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Community > Feature Requests >

210
Vote
Invoices/Bills: Add subtotals
Started by Simon Taylor in Feature Requests | Idea
Would love to be able to add subtotals to invoices. For example, have a few invoice lines, a subtotal, some more invoice lines, a subtotal, etc. I currently have to provide a separate spreadsheet showing the info my client wants to see.
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Official Xero Reply
Hi everyone - I'm John from the invoicing team at Xero. With this massive project that's been in the works for some time, glad to say we're starting to see the end of the tunnel here.
We're currently in Sept 2017 & the midst of a closed beta, with the hope to release the initial new Invoicing functionality in a few months time.
As we mentioned earlier in the year - Subtotals isn't part of the first release, but we're committed to improving on new invoicing incrementally and subtotals will definitely be considered as one of these improvements.
We're currently in Sept 2017 & the midst of a closed beta, with the hope to release the initial new Invoicing functionality in a few months time.
As we mentioned earlier in the year - Subtotals isn't part of the first release, but we're committed to improving on new invoicing incrementally and subtotals will definitely be considered as one of these improvements.

Merged: Sales Invoices - Code one line item to different account codes
I'd really like to be able to code one line item to several different account codes (for the chart of accounts). For example, we may do an invoice (we are a service company) for a client that has a description of the service and the figure includes the machinery hire, the materials used and the labour. This is especially when we are invoicing from a quote. So i need to code that total figure to the 3 seperate codes for Machine Hire, Labour Hire and Materials, in the corresponding amounts that make up the total figure. I guess i need to "hide" the breakdown and just have end total figure showing for the client but the breakdown of machinery etc able to be seen by us. I hope this is understandable! Is there some way i can do this? or not?
I'd really like to be able to code one line item to several different account codes (for the chart of accounts). For example, we may do an invoice (we are a service company) for a client that has a description of the service and the figure includes the machinery hire, the materials used and the labour. This is especially when we are invoicing from a quote. So i need to code that total figure to the 3 seperate codes for Machine Hire, Labour Hire and Materials, in the corresponding amounts that make up the total figure. I guess i need to "hide" the breakdown and just have end total figure showing for the client but the breakdown of machinery etc able to be seen by us. I hope this is understandable! Is there some way i can do this? or not?

Sorry Debbie - the description is a required field, and there is no way to prevent it from showing on the invoice. I agree that it would be very nice. One option is to create the invoice the way you want the client to see it - and send it. Then, edit it (before payment has been applied) to reflect the coding that you actually want. Second option is to code the one line to a suspense/clearing account and then use Manual Journals or a zero value invoice to reallocate.

+1. In our situation we'd want to subtotal the labour, then subtotal the disbursments.

Am currently assessing xero invoicing for system selection purposes and the fact that Xero doesn't appear to be able to provide separate subtotals for labour & materials on an invoice will sink it as an option. Is there a workaround?

To add to this - if the individual items that would create the subtotal could be hidden (displaying in the subtotal only) I think it would be useful to many services.

Thanks for the feedback on this so far. At the moment, there are no plans to introduce this and no way to achieve it in Xero.
We’re really keen to hear from more users who would find this useful though, so please keep the feedback (and votes!) coming – the more detail the better. Thanks again.
We’re really keen to hear from more users who would find this useful though, so please keep the feedback (and votes!) coming – the more detail the better. Thanks again.

Agree. We have item invoices sometimes 20+ lines long and often need to add a subtotal in the middle. This would save us lots of time manually calculating. Thanks

This would definitely be helpful for me. I used this feature all the time in MYOB before converting....and am finding it really difficult not having this feature. Clients are questioning why I don't have this on our invoices anymore.

We have detailed invoices that show the work done and materials supplied each day on construction jobs. Subtotals was a great feature on MYOB and we are finding it very frustrating not having this feature in Xero. Please add it if it's possible.

Without subtotal we can't use the invoicing since we have service items where we give an early payment discount on the subtotal and we have expenses, where we do not give a discount since they are already net.

I have two construction industry clients - both requesting this feature. They need to be able to subtotal labour and materials before CIS deductions for clients and are currently having to produce invoices in Word to keep their customers happy.
Please can this feature be added.
Please can this feature be added.

If you've posted a comment on this feature request but haven't voted for it, please come back and add your vote. That will then double the number of votes for this request. And if you know of other people or businesses who would also like this feature, please encourage them to vote and add a comment too. The more votes this request gets, the more the Xero team will appreciate how important this feature is to their customers. Thanks.

Guys, we really need to be add subtotal and discounts as we go in mulitple parts of our invoices. This is how invoicing works, it must be a fundamental part of your software. I shall have to review if we can use your software since it lacks such a basic function. Not having a PO field is another oversight which is hard to understand.

Hi Simon, just on the above, do you have updates on when this feature is coming? If it's not in the pipeline then I'll have to move if it's coming soon then we'll see what we can do to wait. We really don't need to vote on this sort of thing, it just needs to be there.

Hi Steve. Sorry, I don't work for Xero. I'm the guy that created this feature request. I then encouraged everyone who had commented to also vote. You should vote too. In a sea of feature requests, it's the ones with votes that rise to the top and get Xero's attention and development resource.

Me too. This seems like it should be standard functionality. I have complex billing that can be summarised easily with sub-totalling - I just can't get it onto the invoice! C'mon Xero please help us out

This is still a major function required by my company. To be able to create single invoice 'items' that are subtotals of a group of Xero items (and ability to 'show subtotal only').
Similar to the functionality of the 'report' customisabilty - so hoped it wouldn't be a massive step to make.
Please prioritise this.
Similar to the functionality of the 'report' customisabilty - so hoped it wouldn't be a massive step to make.
Please prioritise this.

Not sure why we have to ask for this... it's a bit like saying I'd like wheels with my car please

Hi Lisa, Samuel & Steve. Thanks for your comments. If you haven't clicked the vote button, please do so. The more votes, the more attention this request gets.

I would give this all my votes if I could - sadly not - and can't believe this is not required by more people. I thought the topic of this vote may be too vague to illustrate the required element or possibly even multiple vote topics have been made alluding to the same problem.
Surely the ability to, for example create an invoice charging a customer for an item - and hiding that this item could be made up of cost price + margin is among one of the most widely required features of any invoice? Maybe I'm wrong.
Surely the ability to, for example create an invoice charging a customer for an item - and hiding that this item could be made up of cost price + margin is among one of the most widely required features of any invoice? Maybe I'm wrong.

Your not wrong, this just need adding, if no other reason than pride in your product, it doesn't need voting for

Agreed. I'm a CPA with multiple clients requesting this (BUT I can only vote once). I'm finding it as a granularity issue - clients want to be able to track components of products (such as a physical product + service cost), but do not want their customers to see the breakdown.

