# How to create a purchase order in Snad

To create a purchase order in Snad ERP, open **Purchases**, then **Purchase order**, and press **Create purchase order**. Pick the **Supplier**, add the products with quantities and prices, then press **Save**. An order changes neither stock nor accounts, and you convert it to a purchase invoice when the goods arrive.

## Before you start

- A Snad account, with the Purchases app in your plan.
- At least one supplier ([how to add a supplier](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-supplier)) and products in your product list.
- Permission to create purchase orders for your user ([how to set permissions](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions)).

## Steps

1. **Open the purchase orders.** In the sidebar, choose **Purchases**, then **Purchase order**, and press **Create purchase order** above the list.

   ![The Snad purchase orders list with the Create purchase order button above it](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/nav-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Purchase order** in the sidebar · (2) The **Create purchase order** button

2. **Check the main information.** The **Main information** card starts as a **Purchase order**. Pick the receiving **Warehouse** and check the order **Date**, which changes only if your business [allows editing purchase dates](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/general-settings). [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-order#adv-from-quote)

   ![The main information card of the purchase order form](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/form-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Type** · (2) **Date** · (3) **Supplier**

3. **Pick the supplier.** Press the **Supplier** field, type part of the name and pick it from the list. For a supplier not on file, add it from the same list as on the [purchase invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-invoice).

   ![The supplier picker open on the purchase order](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/supplier-open-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Supplier** field · (2) The supplier in the list

4. **Add the products.** Press **Add product**, and in the **Add products** window search by name, tick every [product](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-product) you are ordering, then press **Apply**.

   ![The add products window on the purchase order with two products ticked](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/picker-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Search** · (2) A ticked product · (3) The **Apply** button

5. **Set quantity and price.** Each product comes in at its current cost in **Price**. Enter the **Quantity** you need, change **Price** to what you agreed with the supplier, and compare it with the **Last buy price** column, which shows its figure once a warehouse is chosen.

   ![The products card of the purchase order with quantity, price and last buy price](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/lines-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Quantity** · (2) **Price** · (3) **Last buy price**

6. **Check the totals.** In **Summary** add an **Extra charge** or a **Discount percentage** if you agreed on them, and check the order total. The [tax](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/tax-settings) shown in **Total VAT** is calculated from your default tax group.

   ![The summary card of the purchase order with charge, discount and totals](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/summary-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Extra charge** · (2) **Discount percentage** · (3) The order totals

7. **Save the order.** Press **Save** at the top of the page. The order gets its number, and no stock quantities or accounts change. Fill **Reference** and **Notes** first if you need them. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-order#adv-send)

   ![The purchase order form header with the Save button](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/save-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Save** button

8. **Share the order or convert it to an invoice.** After saving, the order opens on its own page. **Share** gives the supplier a link to view and confirm the order. When the goods arrive, press **Convert to purchase invoice** to open an [invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-invoice) with the same products. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-order#adv-share)

   ![The header of a saved purchase order with the Share and Convert to purchase invoice buttons](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/create-purchase-order/saved-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Share** button · (2) The **Convert to purchase invoice** button

## Messages that block saving

| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pick a product first | The order has no products, or has an empty line. | Press **Add product** and pick a product, or delete the empty line. |
| Enter a price | A line has a price of zero or none. | Type the price in the **Price** box of the line marked in red. |
| Enter a quantity | A line has a quantity of zero or none. | Type the amount you need in the **Quantity** box, then save. |

## Advanced details

### An order from a purchase quotation

The **Type** list offers **Purchase order** and **Quotation**. Choose **Quotation** and a **Purchase quotation list** field appears; pick the quotation there to copy its supplier and products instead of typing them.

Create the quotation first as shown in [how to create a purchase quotation](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-quote).

### Sending the order to the supplier on WhatsApp

Snad can send the order to the supplier over WhatsApp as soon as you save it. Turn on **Send purchase orders** under **Auto-send to suppliers** in the settings, and enter the supplier's **WhatsApp number** on its [supplier page](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-supplier).

Sending happens after the save without slowing the page, and Snad never sends the same order to the supplier twice.

### The share link and the supplier's reply

The **Share document** window holds a link that anyone who has it can open, with no login, to view the purchase order and confirm it. You can also **Send via WhatsApp** or **Generate new link**, and the old link stops working at once.

The supplier can confirm the order, adjust quantities and prices, or decline with a note, and Snad treats any change from them as a partial confirmation for one of your team to review before it becomes an invoice.

### Converting to a purchase invoice

**Convert to purchase invoice** shows to users allowed to create purchase invoices, while the order has not been used in an invoice. It opens the invoice form with the order's supplier, products and totals, and you finish as in [how to create a purchase invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-invoice).

Once the invoice is saved the order is marked used, and only then do the quantities enter stock.

### Automatic purchase orders

Snad can suggest a purchase order by itself for products running low at a supplier with automatic ordering on. You set that up in [how to reorder low-stock products](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/reorder-products) and in the **Auto purchasing** card of the supplier page.

## Common questions

### Does a purchase order add to stock?

No. An order is only a request to the supplier. The quantities enter stock when you save the [purchase invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-invoice) converted from it. To document the arrival of goods, create a [goods receipt note](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-goods-receipt).

### What is the difference between a purchase order and a purchase invoice?

The order is your request for goods before they arrive; the [invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-invoice) records what you actually received and its effect on stock, cost and accounts.

### How do I send the order to the supplier?

Open the saved order and press **Share**, then **Send via WhatsApp** or copy the link. For automatic sending turn on **Send purchase orders** in the settings.

### Can I convert an order to an invoice more than once?

No. Once the invoice is saved the order is marked used and the **Convert to purchase invoice** button disappears from it.

## Read next

- [Create a purchase invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-invoice) — Create a purchase invoice in Snad: pick the supplier and warehouse, add products at cost, choose the payment and save. Seven steps with screenshots.
- [Create a purchase quotation](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-quote) — Create a purchase quotation in Snad: pick the warehouse and supplier, add products at the supplier's prices and save. Seven short steps with screenshots.
- [Add a supplier](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-supplier) — Add a supplier in Snad: enter the name, trade and bank details, set the payment terms and save. Seven short steps with screenshots, plus auto purchasing.
- [Create a goods receipt note](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-goods-receipt) — Create a goods receipt note in Snad from a purchase invoice: pick the invoice, check the lines and quantities, and save. Six short steps with screenshots.
- [Reorder low-stock products](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/reorder-products) — Set up auto purchasing in Snad: link items to their suppliers and levels, try the preview, then switch ordering on. Seven short steps with screenshots.
- [Snad purchasing software](https://www.snad.io/en/purchases) — Suppliers, purchase orders and invoices in one place.
- [Snad inventory software](https://www.snad.io/en/inventory) — Order what your warehouses are missing before it runs out.

[Open this screen in Snad](https://app.snad.io/dashboard/purchase/order/create)

- **URL:** https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-purchase-order
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-11-04

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