> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/revenue/invoices/create-an-invoice.md).

# Create an invoice

Invoices work similarly to quotes, but the Invoices page and invoice actions require the invoicing feature and invoice permissions. If the Invoices page or New Invoice button is missing but you need it, contact your business's administrator to review your role.

Online customer payments, saved-card charges, autopay, and automatic sales tax require a verified Stripe connection. If your business syncs accounting activity, set up the accounting integration and mappings under Settings > Invoicing before relying on invoice and payment sync.

## Before you start

* The customer and property must already exist.
* The invoice needs at least one line item and payment terms before you can save it.
* If the work came from a signed quote, create the invoice from that quote to carry over line items, discounts, and attachments.

## Create the invoice

1. Open the Invoices page.
2. Click New Invoice in the top right.
3. Choose the customer and property.
4. Add invoice line items, discounts, attachments, and payment terms. The Description field supports rich text — bold, italics, underline, headings, lists, divider lines, and tables (see [Format descriptions and terms with rich text](/revenue/quotes/format-descriptions-and-terms-with-rich-text.md)).
5. Use the preview on the right to check what the customer will see. The **Context** tab beside it shows the billing details, an asset-group summary, property contacts, and customer facts while you work (see [See property, customer, and deficiency context while quoting or invoicing](/revenue/quotes/see-context-while-quoting-or-invoicing.md)).
6. Save the invoice.

Saving assigns the invoice number automatically and creates the invoice in Draft. You can keep editing while it is in Draft, then send it or finalize it when it is ready.

You can also start an invoice from the New shortcut at the top of any page. When you start from a customer, property, contact, or job page, Essential carries that context into the invoice when it applies, so the customer, property, recipient, or related job may already be filled in.

> **Where to find it:** Invoices page, New Invoice button (top right)

## Related guides

* [Create an invoice from a job](/revenue/invoices/create-an-invoice-from-a-job.md)
* [Add a line item to an invoice](/revenue/invoices/add-a-line-item-to-an-invoice.md)
* [Apply a discount to an invoice](/revenue/invoices/apply-a-discount-to-an-invoice.md)
* [Attach files or reports to an invoice](/revenue/invoices/attach-files-or-reports-to-an-invoice.md)
* [Can I reverse a payment I recorded?](/revenue/invoices/can-i-reverse-a-payment-i-recorded.md)
* [Feature availability and setup](/getting-started/getting-started/feature-availability-and-setup.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://learn.withessential.com/revenue/invoices/create-an-invoice.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.