Completely agreed with the comments above, this functionality is key to several of our clients within the Practice.

Just wanted to jump in here and let you know that we have no plans to introduce subtotals per groups of line items at this stage. Understand for those on this thread it's a must-have and we're definitely keeping our eye on this to see if interest grows. Right now we're working on a few other features and updates that have a higher demand. We do have pride in our product but we just cannot physically work on everything at once (great if we could!!) and have a tough time weighing everything up so votes and feedback from you helps!

If not subtotals, then a system to handle CIS for UK contractors/subcontractors would be high on priorities - it would be one up on FreeAgent at least...

Merged: Sub-total
When creating an invoice, It would be nice to be able to sub-total the lines above the sub-total line (up to any previous sub-total line).
For example, I have 2 lines of hardware, and 2 lines of software. I should very much like to list a subtotal of the hardware and then the software.
Eg:
Hardware line 1 qty 2 price £3.20
Hardware line 2 qty 3 price £6.40
Hardware Subtotal price £9.60
Software line 1 qty 1 price £5.00
Software line 2 qty 2 price £10.00
Software Subtotal price £15.00
Total Price £24.60
I would anticipate this working by entering a line item with the "Item" being "Subtotal" and the total column being totalled up from the rows above it (stopping when it finds another subtotal).
Should be easy to implement.
Alternatively, auto-generate sub-totals from each unique set of items in the "Item" column.
When creating an invoice, It would be nice to be able to sub-total the lines above the sub-total line (up to any previous sub-total line).
For example, I have 2 lines of hardware, and 2 lines of software. I should very much like to list a subtotal of the hardware and then the software.
Eg:
Hardware line 1 qty 2 price £3.20
Hardware line 2 qty 3 price £6.40
Hardware Subtotal price £9.60
Software line 1 qty 1 price £5.00
Software line 2 qty 2 price £10.00
Software Subtotal price £15.00
Total Price £24.60
I would anticipate this working by entering a line item with the "Item" being "Subtotal" and the total column being totalled up from the rows above it (stopping when it finds another subtotal).
Should be easy to implement.
Alternatively, auto-generate sub-totals from each unique set of items in the "Item" column.

+1 for subtotaling within the invoice, migrated from MYOB and shocked a simple feature was missing.

Hi Catherine, what other features have a higher demand? Quotes? We'll you're not doing those either? Are people REALLY asking for Facebook and instagram integrations before these, I seriously think not. Please credit our intelligence, the hipsters in your dev team are making what they want to make to look cool not what your users need

Hi Steve. We definitely are going to do Quotes but right now as you’re probably aware we’re focussing our efforts on creating an improved reporting framework.
We do encourage you to keep voting (+1s aren’t counted) as this is what we use to monitor user demand, but there are many other more popular requests.
We do encourage you to keep voting (+1s aren’t counted) as this is what we use to monitor user demand, but there are many other more popular requests.

Why are you wasting your time on ridiculous things like 4 decimal places and you still Cannot provide us with the ability to have Subtotals so an invoice can be sectionalised without using a calculator and doing it manually???
I am having to still use MYOB because you can't add this simple feature.
I am having to still use MYOB because you can't add this simple feature.

This feature would be very useful. It is the only thing stopping my client transferring all his invoicing over to Xero!

This should be a simple thing to implement and would save so much angst explaining to the client. We always quote fees plus disbursements and it is vital to be able to sub-total those on an invoice. Gobsmacked that this basic feature in MYOB is not available in Xero

How many replies are required to change your interest in wanting to do this. I am very keen for this to happen, 4 decimal places is a good feature, however has only made me 72 cents extra income so far. If I can break down the quote and the invoice with subtotals, I believe that i can generate heap more income. 50 People have voted for this feature. at least $30,000 of income per year are asking for this feature. Not to mention the people that just accept that they can't do subtotals. At the moment I have to add up the the totals with calculator. Then add a blank line. Having a simple function to add would be great. Here is an example that it can be done.
http://help.myob.com.au/ar2014/sales_lines.htm
http://help.myob.com.au/ar2014/sales_lines.htm

I believe its essential to have a subtotal especially when you charge admin fee.
Unfortunately there is no option for admin fee either in the Xero program!!
Its so basic for invoicing and yet Xero does not have it.
It should be a priority and a good example is the MYOB program for invoicing which is better.
The Xero programmers or whatever should have a look at that for ideas!
Very disappointing.
Unfortunately there is no option for admin fee either in the Xero program!!
Its so basic for invoicing and yet Xero does not have it.
It should be a priority and a good example is the MYOB program for invoicing which is better.
The Xero programmers or whatever should have a look at that for ideas!
Very disappointing.

agreed.. im blown away you can't do this. its such a basic invoicing feature. especially in cases where you want apply a line item discount to a portion of an invoice. every real invoicing system ive ever worked with allows this ... you create some line item entries, do a subtotal, then on the next line enter a discount which would apply to the subtotal (previous line).
how can there be "no plans" for such a basic, common, and competitively standardized feature?
how can there be "no plans" for such a basic, common, and competitively standardized feature?

Hi Jasen unfortunatly it will come but in about 4 years time which seems to be the normal dev window for business user essentials. If it was an accountants essential (who Xero sell through) it would be more like 3-6 months. We've only just had confirmation that there will be quotes coming this January, that's right, quotes, when I buy my next car I wonder if I should ask if it comes with wheels?

I would have to agree with you Steve. Xero excels as an accountants tool - which I acknowledge is the core product. But seem slow to support it's actual / potential 'end' business users who want to connect directly with their own accounts - surely a more forward thinking product.

There is a now a tool which can provide subtotals in Xero invoices, etc. You can find an example of using it for subtotals on this page: http://www.goflagship.com/products/fspprobsolv.htm

Just to keep awareness of this issue up - and an observation. I believe the introduction of 'quotes' is a movement for Xero away from it's core 'tool for accountants' and into a 'tool for business'. This is good, but following in this direction, this Post's issue must follow... the ability for a business owner to add items to an invoice - not fully visible on the customers invoice. ie. Only a Sub-total visible - made up of multiple Xero 'accounts'.

I have spent months of spare time setting up XERO and a hire plug in for it and will be ditching them both. MYOB Premier at least has consideration for what the end user wants. Correct me if I'm wrong but I would have thought there would have been more small businesses out there than accountants. No quotes and no subtotals no me.

Hi, we also have clients who require subtotal lines on their invoices as they split their invoice per day and submit weekly.

I wish there were "like" buttons so i can like all the comments.
Xero really needs to do this for their customers. I feel as though we are using a backward program.
Xero really needs to do this for their customers. I feel as though we are using a backward program.

