Serial numbers and the serial register
For limited runs and made-to-order pieces, each unit can carry its own number. A number is issued once and never used again, so no two pieces share one. The serial register lists every number you have issued.
If you do not see Catalog → Serial register, the serial numbers feature is not switched on for your workspace.
Choose the format
Section titled “Choose the format”- Open Settings → SKU and serial numbers.
- Click Add rule and choose the Serial number mode.
- Type the Number template. Three placeholders work:
{sku}is the variant’s SKU,{n}is the counter, and{year}is the year the unit was issued. The template must contain{n}, or every unit would get the same number. The default is{sku}-{n}. - Set the Number width, 1 to 12 digits. A number longer than the width is never cut short.
- Click Create rule.
A serial rule never makes a SKU. A product points at the one it wants.
Turn numbering on for a product
Section titled “Turn numbering on for a product”- Open the product and go to Identifiers.
- In the Serial numbers column, switch numbering on for the variant.
- Choose the Numbering rule, or leave Default template.
Each variant is numbered on its own. A Numbered chip appears on the product.
When numbers are issued
Section titled “When numbers are issued”Numbers are issued when a production run of a numbered variant is completed. Switch numbering on first, then close the run. Each unit gets the next number, and the numbers reference the batch that produced them. A serial the register shows as In stock has not shipped yet; Shipped, Written off and Returned follow the unit’s life.
The counts in the register are numbers issued, not units on hand. A unit you scrap or archive keeps its number and still counts there. Ask the inventory screens how many exist.
Look a number up
Section titled “Look a number up”- Open Catalog → Serial register.
- Paste the number exactly as printed into Look a unit up by the number printed on it.
The match is exact and case-sensitive. A hit shows the product, and Open this product’s register lists its whole run, lowest number first. Archived units match too. If a number is not found, check it character by character before concluding the unit is not yours.
Filter the register by product or state, and tick Include archived units to see archived ones. From a batch you can open Numbered units from this batch: a recall works from the batch down, a certificate works from the serial up.