Factur-X is an invoice format that looks like a normal PDF but includes structured XML data your accounting or accounts payable (AP) system can read automatically. If your company has a French billing entity, you can choose Factur-X as your invoice format in Company settings. Eligible invoices generated after you turn it on will be available as Factur-X hybrid PDFs when downloaded from the Billing page or sent by email.
What Factur-X is
Factur-X is a hybrid invoice format. It combines:
- A standard PDF invoice that looks the same as today
- A machine-readable XML file embedded inside the PDF
When you open a Factur-X invoice, it looks like a regular PDF. The embedded XML is not visible in a normal PDF viewer, but compatible accounting or AP systems can read it automatically.
Perk uses the EN 16931 COMFORT profile, a European standard for structured invoice data. The embedded file includes structured information such as:
- Supplier and customer details
- Invoice date and due date
- Line items with the applicable VAT treatment and amounts
- Total amounts
Because the data is already structured, your accounting or AP system can extract it without manual data entry.
Why Factur-X matters for French companies
France's e-invoicing framework is changing how many French companies expect to receive and process supplier invoices. Even when a supplier invoice is not submitted through the French network by the supplier, many AP teams want invoice data in a structured, machine-readable format so their accounting systems can ingest it automatically.
Factur-X helps by embedding structured invoice data inside the PDF. This can reduce manual data entry, lower the risk of data-entry errors, and support your e-invoicing or reporting workflows where applicable.
Who can use Factur-X in Perk
Factur-X is available for Perk accounts with a French billing entity, where the billing country is set to France. Perk supports Factur-X for eligible Perk-issued invoices for French billing entities. Credit notes for eligible Perk-issued invoices are planned as a follow-up phase. If an invoice is not eligible for Factur-X, it will continue to be delivered as a standard PDF.
Turn on Factur-X
Company admins can turn on Factur-X from the billing documents page.
- Go to Invoices Billing documents.
- Click the settings icon in the top right corner and select Invoice format.
- Select Factur-X.
- Save your changes.
The setting controls the format of eligible invoices generated from that point forward, including invoices downloaded from the Billing page and invoices emailed automatically via your payment profile.
Switch back to standard PDF
You can switch back to standard PDF (without an embedded XML) at any time. The change applies to eligible invoices generated after you save the setting.
- Go to Invoices Billing documents.
- Click the settings icon and select Invoice format.
- Select Standard PDF.
- Save your changes.
Download Factur-X invoices
When Factur-X is set as your company's invoice format, eligible invoices you download from the Billing page are Factur-X hybrid PDFs. The download button shows the file format as PDF Factur-X. The file opens normally in any PDF viewer, but also contains embedded XML data that compatible accounting or Accounts Payable (AP) systems can read.
Receive Factur-X invoices by email
Perk automatically forwards invoices to the email address set in your payment profile. When Factur-X is turned on for your company, eligible forwarded invoices are sent in Factur-X format. There is no separate email-format setting. Email delivery follows the invoice format setting in the Billing documents. The timing, sender, and forwarding address settings remain unchanged.
What changes and what stays the same
Changing your Invoice format only affects invoices generated after you save the setting. Invoices already issued before the change remain in their original format and can't be regenerated in a different format.
| What changes | What stays the same |
|---|---|
| Eligible invoices include embedded XML data | The PDF looks the same |
| Compatible accounting/AP systems can read invoice data automatically | The download button still says PDF |
| New eligible invoices use the selected format | Delivery timing and method stay the same |
| You can switch between Factur-X and Standard PDF | Existing invoices are not converted |
What Factur-X does not cover
Factur-X makes invoice data machine-readable, but it does not mean Perk submits invoices to the French tax authority or through a French e-invoicing platform. Perk is not connected to DGFiP, PPF, Chorus Pro, or an approved platform for this flow. Your company should continue to follow its own AP, e-invoicing, and reporting processes where applicable.
If you have questions about your company's specific obligations, check with your approved platform provider or tax adviser. Perk support can confirm what is included in the Factur-X file, but can't provide tax compliance advice.
Troubleshooting
If your accounting system can't import a Factur-X invoice, contact Perk support with:
- The invoice ID
- Your accounting or AP system name
- The system version, if known
- The error message or screenshot