Any update from Xero since 2013 on this issue? Now that quotes and RTI/payroll are up and running, will subtotals be included as a priority at all?

Hi everyone, I know it's been a year since our last comment but there's nothing in this space I can update you with. It's definitely something we need to consider if Invoices get a refresh, but for now sub-totals haven't been scheduled. We do appreciate all the feedback you've given so far, so please keep that coming - it's useful to the team to have context around why you'd need a feature.

I've just started using Xero and the lack of sub totals also could be a deal breaker. My clients require sub totals of clients/ days / expenses. My first invoices will sent on Monday.
This really is a very basic requirement??
This really is a very basic requirement??

I, too, would like to see subtotals implemented in both quotes and invoices. It's great that you can apply a discount to each individual line item of a quote or invoice, but some people (me included) prefer to display the sum of the items' list prices as a subtotal, and then apply one or more discounts to this, on subsequent lines. This also gives you the space to declare what each discount is for (prepayment, academic discount, to give a couple of examples from our business), rather than having to bundle them all together opaquely into a single percentage discount on each line, as we do now.

Subtotals are needed for discounting, and where tiered discounting is also implemented. Please add this.

Merged: Collating on going costs - show as one cost
My business uses a lot of couriers and wish to input the cost/ref/date/etc and assign each to a job in progress. At invoice point we wish to hide the breakdown and combine the item costs as one. Is that possible?
12/3/15 Bike from EC1 to W1 £16
14/3/15 Car from WD1 to N1 £50
14/3/15 Car from N1 to W1 £38
Invoice:
Transport costs £104
My business uses a lot of couriers and wish to input the cost/ref/date/etc and assign each to a job in progress. At invoice point we wish to hide the breakdown and combine the item costs as one. Is that possible?
12/3/15 Bike from EC1 to W1 £16
14/3/15 Car from WD1 to N1 £50
14/3/15 Car from N1 to W1 £38
Invoice:
Transport costs £104

Ian,
There are several threads asking for this (Brittany/Matt will probably merge). This is not currently possible. I do have a docx template workaround that might work for you, but it does have some catches. Book a support session with me if you are interested.
Peter.
Xero Certified Advisor, Canadian CPA & New Zealand CA and Xero's award winning Most Valuable Professional. I give implementation advice to clients all over the globe. Get a Xero MVP on your team! Visit my blog for various Xero articles.
You can book a live remote Xero support session with me or self-paced Xero training for a very reasonable price.
There are several threads asking for this (Brittany/Matt will probably merge). This is not currently possible. I do have a docx template workaround that might work for you, but it does have some catches. Book a support session with me if you are interested.
Peter.
Xero Certified Advisor, Canadian CPA & New Zealand CA and Xero's award winning Most Valuable Professional. I give implementation advice to clients all over the globe. Get a Xero MVP on your team! Visit my blog for various Xero articles.
You can book a live remote Xero support session with me or self-paced Xero training for a very reasonable price.

Hi Xero, my client needs to be able to show total materials and labour for the CIS scheme (where a %age of labour is paid direct to HMRC rather than the contractor) but also needs to show a breakdown of material cost ie 2 subtotals.

Seriously Xero - get this sorted!
It's a vital requirement for a number of very successful businesses
It's a vital requirement for a number of very successful businesses

Hi
Im a relatively new user with a foreign company who has set up a subsidiary in Australia. I appointed an accounts company who used Xero so I adopted it by default. I really like what I've seen so far but the lack of sub totals is restricting me and I have to re-edit quotes and invoices in Word.
Are sub-totals going to be implemented any time soon?
I note that MYOB allows them so as it's still early in the company, I'm seriously thinking of switching across now
Im a relatively new user with a foreign company who has set up a subsidiary in Australia. I appointed an accounts company who used Xero so I adopted it by default. I really like what I've seen so far but the lack of sub totals is restricting me and I have to re-edit quotes and invoices in Word.
Are sub-totals going to be implemented any time soon?
I note that MYOB allows them so as it's still early in the company, I'm seriously thinking of switching across now

We have a major client who has requested subtotals on our invoices (to separate work on different stages of a contract). We've been using MYOB and have been able to create a correctly formatted invoice. We've switched to Xero (for several reasons), but it concerns me that these invoices may need to be created manually in word.

I follow the predecessors:
We need subtotals for the tax declaration as many posts are "in transit" or not directly declared by us. Alternatively, it would be okay to have a split bill.
We need subtotals for the tax declaration as many posts are "in transit" or not directly declared by us. Alternatively, it would be okay to have a split bill.

DEFINITELY a necessary basic feature and glaring miss here. Still shopping elsewhere because of this not being offered...
You asked why. There are many many reasons. For our business, we would like to subdivide and sub-total labor from equipment sales on same invoice. When running a live production, we would like to sub-divide and sub-total our Sound services from our Lighting services, from our Staging services. So the client can see what is going to which and make decisions based on that. On installations of equipment, we would like to sub-divide and sub-total the costs for the different rooms in a building or purposes. Every aspect of my (and many other's) multi-faceted business needs this feature. So I would ask you (and Xero), why / who would NOT benefit??
While we're speaking of sub-totaling, another miss is being able to do more than a single calculation for an item. IE, I consistently need to show a client is renting 5 items, for 3 days, @ $5 each.
You asked why. There are many many reasons. For our business, we would like to subdivide and sub-total labor from equipment sales on same invoice. When running a live production, we would like to sub-divide and sub-total our Sound services from our Lighting services, from our Staging services. So the client can see what is going to which and make decisions based on that. On installations of equipment, we would like to sub-divide and sub-total the costs for the different rooms in a building or purposes. Every aspect of my (and many other's) multi-faceted business needs this feature. So I would ask you (and Xero), why / who would NOT benefit??
While we're speaking of sub-totaling, another miss is being able to do more than a single calculation for an item. IE, I consistently need to show a client is renting 5 items, for 3 days, @ $5 each.

