Document Number typically acts as a reference number. For transactions like Journal Entries, we turn “auto-numbering” on, so NetSuite adds sequential numbering for easier referencing and auditing. In most cases, Document Numbers are unique. However, with “Allow Override”, we can create a record (intentionally or unintentionally) with a duplicate Document Number.
“Transaction Number” also acts as a reference number. In contrast with the “Document Number”, the “Transaction Number” is always unique (i.e., NetSuite doesn’t “Allow Override”).
Note that we can do a NetSuite Global Search for Transaction Numbers if we enable it via “Set Preferences -> Analytics -> Global Search Includes Transaction Numbers”.
Some transactions, such as Vendor Bills, don’t have auto-generated “Document Numbers” because of their ad-hoc nature. A user typically enters these. For example, Vendor A may have Bill # A-05062023, and Vendor B may have Bill # INV8401.
Likewise, some Bill Payments also represent Manual Checks, which sometimes require a “Document Numbering” override / user entry.
The ability to set auto-numbering of ‘document numbers’ for Bills is currently an enhancement logged in the voting stage – ‘Enhancement #68070 User would like to have auto-generated numbers option for bills’.
To enable Advanced Numbering for transaction numbers:
- Go to Setup > Company > Preferences > General Preferences (Administrator).
- Check the Show Transaction Numbering Setup box.
- Click Save.
- Go to Setup > Company > Auto-Generated Numbers (Administrator).
- Click the Transaction Numbers subtab.
- Check the Advanced Numbering box next to each transaction type for which we want advanced numbering sequences.
- Click Save.
NetSuite now displays a Setup link next to each transaction type we selected and creates a rule set for these transaction types. It migrates our existing numbering settings for each transaction type we selected to the standard rule in the rule set.