Is there any way to specify a default starting invoice number? I can specify an invoice number (for example #0000305) when I create the invoice, but when I go to create another, the invoice number is auto-generated as #0000003 instead of #0000306. I was quite surprised as a new user of AE-4 that this capability is not covered anywhere in the *incredibly sparse* documentation or help files. Is it possible? How can it NOT be?

Thanks for any help!

You can re-set the numbers in a session, but once you close your company file, the number will re-set to the next sequential number from the auto-number. There is no way to override this.

I have the same problem and I think that it is a HUGE oversight. Your online help utility does not work (it crashes) and it seems that all the help button does is direct me to a site where MYOB is trying to sell me support. MYOB gets very low marks here. I will be looking for a new package.

quote:

Originally posted by MYOB101:
You can re-set the numbers in a session, but once you close your company file, the number will re-set to the next sequential number from the auto-number. There is no way to override this.

There has to be a way, but it might be more trouble than it is worth. Autonumber must be keeping track somewhere of the default number. It should be possible to change that. A brute force method would be to create N dummy invoices to set the next automatic number to N+1. Then, once it is functioning, delete the dummy invoices. MYOB for Windows will use the last directly entered numeric number as the base for the default. (This can sometimes be a nuisance, but it is easy to learn how to drive it. If you save an invoice and then open and edit the number, it ignores that.) This is correct behavior. The Mac version may well be different.

Yes, this is a basic facility. Ideally, there should be a configuration setting for the base number, and it would be a plus if it were possible to set it to include configurable prefixes to indicate various types of documents. Many programs do this, it is obvious from invoices we receive from vendors.

Sergeaudio's complaints should be taken seriously.

quote:

Originally posted by MYOB101:
You can re-set the numbers in a session, but once you close your company file, the number will re-set to the next sequential number from the auto-number. There is no way to override this.

Is this true for AccountingEdge 2008?

Seems like a fundamental... if your management team wishes people to switch from other accounting programs, the least you can do is let us start off with consistent invoice numbers from our previous invoice system. Can't imagine this being a challenge to your programmers.

Posted Fri February 20 2004 08:54 AM Hide Post
You can re-set the numbers in a session, but once you close your company file, the number will re-set to the next sequential number from the auto-number. There is no way to override this.

Two questions. How do you re-set the numnbers in a session? And why has my invoicing somehow changed the autofill number to one far higher than it was previously? I created a temporary invoice with number 10000000 and now the new invoices are coming up 10000001, 10000002 etc. I need to change it back to the previous sequestial number 00010186, then 000010187 etc.
Please help!

quote:

Originally posted by g.kerr:

quote:

Originally posted by MYOB101:
You can re-set the numbers in a session, but once you close your company file, the number will re-set to the next sequential number from the auto-number. There is no way to override this.

Is this true for AccountingEdge 2008?

Seems like a fundamental... if your management team wishes people to switch from other accounting programs, the least you can do is let us start off with consistent invoice numbers from our previous invoice system. Can't imagine this being a challenge to your programmers.

The main reasons why the auto numbering sequence is the way it is, is for two reasons.

1. The database keeps track of transaction numbers using what is called a Filette. This allows the overhead transactions to be quick, as there is a reference file to get it from. Now if you change the invoice/transaction numbers for this to a higher number, how is the filette supposed to display the information in a coherent way other than use a date format? Which is a bad way of doing it, because relying on a format that can be changed fundamentally by the user's regional settings can cause all kinds of problems

and 2. It is the way it is. The program has been built to cover the most amount of users functionality with as little compromise as possible. Please feel free to use the 'Send Product Suggestion' menu within the Help Menu to send in requests like this. Its the way that Product Development run their cycle of new features and bug fixes. So please, if you want to see a change, follow the outlined procedure and we can go from there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marcis,

Dear Marcis,

Thank you for reminding my why I moved away from this product a few years ago. It looks like you guys still can't hit the side of a barn with a shotgun. Despite your recent edits to your post, I received your reply in an email which began with a snide and condescending remark regarding the customer's (who posted here) lack of 'advanced database design'. Perhaps you should find a new job; Using the term Filette to try to sound smart is pathetic. For anyone who cares, try searching for the terms database & filette at google.com. You'll see that there are ZERO references (it's such an advanced concept that it's a secret). As someone who does database design for a living, I can tell you that the arguments given by Marcis for the lack of this feature are purely bogus. It's telling that 4 and a half years later after my original post they still haven't hired a competent software developer, or even a database designer that understands how to properly model such a system.

I'd like to second Marcis's recommendation that people provide feedback using the 'send product suggestion' asking MYOB why they even bother anymore, and link this forum post in it. I'm now off to unsubscribe from this forum so that I won't be bothered with the idiocy that is MYOB any longer. Good luck people.

I do apologise for that, that was actually a private message to another user of the forums here, I have far to many of these threads open. That was why it was removed.

I do apologise profusely.