Subtotals are a necessary part of many businesses that supply parts, labour and installations all as part of one overall quote.
For example, in Landscape Gardening business invoicing we need to be able to separate out Labour for different parts of the job, apply a subtotal; then Plants supplied (by name and size ex inventory), apply a subtotal; then Irrigation (multiple parts supplied ex inventory), apply a subtotal. Otherwise the client gets one absolutely huge bill with no spaces, no divisions and no ability to be able to see what portion is costing them what.
The same is applicable to quotes. In fact I don't use quotes and have started to supply excel spreadhseets with invoices to be able to give clients this breakdown. It's very frustrating. I do accounts for over 30 + companies and so far have only migrated about 6 onto Xero because of this and other basic lacks of functionality (as opposed to accounting).
If Xero wants to actually really complete with Quickbooks/Reckon/MYOB, they need to get their act together because I'm talking to more and more people in my profession (accountants/bookkeepers) who are sitting on the fence on Xero and slowing down on their conversions due to these fundamental working tools not being there.
For example, in Landscape Gardening business invoicing we need to be able to separate out Labour for different parts of the job, apply a subtotal; then Plants supplied (by name and size ex inventory), apply a subtotal; then Irrigation (multiple parts supplied ex inventory), apply a subtotal. Otherwise the client gets one absolutely huge bill with no spaces, no divisions and no ability to be able to see what portion is costing them what.
The same is applicable to quotes. In fact I don't use quotes and have started to supply excel spreadhseets with invoices to be able to give clients this breakdown. It's very frustrating. I do accounts for over 30 + companies and so far have only migrated about 6 onto Xero because of this and other basic lacks of functionality (as opposed to accounting).
If Xero wants to actually really complete with Quickbooks/Reckon/MYOB, they need to get their act together because I'm talking to more and more people in my profession (accountants/bookkeepers) who are sitting on the fence on Xero and slowing down on their conversions due to these fundamental working tools not being there.

Did you just hear that dull THUNK? It was my jaw hitting the floor.
NO SUBTOTALS - simply unbelievable.
I have been so impressed with the product and the support - I had advised (enthusiastically) that the company I am working with moves to XERO and then i found this ridiculous functionality omission.
Unfortunately, unless i devise or buy in a solution it will kill the use of Xero stone dead - simply because our CUSTOMERS REQUIRE IT.
Examples of why
I am sitting with one of our existing Invoices ( from Sage)
It consists of 42 pages with around a hundred delivery points, each with four delivery dates and around 20 variable item types each so we have around 8000 lines - inconceivable without sub- totals .
NO SUBTOTALS - simply unbelievable.
I have been so impressed with the product and the support - I had advised (enthusiastically) that the company I am working with moves to XERO and then i found this ridiculous functionality omission.
Unfortunately, unless i devise or buy in a solution it will kill the use of Xero stone dead - simply because our CUSTOMERS REQUIRE IT.
Examples of why
I am sitting with one of our existing Invoices ( from Sage)
It consists of 42 pages with around a hundred delivery points, each with four delivery dates and around 20 variable item types each so we have around 8000 lines - inconceivable without sub- totals .

Merged: Sales - Invoice Template Improvements
HI,
I'd like to see the ability to have options in quotes with sub-totals instead of just the grand total.
At the moment I have to make three separate quotes to cater for 3 options.
I could put them all on the same quotes if we had the ability to have subtotals.
For example have the fixed part of the quote at the top then three options below with a revised sub-total under each option. The grand total would be blank so the client can use whichever option total is relevant.
Also, with the invoice templates we cannot add line details to the template.
I'd like to have some text fixed in some of the lines to save retyping every time.
If that is not possible could we have a text box section at the top and bottom of the invoice where we can add this text instead so it comes up on every invoice?
Thanks
Steve
HI,
I'd like to see the ability to have options in quotes with sub-totals instead of just the grand total.
At the moment I have to make three separate quotes to cater for 3 options.
I could put them all on the same quotes if we had the ability to have subtotals.
For example have the fixed part of the quote at the top then three options below with a revised sub-total under each option. The grand total would be blank so the client can use whichever option total is relevant.
Also, with the invoice templates we cannot add line details to the template.
I'd like to have some text fixed in some of the lines to save retyping every time.
If that is not possible could we have a text box section at the top and bottom of the invoice where we can add this text instead so it comes up on every invoice?
Thanks
Steve

As well as the need to separate out labour costs from materials we also provide quotes with options e.g. 1, 2 or 3 year software support renewals. It is too cumbersome to send three separate quotes - one for each option. A subtotal would allow us to send one quote with the three options separated out.

I have been lucky enough to be able to find a rather cunbersome work round in producing invoice by adding additional "fake"items in and using them to format Docx. But I have the luxury of bulk loading the items so can control the sequencing etc.
Fundementally the problem s limited report writing facilities I think - the Docx thing is just not a practical tool.
Fundementally the problem s limited report writing facilities I think - the Docx thing is just not a practical tool.

Wow! Now I am seriously wondering if I need to go back to Quickbooks.
No SUBTOTALS? Unfingbelievable!
I wish I had known this before putting all this work into converting over to XERO.
This needs to be a priority - or we are out.
What is the time frame?
No SUBTOTALS? Unfingbelievable!
I wish I had known this before putting all this work into converting over to XERO.
This needs to be a priority - or we are out.
What is the time frame?

Merged: Sales Invoices - Headings and sub totals
HI
It would be really great if when i enter an invoice i can add sub headings and totals that don't require a dollar amount or account code. Even make them Bold
I need to invoice & sub total Parts, Labour and Supplementary items as well as add a description of the vehicle with make,model, colour etc. and am spending hours manually adding the headings.
I have set up items codes with the Car details but by adding an item it is wanting a dollar amount and account code allocated.
Can you please implement a right hand click add heading line and sub total please?
HI
It would be really great if when i enter an invoice i can add sub headings and totals that don't require a dollar amount or account code. Even make them Bold
I need to invoice & sub total Parts, Labour and Supplementary items as well as add a description of the vehicle with make,model, colour etc. and am spending hours manually adding the headings.
I have set up items codes with the Car details but by adding an item it is wanting a dollar amount and account code allocated.
Can you please implement a right hand click add heading line and sub total please?

Hi Xero,
This feature would be useful for us. We take calls for a number of businesses, depending on the size of the business we may provide a number of different services and phone lines. It would be good if we could show a subtotal for each service offered.
Thank You
This feature would be useful for us. We take calls for a number of businesses, depending on the size of the business we may provide a number of different services and phone lines. It would be good if we could show a subtotal for each service offered.
Thank You

I see this thread has been going for 4 years. For heavens sake just sub contract it out.
OR an even better idea just DUMP the ridiculously obselete and clumsy DOCX s and put in one of several commercial report generators. Then we could do this ourselves!!!
OR an even better idea just DUMP the ridiculously obselete and clumsy DOCX s and put in one of several commercial report generators. Then we could do this ourselves!!!

this is my first comment in sept 2014:
I believe its essential to have a subtotal especially when you charge admin fee.
Unfortunately there is no option for admin fee either in the Xero program!!
Its so basic for invoicing and yet Xero does not have it.
It should be a priority and a good example is the MYOB program for invoicing which is better.
The Xero programmers or whatever should have a look at that for ideas!
Very disappointing.
then in may 2015:
I wish there were "like" buttons so i can like all the comments.
Xero really needs to do this for their customers. I feel as though we are using a backward program
Steve Urwin it will probably be another 4 years before they bother to listen to their clients. Without us they dont have a program so they really need to sort this out before people up and leave to a better, updated accounting software with sub totals.
Xero why is it taking so long?
I believe its essential to have a subtotal especially when you charge admin fee.
Unfortunately there is no option for admin fee either in the Xero program!!
Its so basic for invoicing and yet Xero does not have it.
It should be a priority and a good example is the MYOB program for invoicing which is better.
The Xero programmers or whatever should have a look at that for ideas!
Very disappointing.
then in may 2015:
I wish there were "like" buttons so i can like all the comments.
Xero really needs to do this for their customers. I feel as though we are using a backward program
Steve Urwin it will probably be another 4 years before they bother to listen to their clients. Without us they dont have a program so they really need to sort this out before people up and leave to a better, updated accounting software with sub totals.
Xero why is it taking so long?


