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rpribanich
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

i have been trying repeatedly to make my custom invoice the default template when I print invoices, but the system defaults back to the Intuit invoice, even though I made that invoice inactive.  I really need specific information on my invoice and QuickBooks is not letting me do this.  

Solved
Best answer December 10, 2018

Best Answers
Rustler
Level 15

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

QB operates in a sticky mode.  You select the template and save the invoice, the next time you open an invoice QB remembers the template last used and loads that template for the new invoice

There is no default setting you can make for a template

View solution in original post

37 Comments 37
Rustler
Level 15

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

QB operates in a sticky mode.  You select the template and save the invoice, the next time you open an invoice QB remembers the template last used and loads that template for the new invoice

There is no default setting you can make for a template

RRPIKW
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

This "used" to work for me.  Recently, I had to edit a template that isn't used very often.  Now, I have to switch back to my "normal" invoice for every new invoice.  I'll click Save and New, and the odd ball one comes back up, haunting me.

I vaguely remember this happening a long time ago.  I believe I had to copy the odd one, edit it to make it the normal one and rename it.  And delete my old "normal" one.
Also happened around the same time our Company address would get mysteriously changed.   And recently having that problem again too.  Hmmm.

Any thing change that would cause the sticky mode to not work?
QB desktop pro plus 2018
Rustler
Level 15

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

not that I am aware of, but when QB gets wonky, In Desktop, back up the file then use the main menu File>Utilities>Rebuild and  run it as many times as necessary (but at least 3 times) until it completes, then run verify (if there are still errors run rebuild again), then close QB and re-open it and see if it helped
root4
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

In Quickbooks Online, you can go to Lists > Custom form styles. Beside each form is a drop down box. Select "Make Default".
chipoffblock
Level 3

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

To add to Rustlers answer, are you looking at an invoice you already had made? QB's will always show the template that particular invoice was last saved with, even if you later make that template inactive. But if you open a new invoice, only your active templates should show up in the dropdown list, so if you make all others inactive, only the active one should show up.

qbteachmt
Level 15

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

"Also happened around the same time our Company address would get mysteriously changed.   And recently having that problem again too."

The interim updates often result in the loss of address fields. I finally Hardcoded the company address on the templates, instead of pulling from the Company Info fields; now you Never lose that info, again.


jd41us
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

This happens to me too - I use a couple different invoices but one is more frequently and I have to change it every single time as it does not open in the last type of invoice used.
aim2win23
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

I was having the same problem and when I looked online, I found Custom Form Style under Your Company, not under Lists. But thanks, I couldn't figure out what to do until I saw your post.   

PreciousB
Moderator

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hi there aim2win23,

 

I'm happy to see you here in the Community.

 

I can add some insights about the sales form templates in QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.

 

In QuickBooks Desktop, you can find the templates after clicking the Lists menu at the top menu bar (refer to the first screenshot). This article will give you more details about the templates: Use and customize form templates.

 

image.png

 

While the form styles in QuickBooks Online can be found by clicking the Gear icon and selecting Custom Form Styles under the Your Company column (see the second screenshot). For more details, check out this article: How to customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts.

 

image.png

 

That should do it. If you have other questions, I'm happy to answer it for you. Just post it here as a comment and I'll take a look at it. Have a good one.

JonLee
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Precious B,

Did you read the question and does the link you provided give the answer?

PreciousB
Moderator

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hello JonLee,

 

Are you also trying to make a form style as the default template in QuickBooks Desktop?

 

If so, as mentioned by our Established Community Backers above, we are unable to make a default template in QuickBooks Desktop. It works in a sticky mode wherein the last template used will be applied to the next invoice. The template will only change once you select a new one.

 

Check out the links I've shared above for more details about invoice templates.

 

I'd be delighted to answer other questions should you have any. Cheering you to continued prosperity.

velourstattoo
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hi,

 

We have a custom invoice made by our graphic designer that we would like to use through QB. Is that an option? Would it work best with the desktop version? I attached an example of our invoice.

Mark_R
QuickBooks Team

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hello there, @velourstattoo.

 

You'll be happy to know that you can customize your invoice and make it look similar with the custom invoice made by your graphic designer.

 

You can utilize the Layout Designer option to make your own template. But before doing so, you'll need to check the available details that can be included in the template.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Lists menu.
  2. Choose Templates.
  3. On the page, click the drop-down button beside Templates.
  4. Select New, then choose the Template Type.
  5. Hit OK.
  6. Then to check the available details, click Additional Customization.
  7. Click Layout Designer.
  8. On the Layout Designer - Customer Estimate page, you can create your own template manually.
  9. Once done, hit OK to save the template.

