Units of measure

A unit of measure is what a quantity is counted in: pieces, kilograms, boxes. Each item keeps its stock in one base unit, and a conversion on the item says how many base units one of another unit holds. Set up your units before your items, because every item needs one.

Add a unit of measure

1. Go to Inventory ‣ Master data ‣ Units of measure and click New unit of measure.
2. Fill in Code and Name, for example PCS and Pieces.
3. Set Decimal places, so quantities in this unit are shown and entered to the right precision.
4. Click Save.

Field	What it sets
Decimal places	Number of decimal places used when displaying quantities (0–6). A quantity with more decimals than the unit allows is refused.
Subsidiary	Restrict this unit to a single subsidiary. Leave blank for every subsidiary.
Active	Inactive units are hidden from new items and transactions.

Convert an item’s units

When you buy or sell an item in a unit other than its base unit, add a conversion on the item so every quantity can be turned into base units.

1. Go to Inventory ‣ Master data ‣ Items and open the item.
2. Open the Conversions tab and click New conversion.
3. Pick the UOM.
4. Enter Quantity and Base quantity: how many of this unit make how many of the base unit.
5. Click Save.

Example

A stationery wholesaler stocks pens in pieces and sells them in boxes of 12. On the pen, a conversion with UOM Box, Quantity 1 and Base quantity 12 lets a sales order for 3 boxes take 36 pieces from stock.

Messages you may meet

Message	What to do
No conversion states how many base units one of this unit is; add one under the item’s units.	Add a conversion for that unit on the item’s Conversions tab.
An item’s base unit needs no conversion.	Pick a unit other than the base unit.
The item already has a conversion for this unit; edit that one instead.	Open the existing conversion and change it.
The quantity has more decimals than the unit allows.	Round the quantity, or raise the unit’s Decimal places.
Live items still use this unit; move them to another unit first.	Change those items’ units before archiving this one.