Wow. Its been how many years and still no subtotal? Are you kidding me? Still not convinced in the power of the subtotal? I work in an industry where I need to discount equipment for certain clients, but not labor. How do I do this in Xero. I don't?
I'll just tell my clients, sorry Xero finds this function bloated and unneccasary so you're not getting a discount.
I'll just tell my clients, sorry Xero finds this function bloated and unneccasary so you're not getting a discount.

Still no subtotals??? I have a client who creates many invoices that include Royalty lines. The Royalty amounts are not taxable and they want to be clear to their customers which amounts on their invoices are taxed and which are not. Simply showing two different tax amounts does not point their customers to the total amount of items that are taxed and the total amount of which items are not.
Why can't this very simple bit of coding be incorporated after all this time and all the requests? You do know that each person who has engaged in this thread represent many, many users who can't or won't bother asking?!?!
Why can't this very simple bit of coding be incorporated after all this time and all the requests? You do know that each person who has engaged in this thread represent many, many users who can't or won't bother asking?!?!

+1 for adding sub totals.
Also, how has this feature request been unanswered for almost 4 years?!? Thats shameful and poor product management.
Also, how has this feature request been unanswered for almost 4 years?!? Thats shameful and poor product management.

Because Xero has an add-on called workflowmax that they charge for. It is a nice product, but kinda unfair to do it that way.

Sorry for the late reply, and thanks for posting!
I'm going to merge to this thread where others have requested subtotals too.
Would inserting static text using the DOCX templates work for your text request, Steve?
I'm going to merge to this thread where others have requested subtotals too.
Would inserting static text using the DOCX templates work for your text request, Steve?

why do we need to vote for this??? its up to 121 now and asking for 5 more. once it hits 126 do you actually do something about it??? its a basic necessity how hard can it be???

Invoice2go and QB both have Subtotals, why shouldn't have to buy an additional thing (workflow max) when xero should just implement this!!!!
It's quite frustrating! Maybe we just all switch our accounting/invoicing software.
It's quite frustrating! Maybe we just all switch our accounting/invoicing software.

Why I would like to see Subtotals on Invoices:
1. I have clients who are billed quarterly. I like to show them the subtotals for each month's work during that quarter so they can record the accrued expenses in their books.
2. I have tech clients for whom the State Comptroller has determined 80% of some of their services are sales taxable at 8.25%. For transparency, I need to show the 8.25% tax rate on invoices, not a calculated 6.6%. To accomplish this, I would like for the invoice to calculate the subtotal, then apply a -20% adjustment of the taxable items, reducing the taxable amount to 80% of services, then add back a 20% adjustment at a 0% tax rate to represent the non-taxable services. Then, the invoice can calculate total services, including taxable and non-taxable, and apply the 8.25% tax rate to 80% of services.
Thanks for asking for our feedback. I look forward to seeing Subtotal functionality in the future!
1. I have clients who are billed quarterly. I like to show them the subtotals for each month's work during that quarter so they can record the accrued expenses in their books.
2. I have tech clients for whom the State Comptroller has determined 80% of some of their services are sales taxable at 8.25%. For transparency, I need to show the 8.25% tax rate on invoices, not a calculated 6.6%. To accomplish this, I would like for the invoice to calculate the subtotal, then apply a -20% adjustment of the taxable items, reducing the taxable amount to 80% of services, then add back a 20% adjustment at a 0% tax rate to represent the non-taxable services. Then, the invoice can calculate total services, including taxable and non-taxable, and apply the 8.25% tax rate to 80% of services.
Thanks for asking for our feedback. I look forward to seeing Subtotal functionality in the future!

Hello everyone involved in this link. My first post regarding this topic was "4 Nov 2012". I've always been a vocal advocate for Xero - and list it among one of a handful of tools that allows me to perform my business. So it's disappointing to have so little progress on something that, over the 4 years, has gathered strong support.
For me the description 'Subtotals' does not illustrate the enormity of what this tiny tweak could represent. For me, Xero has bought clarity on where my money comes from and goes. Prior to this I'd clutch blindly as fictional Excel spreadsheets in vain. Discovering Xero and breaking into a 'chart of accounts' was a revelation in terms of tracking ins & outs. Sub-sectioning my incomes and outgoings was enlightening to say the least. But it would seem like an obvious requirement that invoices meant for client eyes - should not be privy to these 'internal categories'. Without being able to create invoice line items, made up from multiple 'chart of accounts', for many, the benefits of invoicing from Xero, or the benefits of reporting each 'account' at the click of a button is lost. This would seem like a critical failure?
For me the description 'Subtotals' does not illustrate the enormity of what this tiny tweak could represent. For me, Xero has bought clarity on where my money comes from and goes. Prior to this I'd clutch blindly as fictional Excel spreadsheets in vain. Discovering Xero and breaking into a 'chart of accounts' was a revelation in terms of tracking ins & outs. Sub-sectioning my incomes and outgoings was enlightening to say the least. But it would seem like an obvious requirement that invoices meant for client eyes - should not be privy to these 'internal categories'. Without being able to create invoice line items, made up from multiple 'chart of accounts', for many, the benefits of invoicing from Xero, or the benefits of reporting each 'account' at the click of a button is lost. This would seem like a critical failure?

We need sub totals by catageory of product for export documents - to do things manually in this day and age seems ridiculous. How hard can it be? pretty shocked to find out it can't be done in Xero.

Embarrassing when you have to admit to a client that your accounting system doesn't 'do' sub-totals. I was invoicing a government agency yesterday, who wanted three jobs put on one invoice as they were all part of one contract. Very sorry - can't do sir.

