After using Desktop for 20 yrs. I switched to Online, ASSUMING it had at least the same features plus new ones. I have a machine shop. After Online got installed and migrated (1-2 hours on the phone) I was eager to ship the parts I had finished making while Online was migrating. I entered the SALES ORDER a month ago from my customer, there were 2 different part numbers, I just needed to ship one of them. After quite some time looking for my SALES ORDERS that shirly migrated. I called Customer Service thinking I was not looking in the right place for the SALES ORDERS and would the representative please help me find SALES ORDERS so I could invoice my customer. After another hour on the phone The representative in no uncertain terms told me that the Online version does not have SALES ORDERS!

I am stunned, what possible reason could there be for not including it? I was thinking it was just me until I started reading all of the posts. SALES ORDERS keeps everything in order! Some of my customers orders have 25 - 50 different part numbers, different quantities, different ship dates, etc, etc.

INTUIT PLEASE, PLEASE INCORPORATE SALES ORDERS ASAP!!

Anything less is a failure.

I am flabbergasted that QB Online does not use sales orders.  After YEARS of requests from users, not implementing a feature that is already available in QB Desktop is insane.

When is this going to be addressed?/?

I know the need for sales orders in your business. I'll guide you on how to vote for this feature and craft a workaround on what you can do about this. Catherine. 

Before a feature is implemented our engineers need a test plan and consider many factors before this will be implemented. You can cast your vote on the QuickBooks Online Feature Requests. Please know the more votes a feature gets, the greater the chances of the implementation. 

On the other hand, if you're unable to find the request online, you can submit feedback instead. To do so, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Go to the Gear icon, then Feedback.
2. Enter your comments or product suggestions. Then select Next to submit feedback.

In the meantime, you can follow the workaround given by my colleague @Rea_M which is to utilize the Estimate feature and convert it to an invoice or copy the data to the purchase order. 

Additionally, you can pull up customer or vendor reports so you can compare your income and expenses in QuickBooks. I've added this article for reference: Common Custom Reports in QuickBooks Online.

Let us know if you have any other questions about the sales order. The Community is always right here to assist with all your concerns. Have a great day ahead!