How do I change the starting invoice number in QuickBooks on line. I still want QuickBooks to assign numbers, just don't want them to begin at 1.

I'll help you set the invoice number, Ginda.

First, let's change the settings and turn on the Custom transaction numbers feature. This way, you can control the sequence. Here's how:

1. Click the Gear icon.
2. Select Account and Settings.
3. Go to the Sales tab.
4. Click the Pencil icon in the Sales form content row.
5. Tick the Custom transaction numbers box.
6. Click Save, then Done. 

Once done, you can now manually add the invoice number. QuickBooks Online will remember the number and continue the sequence. 

If your customer pays the invoice, you can record the payment. 

Keep in touch with us if you have additional questions. 

This process does not work.  I have enabled custom invoice numbers, and created a series of invoices by typing in the invoice number manually.:

Next time I create an invoice the number is not correct:

Hi there, @mikeincairns. 

I can see you have duplicate posts for the same issue. Please check out the steps I shared in this link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/reports-and-accounting/re-see-this-article-on-cust.... 

Feel free to post your comment on the thread above link. I'd be here to help you with your next posts. Take care.  

I just went through this and the support rep at QBO could not figure it out, but my husband had an idea and it worked!

Here are the steps: 

1. Click "gear" icon in upper right corner

2. Click "Account Settings" in upper left column 

3. Click "Sales" in left column 

4. Click into "Sales form content" 

5. Turn off "Custom transaction numbers." 

6. Click "Save" 

7. Click "Done" 

At that point I logged out of QBO and logged back in.

I then repeated steps 1 - 4 and in step 5 I turned "on" ""Custom transaction numbers." Then I hit save and done. 

Then, I created a new invoice with my new desired invoice numbering system. I created 2021100, 2021 for the year and then 100 as a starting point. I have a "Test Client" set-up so that invoice was sent to my Test Client. 

Then I opened a new invoice and sure enough the invoice number was 2021102, voila, success! 

I just went through this and the support rep at QBO could not figure it out, but my husband had an idea and it worked!

Here are the steps: 

1. Click "gear" icon in upper right corner

2. Click "Account Settings" in upper left column 

3. Click "Sales" in left column 

4. Click into "Sales form content" 

5. Turn off "Custom transaction numbers." 

6. Click "Save" 

7. Click "Done" 

At that point I logged out of QBO and logged back in.

I then repeated steps 1 - 4 and in step 5 I turned "on" ""Custom transaction numbers." Then I hit save and done. 

Then, I created a new invoice with my new desired invoice numbering system. I created 2021100, 2021 for the year and then 100 as a starting point. I have a "Test Client" set-up so that invoice was sent to my Test Client. 

Then I opened a new invoice and sure enough the invoice number was 2021102, voila, success! 

Thank you for posting your notes! I've been struggling with this same issue, and your steps helped me too! I finally found the editable Invoice no. field on the right side of the invoice (in edit mode), under the price. 

Much appreciated! 

Sad that the community has to create workarounds for what should be basic functionality that QB tech support should be able to figure out. SMH. 

Yes, this should be a simple setting in Account and Settings. Many companies like to begin the new year with a new invoice sequence.

Yes, this should be a simple setting in Account and Settings. Many companies like to begin the new year with a new invoice sequence.

Anyone know how this works in 2021? Of course quickbooks has flipped around their UI and made all these instructions obsolete. 

Thanks for checking in with us, macdonjo.

Turning on the Custom transaction numbers feature helps to change the number of previous invoices. Once done, we'll see an Invoice no. field where you can enter your own numbering preferences. We can also open the past invoices and modify the number.

The sequence you set here applies to all sales forms. If you'll want QuickBooks automatically assign numbers to your sales forms, just turn off this feature. On the other hand, the option to set a unique numbering of credit notes is unavailable. What we can do is to manually change the number sequence on the transactions. For additional reference, you can go through these articles: 

• Customize your transaction numbers
• How to change the invoice number on sales forms

Get back to us here if you have other questions. I'm always here to help.

I have an issue. I completed the integration between JobNimbus and Quickbooks but for some reason, the invoice number changed. We are afraid the new invoices are replacing the old ones. 

Thanks for becoming part of the Community, Jessica 820.

If you've already adjusted your Custom transaction numbers setting for invoices and are still seeing an invalid number, I'd recommend getting in touch with JobNimbus directly. Detailed steps for reaching them can be found on the Contact page of their website.

You'll also be able to find many detailed resources about using QuickBooks in our help article archives.

I'll be here to help if there's any questions. Have a great day!

This worked for me as well

Those directions don't work any longer!

Thanks for bringing this up, @ed17. I'd like to ensure we'll be able to get this fixed.

Before anything else, would you mind if I ask if happen to receive any error messages? This is for me to determine and provide the appropriate solution based on your situation.

In the meantime, let's have your customers log in using a private window. It ignores websites from using cookies and doesn't record any history and data. Here's how to access incognito mode:

• Google Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
• Mozilla Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P
• Microsoft Edge: Ctrl + Shift + P
• Safari: Command + Shift + N

You can clear your regular web browser's browsing history if it works. It will delete any previously saved browsing data that may have contributed to the problem.

On the other hand, you may read our Help articles to help you manage your account: Help articles for QBO.

let me know how it goes so I can further assist you. Have a good one.

There are no error messages. When I check and uncheck the " Custom transaction numbers Quickbooks still continues using the old sequential number even after I edit an invoice and give it a new larger number. In a [previous version, you could enter the next invoice number in the settings.

Thanks for laying out some details and confirming the steps you have taken to resolve this matter, @ed17.

Since the issue persists after following the steps on the Custom transaction numbers feature and performing troubleshooting guidelines, it is best to contact our Technical Support Team. In this manner, our phone support can securely access your account to provide fixes while maintaining your privacy. Also, they have tools to trigger a further investigation if need be.

Here’s how:

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.
2. Click the Help button.
3. In the QuickBooks Assistance chat box, select Talk to a human and choose I still need a human.
4. Select Contact Us.

Additionally, refer to this article for other options when contacting them. You can also scroll down to the bottom to see their support schedules and hours: QuickBooks Online Support.

Keep us posted if you have more concerns about taxes report. The Community is always here for you. Stay safe!

This worked for me, I tried to do it without all the steps without success, so I followed all the steps and it worked. I even sent the invoice to myself to make sure it sticks. Thanks!

I appreciate you getting back with good news, Juliet.

I'm happy to know that the solutions added above worked perfectly fine on your end and helped change the starting invoice number in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

Please feel free to post again or leave a comment below if you have other QuickBooks concerns in the future. We're open 24/7 to help!

Have a good one!

Your solution worked for me *until* I deleted the outstanding "Test Customer" invoice. It then reverted to the old numbering. Perhaps if I'd sent an invoice after the Test Customer's invoice (and before deleting the test one), it might have kept the new numbering. 
It's a decent amount of effort just to get the invoice numbering altered at all, and to then revert is just so very frustrating. I cleared the browser cache (relogged in to all the sites I access with this browser, including QBO), then followed your directions. When I opened up blank invoices they were showing the new numbering. But I didn't have one to send right away and I didn't want the test invoice messing up things...I should have waited.  
So fair warning to others: Leave the test invoice alone until you've had other invoices with the new numbering. 

Why QBO has not provided a more reasonable fix for this is beyond me. 

This works, great thanks didn't have to contact the help desk...