I get a Newsletter today saying that XERO spent £70 million on development - REALLY???
ON WHAT ?
The problem about subtotals isa small part of a much wider problem - that the " reports writing" system for invoices etc is based upon the stupidity of mail merging.
XERO need a simple good old fashioned report writer
Go and look at SAGE - a simple (actually very old) report writer accessing essentially the same files as XERO.
Such a RW could be done with MANY advantages including the subtotal issue - NOt an expensive or great time consumer.
Seems to be that XERO MUST have some other reason for not making this obvious basic improvement.
And while I am ranting !!
Why cant line items entered by csv "look up" the stored price ??
WAIT A MINUTE - THEY DO !! IT TELLS YOU ON THE UPDATE IF YOU HAVE CHANGED THE PRICE. Sooooooooooooooo the mechanism is already there to add a price in if not entered in the CSV = SIMPLES
Come on XERO your excuses are weaker and weaker
ON WHAT ?
The problem about subtotals isa small part of a much wider problem - that the " reports writing" system for invoices etc is based upon the stupidity of mail merging.
XERO need a simple good old fashioned report writer
Go and look at SAGE - a simple (actually very old) report writer accessing essentially the same files as XERO.
Such a RW could be done with MANY advantages including the subtotal issue - NOt an expensive or great time consumer.
Seems to be that XERO MUST have some other reason for not making this obvious basic improvement.
And while I am ranting !!
Why cant line items entered by csv "look up" the stored price ??
WAIT A MINUTE - THEY DO !! IT TELLS YOU ON THE UPDATE IF YOU HAVE CHANGED THE PRICE. Sooooooooooooooo the mechanism is already there to add a price in if not entered in the CSV = SIMPLES
Come on XERO your excuses are weaker and weaker

I gave up and use another program that plugs into XERO that does Subtotals.
Of course they don't import the subtotals .
Maybe if us users could get a logical explanation as to why it hasn't happened..... just for shits and giggles.
Of course they don't import the subtotals .
Maybe if us users could get a logical explanation as to why it hasn't happened..... just for shits and giggles.

It's been over a year since Xero's last official reply on this. Can we have an update please?

Hi everyone, sorry for being a bit MIA on this thread - we've had to wait for a few more details to firm up before being able to update.
So right now a few teams have been busy investigating, and planning what new invoicing screens could potentially look like. The invoicing screens are getting too complicated, and so they're looking to simplify this - while adding more flexibility for additional fields and customisation. This initial investigation work is still in progress, and this will be a pretty big project.
Once the basics have been completed, we'll be able to look to add more customisation - like what's been requested here.
I can't give you any indication of timeframes (as work hasn't started!) but I wanted to assure you that this is definitely on our radar.
So right now a few teams have been busy investigating, and planning what new invoicing screens could potentially look like. The invoicing screens are getting too complicated, and so they're looking to simplify this - while adding more flexibility for additional fields and customisation. This initial investigation work is still in progress, and this will be a pretty big project.
Once the basics have been completed, we'll be able to look to add more customisation - like what's been requested here.
I can't give you any indication of timeframes (as work hasn't started!) but I wanted to assure you that this is definitely on our radar.

Thanks for the reply.
I'd be happy to discuss what my requirements are if it'd be useful - as I'm not sure it's fully described in the preamble to this post.
I have looked at WorkflowMAX as thought this may be something Xero preferred to be 'added on ($)' - but have found it is equally unsupported there also, so live in hope it can be developed into Xero.
I'd be happy to discuss what my requirements are if it'd be useful - as I'm not sure it's fully described in the preamble to this post.
I have looked at WorkflowMAX as thought this may be something Xero preferred to be 'added on ($)' - but have found it is equally unsupported there also, so live in hope it can be developed into Xero.

Merged: Subtotal item and able to give discount $ or % off the subtotal.
Allow subtotals. Also able to give discount off the subtotal. Both % or $.
Allow subtotals. Also able to give discount off the subtotal. Both % or $.

Merged: Sales Invoice - Sub-Line Items
Is it possible to have sub-lines sitting under an invoice line?
I.e. (excuse the ___ - it doesn't show properly with just spaces)
Invoice Line Item 1
______Sub Line Item 1
______Sub Line Item 2
Invoice Line Item 2
______Sub Line Item 1
______Sub Line Item 2
Is it possible to have sub-lines sitting under an invoice line?
I.e. (excuse the ___ - it doesn't show properly with just spaces)
Invoice Line Item 1
______Sub Line Item 1
______Sub Line Item 2
Invoice Line Item 2
______Sub Line Item 1
______Sub Line Item 2

No it's not, but you may be able to create this in a docx template using conditional merge fields. Would need some testing and depends on how the item codes or descriptions are used.
Peter.
Xero-award winning Most Valuable Professional accountant serving NZ, Canada and US. Book a paid live remote Xero support session with me (no matter where you are) or use our self-paced Xero training.
Peter.
Xero-award winning Most Valuable Professional accountant serving NZ, Canada and US. Book a paid live remote Xero support session with me (no matter where you are) or use our self-paced Xero training.

Thanks for the response Peter. How would you suggest starting? Would other tags need adding?

You would need to have a trigger (such as an item code) and then an IF mailmerge field in the docx template that inserted a tab.
I can walk you through it if you book a live remote Xero support session with me (I recommend 30 minutes).
I can walk you through it if you book a live remote Xero support session with me (I recommend 30 minutes).

No Subtotals? I'm absolutely astonished how this could be. I quote and invoice daily on a national basis. We recently moved from MYOB to Xero because MYOB was old and archaic. But guess what, old MYOB has subtotals. It is important for both quotes and invoices, and I can't understand how this could be so difficult to put in and why Xero would not do anything to fix the problem when clearly everyone wants the option. Oh wait I know, they want you to buy Ad Ons!! The reason is financial and they are trying to screw us. The response I revived from Xero was to simply purchase an ad on OR make a vote here! I've got an idea, listen to your customers and put in the most basic requirement in an accounting software system. Shame on you Xero, shame on you.
We will be closing our account soon and moving to someone who does have subtotals. We have only just made the change recently so it won't have too much of and affect.
Also on a side note, why would you have a "Title" and "Summary" sections at the top of the quote, allow you to spend precious time filling in crucial Client/Project information and details, only to delete it automatically when changing into an invoice. This seems ridiculous. Can someone explain this to me?
Xero has some good sides to it but then at the same time leaves out basic necessities. I'm dumbfounded.
We will be closing our account soon and moving to someone who does have subtotals. We have only just made the change recently so it won't have too much of and affect.
Also on a side note, why would you have a "Title" and "Summary" sections at the top of the quote, allow you to spend precious time filling in crucial Client/Project information and details, only to delete it automatically when changing into an invoice. This seems ridiculous. Can someone explain this to me?
Xero has some good sides to it but then at the same time leaves out basic necessities. I'm dumbfounded.

Ryan can you take a look at my last update? As I said it's definitely on our radar, and we're looking into it as an iteration to the new invoicing screens we're planning at the moment. Add-ons/Apps haven't impacted the development/non-development of this!
Also, Quotes and Purchase Orders were created after Invoices - so they have more functionality that isn't yet available. This is definitely something we're looking at too.
Also, Quotes and Purchase Orders were created after Invoices - so they have more functionality that isn't yet available. This is definitely something we're looking at too.

