Creating a Purchase Order
A purchase order (PO) is a document you send to a vendor to formally request goods or services. It establishes what you're ordering, at what price, and when you expect delivery — before the goods arrive or the bill is issued.
How to Create a Purchase Order
- Go to Purchases → Purchase Orders
- Click New Purchase Order
- Fill in the details
- Click Save
Purchase Order Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Vendor | The supplier you're ordering from |
| PO Number | Auto-incremented reference number |
| Reference | Internal reference or project code |
| Order Date | Date the PO is raised |
| Delivery Date | Expected delivery date |
| Line Items | What you're ordering — description, qty, unit, rate, tax, account |
| Ship To | Delivery address if different from company address |
| Ship Via | Shipping method (courier, freight, etc.) |
| Notes / Terms | Any special instructions or terms for the vendor |
Purchase Order Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | Not yet sent to vendor |
| Sent | Submitted to vendor |
| Converted | Converted to a bill after goods received |
| Expired | Delivery date passed without conversion |
Does a PO Affect My Accounts?
No. Purchase orders are non-posting documents. No accounting entries are created until you receive the goods and convert the PO to a bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use purchase orders?
No. You can create bills directly without a PO. POs are useful when you want a formal approval process or need a document trail before goods arrive.
Can I download a purchase order as a PDF?
Yes. Open the PO and click Download. The PDF includes your company logo and all order details.
What if the vendor sends a different quantity than ordered?
When converting to a bill, you can adjust the quantities to match what was actually received.
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