Steps
- Open Create Invoice. In the sidebar, open Sell and click Create Invoice.
- Choose Proforma. Fill in the Customer and Sale Date, then set Status to Proforma.
- Add the lines. Add the products, quantities and prices, with any discount, order tax and shipping charges, and click Save.
- Or convert an existing quote. In Sell > List quotations or List Drafts, open the Action menu and choose Convert to Proforma Invoice.
- Send it. Print it or download the PDF from the Action menu and send it to the customer with your payment details.
- Convert to a final invoice. When the deposit arrives or goods are ready to ship, choose Convert to invoice. The final invoice moves stock and takes the payment.
Proforma versus a final invoice
A proforma invoice states what the customer will be charged, but it isn't the final tax invoice and doesn't move stock or count as a sale in your reports. Use it for deposits on custom orders, for customers whose purchasing department needs a document before paying, or for export paperwork. Record the money against the final invoice once you convert it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a proforma invoice count as a sale?
No. Like a draft or quotation, it moves no stock and doesn't count in sales reports until you convert it to an invoice. The final invoice is the one that shows in All Sales as a sale with payments.
Where do I find my proforma invoices?
Proforma invoices carry a Proforma invoice badge in the drafts and quotations lists, depending on where they started. Use the list's filters and the badge to find them.