Hi Brittany
Thank you for your response. That's good news Xero is looking into it. But only for the Invoicing screen? Again, subtotal a is the most basic requirement in both invoicing and quotes. Will Xero be looking into including it in the quoting screen also? It is a crucial requirement for our company.
Thank you for your response. That's good news Xero is looking into it. But only for the Invoicing screen? Again, subtotal a is the most basic requirement in both invoicing and quotes. Will Xero be looking into including it in the quoting screen also? It is a crucial requirement for our company.

No, Still no progress, still working in archaic style adding up our own subtotals for quotes. :/ Come on Xero.........

Sub totals and part payment on the online invoices are a must. Feeling rather annoyed that I have moved from a more sophisticated program (quickbooks) on my accountants recommendation, and these two features which we use heaps are not available.

Merged: Subtotals in Invoice Template
Hi everyone,
I have a new client who needs to invoice showing Subtotals. The entire invoice might cover, for example, work at 3 sites. Each site will have 3 lines (usually) - description, labour 1, labour 2. I'm fine with those three lines and can customise the invoice generally but cannot see how to create subtotals for each site?
All ideas and input appreciated!
There is no flexibility on layout here as my client's contract is with Energex and they are super strict on layouts, sigh.
Cheers
Tania
Hi everyone,
I have a new client who needs to invoice showing Subtotals. The entire invoice might cover, for example, work at 3 sites. Each site will have 3 lines (usually) - description, labour 1, labour 2. I'm fine with those three lines and can customise the invoice generally but cannot see how to create subtotals for each site?
All ideas and input appreciated!
There is no flexibility on layout here as my client's contract is with Energex and they are super strict on layouts, sigh.
Cheers
Tania

I see some people are offering "Template Creation" services in Xero - but guessing that even coding is not going to help this? ie can it be manually put into the code of the Template? Sorry I don't know enough about the templates - other than the basic customisation of the word doc templates for my clients.
Desperately looking for a solution before I have to admit to my client I moved her away from Myob and now she can't meet her Contract Agreement with her client. :(
Otherwise, does anyone know an affordable add on that I can investigate?
Desperately looking for a solution before I have to admit to my client I moved her away from Myob and now she can't meet her Contract Agreement with her client. :(
Otherwise, does anyone know an affordable add on that I can investigate?

After monitoring this forum for a while, truth is that XERO is just a low cost, low end solution for start up and medium sized companies.
Yes it works and yes, it does a half decent job however if it wants to compete with the corporate world, it will have to step it up several notches. Frankly, I don't think they can.
I think the company aims itself at the lower end/smaller business who are looking for a low cost solution that will do 80% of what they need.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but don't pretend you are competing with the real solutions like MYOB etc. They are in a totally different league. More expensive for sure but every company reaches a point where it is willing to spend on the solution that fits, not one to make do.
For me, I'm now investing in a real accounts system that's geared to the level of business I'm doing and that will grow with me.
Sub totals are basic needs.
Hirachy of user permissions is a must
Total flexibility in reporting is essential.
Xero - excellent to start up with. Not so good to expand and grow.
Yes it works and yes, it does a half decent job however if it wants to compete with the corporate world, it will have to step it up several notches. Frankly, I don't think they can.
I think the company aims itself at the lower end/smaller business who are looking for a low cost solution that will do 80% of what they need.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but don't pretend you are competing with the real solutions like MYOB etc. They are in a totally different league. More expensive for sure but every company reaches a point where it is willing to spend on the solution that fits, not one to make do.
For me, I'm now investing in a real accounts system that's geared to the level of business I'm doing and that will grow with me.
Sub totals are basic needs.
Hirachy of user permissions is a must
Total flexibility in reporting is essential.
Xero - excellent to start up with. Not so good to expand and grow.

Xero is not low cost. I am now paying more than twice as much as I was paying with intuit quickbooks (that was $25 per month) online, but I can no longer do subtotals.

I agree with Michelle, Xero is not low cost. As a bookkeeper I am having difficulty justifying the cost to new clients when basic invoice functionality such as sub totals, line spacing and formatting (BOLD or underlining important messages) is not there.
Other clients have no extra cost while I am using Reckon (Quickbooks/Intuit) on my desktop. Really want to carry on with Xero but this is frustrating how long this kind of fundamental work is taking.
Other clients have no extra cost while I am using Reckon (Quickbooks/Intuit) on my desktop. Really want to carry on with Xero but this is frustrating how long this kind of fundamental work is taking.

Im off - back to Sage.
I hav ebeing using a monumental fiddle to get subtotals which I am able to do because line items are fed from an inhouse program via csv to Xero. The coding requred simply to do this is as arge as the rest of the inhouse program put together plus an immensely complex doc template.
The whole thi summarises several poibt where XERO is so weak but has no plans to address weaknesses. I offer my process in case it helps anyone wth tehir own issue - but my advice must be dont fiddle it leave Xero - but here we arre.
1 line items held in In House Program (IHP)
2 Extract items prices from XERO ( Xero CANNOT lookup Xero hel prices)
3 Add prices into line items and calciulate line sums.
4 Group line items by required subtotals.
5 Sortline items into required Invoice Sequence including SUb grouping
5 In XERO we have a "dummy" line item called "SUBTOTAL" Plus SubTotal Group "HEAD" and TAIL"
6 IHP calculates SUBTOTAL line item for each group and enter Head and TAIl for each group
7Submit to XERO
8 Invoice format is by a complex malmerge template with lots of conditional statements
( eg if Item is HEAD do this and dont do that etcect )
9Tah Dah - a subtotalled invoice.
How did I do it in Sage - oh the IHP entered the line items and quantity plus if required for the most complex case a tailored comment which was used to guided subsetting
The prices held in Sage were looked up and applied by Sage. The standard report writer handled everything
Bye bye XERO as soon as we can shift teh books
I hav ebeing using a monumental fiddle to get subtotals which I am able to do because line items are fed from an inhouse program via csv to Xero. The coding requred simply to do this is as arge as the rest of the inhouse program put together plus an immensely complex doc template.
The whole thi summarises several poibt where XERO is so weak but has no plans to address weaknesses. I offer my process in case it helps anyone wth tehir own issue - but my advice must be dont fiddle it leave Xero - but here we arre.
1 line items held in In House Program (IHP)
2 Extract items prices from XERO ( Xero CANNOT lookup Xero hel prices)
3 Add prices into line items and calciulate line sums.
4 Group line items by required subtotals.
5 Sortline items into required Invoice Sequence including SUb grouping
5 In XERO we have a "dummy" line item called "SUBTOTAL" Plus SubTotal Group "HEAD" and TAIL"
6 IHP calculates SUBTOTAL line item for each group and enter Head and TAIl for each group
7Submit to XERO
8 Invoice format is by a complex malmerge template with lots of conditional statements
( eg if Item is HEAD do this and dont do that etcect )
9Tah Dah - a subtotalled invoice.
How did I do it in Sage - oh the IHP entered the line items and quantity plus if required for the most complex case a tailored comment which was used to guided subsetting
The prices held in Sage were looked up and applied by Sage. The standard report writer handled everything
Bye bye XERO as soon as we can shift teh books

