Back Order Parts on Invoice

Hello leeanne10,

Letting your customers know what you've shipped and what's on back order is a key part of communication and keeping them up-to-date with their purchases from you. I can absolutely see why you'd want to include details about back orders on your invoices and can let you know the options available in QuickBooks Online.

I'm glad to see that you've determined how to show the quantity being shipped. To indicate what items and their quantity are on back order, I recommend considering fields such as the Description field or even the Message on invoice since QuickBooks Online doesn't currently have the option to add a column for back orders. Another option you can consider is adding a custom field to your forms and calling it "Back Order" or something of that sort.

Custom fields are available in QuickBooks Online Essentials and Plus accounts and there are a few ways to add them, such as through the custom form styles or in your account's settings. I'll walk you through how to do it via the account's settings.

1. Select the Gear icon.
2. Choose Account and settings.
3. Click the Sales tab.
4. Click the Sales form content section.
5. Use the Name fields in the Custom fields section to add one for Back Orders.
6. Make sure the checkbox for Public is selected so your customers can see it.
7. Click Save.

A great thing about custom fields is they will only appear on the form if you use them. This means, if you enter something in the custom field on your invoice, the customer will see it too, but if it's left blank, they won't.

We're always exploring ways to enhance what QuickBooks Online has to offer business owners and bookkeepers, and since this is an important field for you, I encourage you to leave feedback. The How do I submit feedback? article walks you through the steps to do so, and then your comments are forwarded to the product development team for consideration as they continue to evolve the program.

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them. Have a great day!

@leeanne10 

You may need an inventory management app to do so. You can show the "not invoiced" quantity in the invoice.

It would really be more HELPFUL to be able to add a column for Back Orders that way the client would see the item and the quantity of Backordered Items would be in that column.

Hi Almm,

Thanks for reaching out here.  QuickBooks Desktop is a powerful program that allows you to complete your daily bookkeeping tasks with peace of mind.  I can see how beneficial it would be to have the backorder column on invoices.  I'll be happy to provide more information so you're on the right track with your work.

Although you can't track backorders on invoices, you can customize a report to see what items are on backorder by following these steps:

1. Open Reports from the menu and from Sales select Open sales orders by item

2. Enter the Dates and open Customize report

3. From the Columns section in the Display tab, choose only Backordered

4. Hit OK

Please feel free to reach back out with any other questions.  We'd be glad to assist!

Are you sure?  I talked with my friend today and we did a remote session and his works exactly they way I am looking for, he can print packing slip showing the proper qty still out standing / backordered without having a column to enter numbers manually  but I just can't get my templates to do the same, we both have premier version

Hi Almm,

Thanks for getting back to me.  I'm confident with the information I've provided and understand where you're coming from, when seeing it in action through your friend's account.  I'd like to ensure we're on the right track with meeting your goal and recommend contacting us.  This will give us the opportunity to work with you in real time so you can get back to what you enjoy without further delay.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any other questions.  We're here for you!

How was this resolved? I too don't understand why on a packing list for a backorder the packing list doesn't show the quantity as the backordered quantity. It shows the original amount of the order. This is quite useless. Even the picklist isn't correct.

Does anyone know how to go in when you want to fulfill a backorder and get a correct packing slip of the backordered quantities only??!

Hello hcarnduff. Thanks for taking the time to chime in on this thread. I see my colleague has responded back to you with an answer to your question already. Feel free to check it out using this link here. You can also keep track of your backordered/unfulfilled quantities and dollar amount using the Open Sales Order by Item report from your Reports Center. This report will show separate columns including Quantity, Backordered, Invoiced, etc. Let me know if this info helps. Otherwise, I'll be on standby in case you have other questions. 

Is this feature available for QuickBooks Plus online?  I am working remotely and need to create a backorder report for individual items.  The invoice should also show the backordered amount.  I am having no luck getting an answer to my query...JOE

I cannot find 'Columns section' and certainly have not found 'Backordered' (see below)...

Although you can't track backorders on invoices, you can customize a report to see what items are on backorder by following these steps:

1. Open Reports from the menu and from Sales select Open sales orders by item

2. Enter the Dates and open Customize report

3. From the Columns section in the Display tab, choose only Backordered

4. Hit OK

Dear Quickbooks:

Tracking back-orders on invoices for drop shipped and partially delivered list of items is a BASIC FUNCTION.  I recently switched to QBO from desktop and I am in disbelief that the software cannot handle this.  I think I will now have to switch back to desktop or some other software.  I am perplexed at how you can put a product out on the marked without this capability.  A work-around is not a solution.  Is QBO intended for real businesses or just independent people selling ice cream cones?

Hello There, is this option of showing the back order on an invoice is available in QB desktop enterprise?

Hello leanne10. The function you've described isn't available in QuickBooks. You'll have to use the info found on reports as advised above in order to view h backordered quantity. In the meantime, feel free to ask other questions. I'll be here.