Create a PO from Estimate Not Showing

Hello there, sstiening! I'm here to help you show the Purchase Order from your estimate in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

To begin with, we need to ensure that the Purchase Order feature is enabled. This could be the reason why your Purchase Order from the estimate is not visible. 

Here’s how

1. Go to Edit and select Preferences.
2. Click on Items & Inventory, then the Company Preferences tab.
3. Check the boxes next to Inventory and purchase orders are active, and select OK.

For more details on how to enter a purchase order, you can check this article: Create purchase orders in QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, you can visit this article to keep track of your sales and expenses using predefined customer, job, and sales reports: Customize customer, job, and sales reports in QuickBooks Desktop.

Please let me know if you have more questions about creating a Purchase Order or any other QuickBooks Desktop-related concerns. I'll be right here to help you. Stay safe. 

Not the issue I am having.  I can create purchase orders without problem.  My issue is, when an estimate as been created, I want to then turn that estimate into a purchase order and currently I cannot do that.  I keep reading that there should be an option at the top right that says "Create PO" from the estimate window and I do not see that.  All I have is "Create Invoice".  How can I turn an estimate into a purchase order?

Hello there, sstiening.

I'm here to assist you in converting your estimate into a purchase order using QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). 

To see the Create Purchase Order option in the Create Estimates window, the purchase order feature must be enabled. As my colleague RheaMaeH mentioned earlier, we need to ensure that the purchase order feature is turned on. You can follow the steps above to do so.

Once you have turned on the feature, you can create a purchase order from an estimate by following these steps: 

1. From the estimates window, select Create Purchase Order.
2. Select For all allowed items on the estimate if the items are from one vendor. Select For selected items... if there are items from multiple vendors, then select the items you want on your purchase order.
3. Select OK.
4. Fill out the necessary fields.
5. Select Save & Close.

For more information on creating purchase orders, you can refer to this article: Create purchase orders in QuickBooks Desktop.

If you want to learn more about tracking your income and expense transactions, you can check out these articles: 

• Get started with customer transaction workflows in QuickBooks Desktop
• Accounts Payable workflows in QuickBooks Desktop

If you have any further concerns or questions regarding the creation of a purchase order, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below. I'll be happy to help you out. Have a great day!

It is active.  There is no option on the estimate window for "create po"

Here is what I see at the top of the estimates

Not sure the screenshot was attached

I understand the importance of creating a purchase order from an estimate window in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), sstiening. I'm here to share insights about this. 

If the purchase order feature is turned on, we can perform the verify and rebuild tools to locate and fix common issues with your company file. First, let's make sure that you have updated QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release to keep your software up-to-date so you always have the latest features and fixes..

Here's how to verify data:

1. Go to the Window menu and select Close All.
2. Go to the File menu and click Utilities.
3. Select Verify Data.

To rebuild your company file data:

1. Go to the File menu, select Utilities, and click Rebuild Data.
2. Select OK.
3. Choose where you want to save your backup and click OK.
4. Enter a new file name and select Save.
5. Click  OK when you get the message Rebuild has completed.

If the issue persists, I recommend running the QuickBooks Tool Hub. This will fix common issues in the program.

Here's how:

1. Close your QuickBooks.
2. Download the most recent version (1.4.0.0) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
3. Open the downloaded file. (QuickBooksToolHub.exe)
4. Perform the steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Once done, double-click the icon to open the tool hub.

I'll also include this article to find more ideas on fixing data problems in your file: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub 

Additionally, I've added this article about pulling up reports about open Purchase orders in QBDT: Create a report of your open purchase orders. 

 Feel free to ask if you have questions or concerns about creating a purchase order from the estimate window in QBDT. I'm always here to help. Have a great day. 

Still no "Create PO" option from the estimate window.  See attached photo.  Do I need to reboot after the backup?  It did not request that I do that.

I appreciate the steps you've taken and for sharing some screenshots to make the PO option visible, @sstiening. Let me direct you to the support team that can help you make this work.

Since you've taken all the steps provided by my colleague, I recommend contacting our Live Support Team. They are equipped with the necessary tools to initiate a screen-sharing session to assist you further, investigate your account, and may create a case if necessary. Here's how:

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online company. 
2. Select Help (?).
3. Click either tab to get started: Assistant or Talk to human.
4. Search Contact Us.
5. Hit Start a chat with a support expert.

QBDT uses many file types for the storage of various sorts of data. Check out this article for the list: File types and extensions used by QuickBooks Desktop.

I always have your back if you have questions about creating purchase orders. Simply click the Reply button below or post in the Community again. Have a successful year with QuickBooks, @sstiening!

@sstiening - I'm running into the same issue as you, did you ever get any resolution on this?

Did you ever figure this out?  I'm having the same issue. 

No.  All my initial conversations with them was "it should be there"  I agree it should be, but it is not and they don't seem to know why

I must say, I never followed through with a live chat. Not sure they would be able to resolve the issue but it is possible.  You may try a live chat with someone.  I just gave up and am spending more time entering than I would like.