In Tally.ERP 9, the automatic invoice number is the voucher number generated by the relevant Sales voucher type. Change it from Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info. → Voucher Types → Alter—not from the invoice-entry screen. Back up the company before altering a live numbering series, then test the result with a sample voucher.
First identify the series you are changing
Tally can use the default Sales voucher type or a custom type such as Retail Sales, Export Sales, Cash Sales, Credit Sales, GST Sales, or a branch-specific type. Altering the wrong type has no effect on the invoice you are recording. Check the voucher type selected during invoice entry and select that exact type in the alteration screen.
Decide whether you need to change the next starting number, format the number, restart a series, or override only one invoice. These are different operations and carry different risks.
Back up before changing a live series
Use Gateway of Tally → Alt+F3 → Backup and save the backup in a different location. Tally recommends a separate backup location before consequential changes; the same precaution is appropriate for voucher-numbering changes. Test in a copy of the company where possible.
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Change the automatic starting number
- Open Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info. → Voucher Types → Alter.
- Select the Sales voucher type used for your invoices.
- Set Method of Voucher Numbering? to Automatic, or to Automatic (Manual Override) if legitimate exceptions are required.
- Set Use Advance Configuration? to Yes.
- In the secondary configuration screen, enter the required Starting Number, such as
1001. - Review the restart, prefix, suffix, width, and zero-padding settings.
- Press Enter through the screen or press Ctrl+A to accept.
- Record a test invoice and verify the number in the Day Book and on the printed invoice.
A starting number of 1001 is intended to produce 1001, 1002, and 1003 under the active configuration. Do not assume that changing this field will rewrite only the next invoice: the effect depends on the release, existing transactions, and restart rules. Confirm the result in a backup or test company first. Tally documents the advanced fields here: Advanced Voucher Type Configuration.
Format numbers with prefixes, suffixes, and leading zeroes
These settings are in the same advanced voucher-numbering configuration. They change the displayed series format; they do not remove the requirement for unique invoice numbers.
| Requirement | Configuration | Illustrative result |
|---|---|---|
| Start at a particular number | Starting Number: 1001 |
1001, 1002, 1003 |
| Add an invoice prefix | Prefix Details: INV/ |
INV/001 |
| Add a suffix | Suffix Details: /26-27 |
INV/001/26-27 |
| Three-digit numbers | Width of Numerical Part: 3; Pre-fill with zero: Yes |
001, 002, 003 |
| Five-character numeric width | Width: 5; Pre-fill with zero: Yes |
Starting at 1001 displays as 01001 |
Prefix
Open Prefix Details and enter text such as INV/, DEL/, APR/, or ABC/. The numeric portion begins immediately after the prefix, so a separator such as / keeps the parts readable. For example, INV/1001.
Suffix
Open Suffix Details and enter a value such as /24-25, /2026, or -EXP. A configured result could be INV/1001/24-25. A suffix is formatting only and does not make otherwise duplicate numbers unique.
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Leading zeroes
Set Width of Numerical Part and choose Yes for Pre-fill with zero?. Width 4 and starting number 25 displays 0025; width 5 and starting number 1001 displays 01001. Tally’s documented field behavior is described in its advanced configuration guide.
Restart numbering by day, month, year, or another period
The advanced screen supports restart intervals including Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly, and Never. Enter an Applicable From date and the required period. Multiple restart dates can be configured for different periods.
For a genuinely separate series—such as a new financial year, branch, business division, or GST category—the safer documented approach is to create a new voucher type rather than changing a heavily used type mid-period.
- Back up the company.
- Go to Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info. → Voucher Types → Create.
- Create a new sales voucher type with a clear name.
- Choose Automatic or Automatic (Manual Override).
- Set Prevent duplicates? to Yes where the option is available.
- Enable Use Advance Configuration?.
- Enter the new starting number, applicable date, restart period, prefix, and suffix.
- Save it and use this voucher type for future invoices.
Tally’s guidance on separate series is available in Restarting Voucher Numbering. Automatic numbering normally starts at 1 at the beginning of a financial year unless advanced configuration supplies another starting number or restart rule. Verify the company’s financial-year settings before relying on that behavior.
