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December 11, 2018
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IS there a LINK attached to an invoice for what estimate was used? How can I tell what estimate goes with what invoice?

  • December 11, 2018
  • 3 replies
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Online version LINKED payments and estimates to invoices.  Desktop version can't do this?

Best answer by Rustler

No it really is not an issue, an estimate is non posting and does nothing to the accounts

when you create an invoice from an estimate, the estimate closes, and the invoice when saved is a final sale.
so the transaction is complete

QB has a tag that could be used, but the implementation is screwy

a job, sub customer, the job title will be moved to a field called project on the invoice
BUT the project field is only visible on a print or print preview

open invoice, click the formatting tab, click customize data layout, on the header tab find the field and check mark it for print, you can try checking it for on screen - maybe something changed

3 replies

Rustler
RustlerAnswer
December 11, 2018

No it really is not an issue, an estimate is non posting and does nothing to the accounts

when you create an invoice from an estimate, the estimate closes, and the invoice when saved is a final sale.
so the transaction is complete

QB has a tag that could be used, but the implementation is screwy

a job, sub customer, the job title will be moved to a field called project on the invoice
BUT the project field is only visible on a print or print preview

open invoice, click the formatting tab, click customize data layout, on the header tab find the field and check mark it for print, you can try checking it for on screen - maybe something changed

qbteachmt
December 11, 2018

They are linked if you selected that estimate when you invoiced.

Open the estimate and use the History icon. If this is linked to an invoice, you can see it and Go To from here. Open the Invoice and do the same thing = History icon, and Go To what is linked, from here.

If you use Progress invoicing, there also is a little Progress Chart at the top of the Invoice, which shows the details from the Estimate and proves they are linked.

February 7, 2019

That is how we're creating invoices and yet if I do the history search no history is available. Do you know what causes that?

 

PreciousB
February 8, 2019

Welcome to the Community, ttaccounting.


Thanks for trying to follow the awesome suggestions of our Established Community Backers. Let me join the thread to add some insights on how to know which estimate is linked to the invoice.

 

While I'm not sure why you're unable to see the transaction history, let me share the detailed steps on how to check the history of the estimate as mentioned by @qbteachmt.

 

There are two options to view this. You can either use the Transaction History or click the Show History icon.

 

Let me show you how:

 

To use the Transaction History:

  1. Open the estimate, then click the Reports tab at the top.
  2. Select the Transaction History icon (see the first screenshot).

This icon will show you the invoice details that is linked to the estimate.

 

 

To use the Show History icon:

  1. Open the estimate.
  2. Click the little arrow on the right part, the select the Transaction tab.
  3. The invoice will show under Related Transaction section (refer to the second screenshot).

Just click the Invoice link to view the transaction.

 

 

That's it. I'd appreciate if you can update me on how it goes. I'll be here if there's anything else you need. Have a good one.

March 26, 2019

Hi.  The example of looking at the estimate and seeing the related invoice in the transaction tab works great but if I try that same thing from the invoice side of that same linked transaction the estimate that it came from isn't there. 

AlcaeusF
March 26, 2019

Hello REICT,

 

Thank you for dropping by here in the Community. I'm here to help provide additional insights about how the Recent Transaction works.

 

The transactions that'll reflect on the Recent Transactions section of an invoice are the activities you the next like creating a payment. If you want to make sure the linked estimate exist, you can click the icon for QuickReport.

 

I'm adding some screenshots for your visual reference:

 

 

Please get in touch with me here should you have any additional questions or concerns about the recent transactions in QuickBooks Desktop. I'm always up to lend a hand.