Progress invoicing is still not working no matter how many times I do the process listed

Hello there, @duncanclou. I'm here to help you ensure you'll able to create a progress invoice without smoothly.

To verify, may I know if you receive any error when creating a progress invoice? That information is a great help so I can provide a timely solution. 

In the meantime, we can perform some troubleshooting steps to determine if this is related to your web-browser. Before we start, let's first ensure that the Progress invoicing feature is turned on in the Accounts and settings menu.

If verified, and you still unable to create one, you can use a private browser to log in to your QuickBooks Online (QBO) account. This does not store cache which has the potential to become corrupted and cause unexpected behavior. Below are the shortcut keys you can use:

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

Once signed in, you can create a progress invoice again. If this works, I recommend clearing the cache of your regular browser to eliminate piled up data. If the same thing happens, you can use other supported browser or device. It might be that the current one you're using has temporary issue with the program. 

I'll be here ready to lend a hand if you have other questions or issue regarding creating a progress invoice in QBO. Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

I have tried private browsing in both Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.  I have also tried clearing the cache in both browsers.  I do not receive any errors.  When I turn on progress invoicing and then create an invoice it does ask me if I want to bill in full, bill a percentage or manual entry.  When I select any of the options the invoice does not show any type of percentage complete once it is opened.  It looks like a regular invoice even though I have selected the template for progress invoicing. 

I can see how hard you tried here, @duncanclou. Your effort in performing the recommended steps above is truly appreciated and I want to thank you for updating us on the result. Allow me to assist you further by sharing some information and making sure you'll be able to use progress invoicing in QuickBooks Online.

To begin with, I want to make sure that we've activated the Progress Invoicing feature on the Account and settings and that it has been saved correctly. I'd suggest clicking Save first before hitting Done so the program will acknowledge the changes made. 

When creating a template for progress invoicing, be sure to use the Airy New template as this is the only template that works for progress invoices. 

Additionally, be sure to select your created template every time you create an invoice. You just have to click on the Customize button on your Invoice page. 

If the same thing happens, I'd suggest checking your Accounts and Settings again and verifying if Progress Invoicing is still enabled. This will help us determine if the issue aligns with the recent reports we've received regarding Progress Invoicing being disabled when attempting to convert an estimate into an invoice. Let me know in the comments below, I'll keep an eye out for your reply.
 

Moreover, I've included an article that'll help you record invoice payments, whether it's a partial or full payment: Record invoice payments in QuickBooks Online. 

I'd be happy to assist you more should you encounter any difficulties or have additional questions about progress invoicing in QuickBooks Online. Just hit the Reply button and I'll get back to you. Keep safe and have a good one. 

@duncanclou , We are having the same issue.  We created all new templates as suggested. We turn progress invoicing on and click done at the bottom of the page, however, once we create an invoice or estimate, it turns itself back off.  Have you had any luck in fixing the problem?  @QueenC, do you have any other suggestions. Us two people can't be the only ones having this problem after our invoicing was changed over to the new "Airy". We will most likely be calling in the morning since business still needs to take place.

Same Problem Here!

I do remember having this issue before something to do with "modern and old style invoices"

Maybe a glitch with the new update?

Let me know if someone figures it out.

Kind of a pain with out progress invoicing.

Yes, I think that fixed it for me! Thanks

Good evening, @JW Custom. 

Thanks for coming back and letting us know how those instructions went. 

I'm glad my colleague was able to give you the details you need to resolve your issue. 

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Have a wonderful day! 

Switching to the old layout does allow me to submit progress invoicing now.  Thank you for the workaround. 

We still have not been able to create a Progress Invoice since the new layout was implemented and the old layout style has been removed.  Same issue as stated above.  I have Estimates with Progress Invoices associated that were created in the old stye prior to the switch by QB.  I insure that Progress Invoicing is active in the Sales tab of the Settings menu.  I then open the Estimates tab, select an estimate, and convert to invoice.  The dialog appears asking if I would like to create with remaining total, percentage of each line item, or fixed amount.  I select remaining total.  The invoice appears with the correct amounts listed for each line item for 1-2 seconds, at which point the screen flashes white and then back to an estimate with the full amount of each line item instead of the remaining total.  If I try to change the percentage of the line items, the invoice will not save and an error appears that states I need to create a new estimate.  I close out of the invoice without saving (since I cannot save it) and go back to the settings menu.  In the settings menu, Progress Invoicing has been turned OFF.  I turn it back ON, but if I try to create an invoice again, it will switch itself off again.

I have attempted the above procedures in Chrome and Safari both in Private browsing and standard.  I have spoken on the phone with QB customer support on 10/19 and was told this is a known issue, but no one has responded to let me know what is going on.  I have been able to create an invoice from these estimates on the mobile app via my cell phone, but any attempt to open the invoice within the online version on my laptop refuses to modify or save.

I am tired of all of the bloated features that are continuously added to this software yet the primary function of sending invoices and receiving payment to keep my business running are not functioning.  If anyone out there has found a solution to this, please let me know.  Otherwise, I will start looking for a different software to run my business.