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Change one invoice number without abandoning automatic numbering
Select Automatic (Manual Override). Tally generates the usual number but lets the operator replace it before saving. Tally’s example shows a prompted number of 10 changed to 21, after which the next generated number may continue from 22: Methods of Voucher Numbering.
Use an override only for a documented reason, such as continuing a controlled external or branch series. Do not casually alter an invoice number after it has been issued, printed, shared, or reported. Check the next generated number after saving the exception.
Changing between Automatic and Manual: the dangerous case
Do not switch an active voucher type from Automatic to Manual merely to change the next invoice number. Back up first and test the effect.
- Open Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info. → Voucher Types → Alter.
- Select the relevant voucher type.
- Change Method of Voucher Numbering? to Manual.
- Read and confirm Tally’s warning, then accept the voucher type.
Tally’s official FAQ states that changing Automatic to Manual can remove automatically assigned numbers from existing transactions, leaving the voucher-number field blank. The reverse change can also replace manually entered numbers with a newly generated sequence beginning with the first transaction recorded using that voucher type in the financial year. Historical invoice references, printouts, tax records, and reconciliations can therefore become inconsistent. See Tally’s Voucher Class and Voucher Numbering FAQ.
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Prevent duplicates and understand gaps
Prevent duplicates? helps stop the same voucher number being used twice, particularly with Manual or Automatic (Manual Override) numbering. Some controls can be enabled only when the voucher type has no existing transactions, so the option may not be available on a used type.
- Duplicates can result from manual re-entry, concurrent saves on multiple workstations, imports, alterations, or selecting the wrong voucher type.
- A gap can result from a deleted or cancelled voucher, a manual override, concurrent users, or a numbering-method change.
- A gap is not the same as a duplicate. Do not renumber historical invoices simply to make a sequence look continuous.
For Indian GST workflows, Tally’s documentation describes invoice voucher numbers as unique and continuous. Preserve an explanation for cancellations or gaps and confirm current legal requirements with a qualified tax professional rather than treating software settings as legal advice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting after the change
The next number did not change
- Confirm that the invoice uses the voucher type you altered, not a custom Sales type.
- Ensure the alteration was accepted and that Use Advance Configuration? is enabled.
- Check whether a restart period or Applicable From date overrides the starting number.
- Verify the company’s active financial year.
- Check whether a custom TDL or print format is displaying another field instead of the voucher number.
Old numbers are blank or have changed
Stop entering new vouchers. Inspect the backup and determine whether the numbering method was changed from Automatic to Manual or vice versa. Restore or consult a Tally specialist before attempting any renumbering; indiscriminate edits can destroy the audit trail.
A duplicate number appears
Use the next unused number, re-accept the voucher, and check other workstations or imports for a concurrent or repeated save. Review the duplicate-prevention setting and the exact voucher type.
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The next number is unexpectedly high
Look for a previously saved override, a transaction imported under the same voucher type, or another user saving a later number. Review the Day Book before changing the starting number again.
The printed invoice differs from the voucher
Compare the voucher number in the Day Book with the invoice-print configuration. A custom TDL or print format may be showing a separate reference field; changing print formatting does not change the underlying voucher number.
Tally.ERP 9 and TallyPrime
The paths above are for Tally.ERP 9. Tally says feature updates for the ERP 9 series have stopped while support continues, and current enhancements are delivered in TallyPrime: TallyPrime FAQ.
If you migrate, retain an unmigrated ERP 9 backup. Tally states that migrated data cannot be loaded back into ERP 9; returning requires the original unmigrated backup. Existing ERP 9 users with active TSS can follow Tally’s upgrade guidance.
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- Correct Sales or custom Sales voucher type selected
- Backup completed and retained separately
- Numbering method confirmed
- Starting number checked
- Prefix and suffix checked
- Numeric width and zero-padding checked
- Restart date and period checked
- Duplicate prevention reviewed
- Test invoice recorded
- Day Book and printed invoice verified
- Historical vouchers checked for unintended changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tally.ERP 9’s automatic invoice number configured?
In the relevant Sales voucher type: Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info. → Voucher Types → Alter.
Should I create a new voucher type for a new financial-year series?
Usually, yes. Tally’s documented restart guidance recommends a new voucher type when a separate series must be kept distinct from historical transactions.
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