explanation of ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile becomes operational. The section focuses on No structured line item data and Not a substitute for EN 16931 profile requirements, so it can be used to check the required fields, process decisions, and validation controls before the invoice workflow is used in production.
- No structured line item data
- Not a substitute for EN 16931 profile requirements
Typical use cases
Typical use cases is where the general explanation of ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile becomes operational. The section focuses on Summary invoices where details stay in attachments and Simple service invoices billed as a total, so it can be used to check the required fields, process decisions, and validation controls before the invoice workflow is used in production.
- Summary invoices where details stay in attachments
- Simple service invoices billed as a total
How to choose this profile
How to choose this profile is where the general explanation of ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile becomes operational. The section focuses on Choose BASIC WL if your downstream system only needs invoice-level totals and party data, Use BASIC when line items, quantities, and prices must be machine-readable and Upgrade to EN 16931 when the recipient expects compliance-oriented structured data, so it can be used to check the required fields, process decisions, and validation controls before the invoice workflow is used in production.
- Choose BASIC WL if your downstream system only needs invoice-level totals and party data.
- Use BASIC when line items, quantities, and prices must be machine-readable.
- Upgrade to EN 16931 when the recipient expects compliance-oriented structured data.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions answers the practical questions that usually appear after reading the main explanation of ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile. The answers focus on Why does BASIC WL have no line items, Is BASIC WL a good choice for simple AP automation and Can I use BASIC WL for compliance-heavy customers and are written to clarify implementation choices quickly.
Why does BASIC WL have no line items?
It is designed for workflows where the invoice summary is enough and detailed rows stay in the source system, attachment, or separate document.
Is BASIC WL a good choice for simple AP automation?
Yes, when your automation only needs header data, totals, and payment information. If you need matching by quantity or item, BASIC is the better fit.
Can I use BASIC WL for compliance-heavy customers?
Only if the customer accepts that profile. Many compliance-oriented workflows expect line-level detail or EN 16931-conform data instead.
Create a ZUGFeRD file
Convert a PDF invoice to ZUGFeRD and choose the best matching profile. Create a ZUGFeRD file connects ZUGFeRD BASIC WL profile with the next useful reference pages and tools. These links are included to support a complete workflow, from understanding Convert to ZUGFeRD to validating or converting the invoice file.