Auto Generating Product IDs

You have 5 basic options for auto generating your product IDs. How you set the fields on the Inventory Options screen will determine if and how you auto-generate your product IDs.

Product ID's and the category prefixes may be alpha-numeric. However, if you will be auto-generating the ID's, you must use numbers in the next ID field.

Using a Category Prefix

You may choose to use a prefix as part of your product ID. You can set the number of characters for this prefix, however, it must be the same length for all items. Using the category prefix allows you to access a special product lookup from the invoice screen, only showing items from the entered prefix.

If using a prefix, it is recommended that it be at least 2 characters, and no more than 4. This makes it easiest to enter from the sales screen.

Option 1 - Manually Assign ID's without a Category Prefix

This means that you will simply give each product a unique ID from 1 to 16 characters long. Enter the following at the inventory options screen:

Auto Generate Nos.	N
Next ID Number	leave blank
Prefix Length	0

Option 2 - Manually Assign ID's with a Category Prefix

This means that when adding new products, you will be prompted for a prefix with the number of characters you specify. Once entered, you would then supply the remaining product ID. Enter the following at the inventory options screen:

Auto Generate Nos.	N
Next ID Number	leave blank
Prefix Length

Option 2 - Auto-Generate ID's without a Category Prefix

This means that when adding new products, the ID will automatically fill in with the next ID number, starting with the one you entered above. Enter the following at the inventory options screen:

Auto Generate Nos.	Y
Next ID Number	enter starting number
Prefix Length	0

Option 4 - Auto-Generate with a Category Prefix (Non-Sequential)

Auto Generate Nos.	Y
Next ID Number	enter starting number
Prefix Length	enter the number of characters that you want your prefix to be

Option 5 -Auto-Generate with a Category Prefix (Sequential)

This means that when adding new products, you will be prompted for a prefix with the number of characters you enter above. Once entered, the remainder of the ID would automatically fill in with the next ID number for that prefix. Any time a new prefix is entered at the inventory screen, the ID number would start with the one you entered above. Thus, each item within a given prefix would be numbered sequentially. Enter the following at the inventory options screen:

Auto Generate Nos.	G
Next ID Number	enter starting number for each prefix
Prefix Length	enter the number of characters that you want your prefix to be