Invoice numbers
Invoice numbers are assigned when you finalize an invoice. Drafts stay without a final invoice number so that numbers are used only for completed, legally relevant invoices and the numbering logic stays clean.
The invoice note can be used for external references from a leading billing systems.
Why use this change?
- Less confusion: A draft clearly looks like a draft and not like an already valid invoice
- Better traceability: The final invoice number is assigned only at the binding finalization step
- Cleaner numbering logic: Pre-assigned numbers are avoided, so the sequence is easier to protect
- Clear external references: Notes from other billing systems move into the invoice note instead of the invoice number itself
How the change works
- Invoice create page: The invoice number field shows the placeholder “n/a” while the invoice is a draft.
- Draft invoice preview: The invoice number area also shows “n/a” instead of a number
- Finalized invoice: After finalization, the assigned invoice number is visible in the preview
How does the system behave?
- Create draft → No final invoice number is assigned.
- Edit draft → The invoice stays without a final number until it is finalized.
- Finalize invoice → The system assigns and stores the next sequential invoice number.
💡 Note: This change applies only to newly created invoices. Older invoices stay untouched.
FAQ
Why does my draft not have an invoice number?
A draft is not yet a finalized, legally relevant invoice. That is why the number is assigned only on finalization.
When is the invoice number generated?
The invoice number is generated exactly when the invoice is finalized and is then stored permanently.
What happens to existing invoices?
Existing invoices stay unchanged. The new logic applies only to newly created invoices, so no migration is needed.
Where should I store an external reference from another billing system now?
Use the invoice note for that. It replaces the previous workaround of manually overwriting the invoice number.