ScottWolfram 

I am also having the same issue. Contacted QB two times already and no resolution was offered. If this doesn't get fixed ASAP I will also start looking for a new software to run my business. 

@duncanclou  Are you still able to switch to an old layout for progress invoicing?  If so, how?  Still looking for a work around since the New Estimating and Invoicing was made the only option on the 16th.  Hopefully we will find a resolution soon.

Scott - 

I was able to convert to the old layout before but I just switched to the new layout to see if I could convert back again and that option is gone now.  I did find this post about contacting the developer team so they can add that option back for you.  Here is a link to that article:

How to go back to old layout (intuit.com)

This article shows you where the button should be for switching back to the old layout and how to submit a request for them to fix it. I just submitted feedback so I can have access to the old layout button.  It worked for me before but is not there now so they should be able to make it work. 

Finding this thread has made me really happy that someone else understands this pain. I spent 3 hours on the phone with Quickbooks help and they did nothing to help me at all, I was teaching them and showing them on screen record and we got nowhere. This is really disappointing that you can't do progress invoices in the new layout, wouldn't this impact an extremely large number of users? Very frustrating. Will try the work around and see if it works... 

I am also having the same problem tried all the above work arounds to no avail.

This is ridiculous I pay good money to SAVE time, not screw around for hours trying to  figure out YOUR error.

How about releasing an update to go back to the old version till you get the problem resolved???

I want to echo that this post is EXACTLY the problem. Progress invoicing turns itself off, if you move fast enough it still says "on" but you can't do it fast enough to save the new invoice created. PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE QUICKBOOKS its unacceptable, how many small businesses need this function? I don't understand how something like this is missed by your development team. 

There is no old layout button anymore!

DON'T BELIEVE THIS WAS SOLVED!!!!!

Just spent 2 hours on the phone with the help expert on screen share. After all that her answer was "that's the way it is now until we get it fixed. 90% of my invoicing is progress invoicing so this program is basically useless right now!

I am having this issue also.  I now cannot issue progress invoice in old or new layout and it seems that it wouldn’t matter anyway since I will be forced to the new layout in 8 days anyway.  I am experiencing the progress invoice function in settings turning itself off over and over again as well.  I want to add my name to the list of those that need this fixed urgently.

Hello there, @Melanie3321.

I understand the importance of using progress invoicing in both the new and old layouts in the program without any issues. Currently, progress invoicing is not yet available in the new layout of invoices. 

As we value your suggestions, I recommend sending your feedback to our Product Development Team. Their goal is continuous improvement based on user input, which will help ensure that future updates better meet the needs of all users.

Here's how to send feedback: 

1. Click the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
2. Select Feedback under Profile.
3. Share your feedback.
4.  Click Next to submit.

You can also track feature requests through the QuickBooks Online Feature Requests website.

For detailed information about the new updates in estimates and invoices in QBO, you can click on this link: See what's new with estimates and invoices in QBO.

Additionally, read this article to learn how to personalize your sales forms to improve business communications with your customers: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online.

I'll keep an eye out for any other concerns you may have about creating invoices or anything else related to QuickBooks. I'm always here to help. Take care.

Progress invoicing did not work back at the end of 2023 when the "updates" were pushed through. I spent hours on the phone with QB trying to resolve this. Finally, a work-around was introduced. 

Now, in April 2024, progress invoicing is NOT WORKING AGAIN!

Hello there, bayoupreservationllc. I can see you have challenges when creating a progress invoice. I'm here to help you resolve this issue within QuickBooks Online. 

Before doing so, may I ask what happened when you attempted to set up the progress invoices? Are there any error messages? this will help us to give you an accurate solution.

We can perform some troubleshooting steps to determine if this is related to your web browser. Since you're unable to use the progress invoice on your end, we can open your account in incognito mode to see if this has something to do with your browser.

Here's how to access incognito mode in some of the most commonly used web browsers:

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

Once logged in, try to create a progress invoice again. If things are working, then it's likely the browser that's causing the issue. It can be fixed by clearing your cache and cookies. You can also switch to a different supported browser.

In case you need steps on how to run different reports in QBO that give you an overview of your customer data, you can read this article: Run reports in QuickBooks Online.

Don't hesitate to post here in the Community if you have additional concerns regarding progress invoices in QBO. I'm always here to help.

I switched back to the old invoices last year because of this exact problem. The "new" invoice layout just didn't work for me (and clearly many others) by not allowing progress invoicing. This is a very basic and important functionality that must be usable. I have recently received the email below from Intuit. Please for the love of god tell me y'all at Intuit have fixed this massive flaw in the "new" invoice layout you are forcing on us all. 

Why is this marked "Solved"?  It sounds like a lot of users are still unable to Progress Invoice after the latest update.  

I have not been able to progress invoice since the May 6th update and it is impacting my productivity and my ability to communicate payment info to my clients.   I've spent far too much time trying to get this to work over the past year (all the steps listed above) and for what; an Airy New Template?   

Seems like QB Online wasn't broken and I'm not sure what was fixed.  I do know the cost of my subscription went up in that time and I've not complained.   Please get this fixed ASAP.