I've got you an article for your reference: Use and Customize Form Templates.

 

Fill me in if you have any other questions about customizing form templates. I'll be always around to help.

barbatrapid
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

When I go to different form styles nothing shows.

Rose-A
Moderator

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hey there, barbatrapid.

You've got me here to help share some steps in showing different form styles in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you're using QuickBooks Desktop, verifying and rebuilding your data is a good start when it comes to fixing forms-related issues.

 

To Verify Data:

 

  1. Choose Window at the top, then Close All.
  2. Choose File.
  3. Click on Utilities.
  4. Choose Verify Data.

To Rebuild Data:

  1. Choose File.
  2. Click on Utilities.
  3. Click Rebuild Data.
  4. You will receive a warning message to backup your company file, press OK.
  5. Click OK when you get the message "Rebuild has completed".

You can get more details in this article: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/community/Help-Articles/Resolve-data-damage-on-your-company-file/m-p/2....

 

If you're using QuickBooks Online, you may want to enable the pop-up window option to show the different form styles. The following article provides detailed steps and information: Enable pop-ups for QuickBooks Online resource hub.

 

Please get back to me if you continue to get the same results so I can look further into this. I want to make sure you'll be able to see all the forms in QuickBooks.

Mrsrzig
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

I created a customized template, saved it and choose it from the dropdown list of options.  Although the dropdown title is correct, the template looks like the standard template I used to use.  I tried deleting all the other invoice templates I no longer wish to use, leaving the customized template as the only option (which looks fine when I look at it under managed templates), but it still reverts to the old-style template, only under the new title.

I also ran the verify and rebuild data functions; all is well there.   Any other suggestions?  Thanks so much!

Anonymous
Not applicable

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hi Mrsrzig,


You have already performed the troubleshooting steps to fix damage components  (making the template to reverts to its old-style template) in QuickBooks.

 

Since none of them worked, let's get this escalated to our QuickBooks Phone Support Team. They have the tools to get this invoice template fixed.

 

Here's how you can reach us directly:

  1. Click on the Help menu.
  2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help
  3. Click on QuickBooks support.
  4. Select Features: Reports. Invoices, etc
  5. Click on Start a Message.

In case you need more help with managing customer transactions, please click here and select QuickBooks Desktop from the drop-down option.

 

You are always welcome to post more questions about QuickBooks. 

Impax
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

I beg to differ... I keep setting the invoice template to the custom one I made up (copy of: Intuit Quickbooks Product Invoice) but when I go to do my next invoice it is back to the original (Intuit Quickbooks Product Invoice). I keep hearing how it is supposed to "stick" to the template used last time. It does not. At least it does not on this fresh install of QB Pro 2020 on this fresh HP 8570p laptop. Yes it did "stick" on the previous QB desktop version I was using but not with this 2020 Pro. The "sticky" is not very sticky... Please explain what I need to do! Thanks in advance, Dave

MJoy_D
Moderator

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hello, @Impax.

 

When you use a template on an invoice and you create another invoice, that template should stay unless you change the template.

 

In case, the new template doesn't show when you create another invoice, you may have a damaged template.

 

You can try to recreate the template to resolve the error you’re having. 

Check this article for more information: Fix common issues when you use and customize templates

 

Let me know if there's anything that I can help you with. I'm always here to assist. Have a wonderful day!

Impax
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hello MaryJoyD,

 

I went to the link you provided but can find nothing about the "sticky" issue.

 

Kind regards,

Dave

MadelynC
Moderator

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Thanks or getting back to this thread, @Impax.

 

Allow me to share information about customizing a template, so you'll be able to use it without going back to the original form.


You’ll have to set the template as default in order to apply this to the following invoices. Let me show the steps:

 

  1. From the Customers menu, choose Create Invoices.
  2. Click Formatting.
  3. Select Manage Templates.
  4. Choose and select the template you created.
  5. Click OK then OK.

For additional details about customization, you can check this article: Use and customize form templates.


I’ve also attached a link that contains basic information about running a report and its features: Customize reports in QuickBooks Desktop.


This should get you in the right way, Dave. Take care. 

Impax
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hello MaryJoyD,

 

I went to the link you provided but can find nothing about the "sticky" issue.

 

Kind regards,

Dave

Impax
Level 2

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

Hello MadelynC,

 

The default button changes my custom invoice I created back to a default design :(

RooGrayson
Level 1

How can I make my custom invoice template the default template? I made all of the other invoices inactive, presumably leaving only mine. it does not work. I need mine.

thank you! This helped!

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