this thread started 4 years ago and yet we wait for something so basic.
by the way Xero is not low cost! We weren't paying this much with MYOB.
and the Xero payroll system is not the best at all.. I don't understand how something so basic hasnt been implemented yet!!
Xero is just practical because you can access anyway thru the internet. but most companies are doing the same now so there are more options now..
by the way Xero is not low cost! We weren't paying this much with MYOB.
and the Xero payroll system is not the best at all.. I don't understand how something so basic hasnt been implemented yet!!
Xero is just practical because you can access anyway thru the internet. but most companies are doing the same now so there are more options now..

This one is a make or break one really, our invoices need to be broken into sections. At the moment we are having to use two programs! Quickbooks to make quotes on the go (you can quote on your mobile with their app) and add subtotals and then we are uploading the quote pdfs as attachments to Xero invoices!!

Hi Mark have you looked at Quotient. it a xero add on for Quoting and truly changed our business. its fantastic and links direct with Xero. it links contacts item numbers and descriptions as well as account codes.
As for sub totals i have given up... i just dont use them
As for sub totals i have given up... i just dont use them

Hi Xero Team,
We need an update on subtotal. I am loving Xero and hope it will improve further in the future. Thanks
We need an update on subtotal. I am loving Xero and hope it will improve further in the future. Thanks

Subtotals would be really really good, for quotes and invoices, we do work in very different areas for a job as well as labour and materials.

Yes please add this feature. It can't be that hard to do and would be very much appreciated! QB desktop did this...right!

First documented request June 2012, 55 months, that's not slow... goodness that's very slow and what is worse is the last official update July 2016 "work hasn't started", good grief Charlie Brown..

Xero are slow - for one VERY good reason - I gather that XERO as a company do NOT use XERO for their accounts .So their management dont have the grief from their products.
(Perhaps XERO would like to confirm or correct my statement )
And if they dont use it - perhaps they can tell us which product they use and prefer !
Myself I am just waiting for the year end so I can get back to sanity with boring old Sage
XERO is a WONDERUL half product - what a shame.
Its such a short list of jaw dropping deficiencies - all outstanding for years - no useable backup restore, no price lookup on csv entry, contact list stupidity, no subtotals ..
Most or all of their competition have these.
Good grief indeed
(Perhaps XERO would like to confirm or correct my statement )
And if they dont use it - perhaps they can tell us which product they use and prefer !
Myself I am just waiting for the year end so I can get back to sanity with boring old Sage
XERO is a WONDERUL half product - what a shame.
Its such a short list of jaw dropping deficiencies - all outstanding for years - no useable backup restore, no price lookup on csv entry, contact list stupidity, no subtotals ..
Most or all of their competition have these.
Good grief indeed

Hey again - wanted to pop my head in here, even though I don't have all that much to update you with! New Invoicing is going full steam ahead, and is progressing well considering how big a project it is.
The initial release is planned for midway this year - 2017 (all going well) and will include some much requested functionality. In regards to subtotals, not much has changed since my last update. They've not been scheduled into the initial releases, but it's still on our radar. I don't mean to be vague, but that's exactly where we're at atm. If, later on in the year, we're able to look into this you'll be the first to know.
The initial release is planned for midway this year - 2017 (all going well) and will include some much requested functionality. In regards to subtotals, not much has changed since my last update. They've not been scheduled into the initial releases, but it's still on our radar. I don't mean to be vague, but that's exactly where we're at atm. If, later on in the year, we're able to look into this you'll be the first to know.

Sorry this is a useless response and too slow. I can't believe an invoicing screen can be too complicated...? And still does not include sub totals??

I agree this is ridiculous - we will have to move to another accounting system if that's the case.

5 years of requests is not "on the radar" Brittany, so that kinda comes across as condescending.
If it's been on the radar for 5 years, do you really just mean you see us asking for it here but have paid zero attention to it otherwise? If it's actually on a Roadmap, there's clearly about 160 customers just in this thread that would love to know.
Time to start our migration back to Quickbooks.. ugh.
If it's been on the radar for 5 years, do you really just mean you see us asking for it here but have paid zero attention to it otherwise? If it's actually on a Roadmap, there's clearly about 160 customers just in this thread that would love to know.
Time to start our migration back to Quickbooks.. ugh.

Ok, so let's turn this thread into how to migrate to QB.
Xero, you're absurd and obtuse for thinking you're supporting your customers. And to find out you don't use your own product internally!!!
I should have listened to my book keeper.
Xero, you're absurd and obtuse for thinking you're supporting your customers. And to find out you don't use your own product internally!!!
I should have listened to my book keeper.

Seems a simple one, it's not happening. If you need sub-totals and it's a must have, you're going to have to use a different platform.
Xero, seriously, how many companies operate in a way that don't need subtotals. Simple functionality first guys, what the smeg are you running your prioirtisation criteria on? Some product owners self orgasm? It's certainly not user need,
Xero, seriously, how many companies operate in a way that don't need subtotals. Simple functionality first guys, what the smeg are you running your prioirtisation criteria on? Some product owners self orgasm? It's certainly not user need,

Brittany H. Your "on the radar" comment after 5 years of strong requests is both absurd and condescending. Clearly this is not going to happen. Why not just be honest and tell your clients that it's not happening and if they want a simple necessity such as subtotals then they will have to pay extra money for add ons? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Also your app could do with a complete overhaul. No quoting? If someone is out and needs to use the app. what is the most likely to be required, quoting or invoicing? The reviews reflects the Xero apps usability: 1/5
subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals
Also your app could do with a complete overhaul. No quoting? If someone is out and needs to use the app. what is the most likely to be required, quoting or invoicing? The reviews reflects the Xero apps usability: 1/5
subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals subtotals

As a book keeper using QB for many years I was reluctant to get on board with Xero initially as I saw that apart from anything else, the eventual monthly cost was going to be much higher than my services. However I was also willing to give it the benefit of the doubt (maybe I was simply being hidebound) so converted some of my clients over that I felt would be best suited to Xero - simple straightforward cash businesses that would appreciate being able to process multiple daily transactions easily. I imagined that Xero would continue to get better so I learned how to use it, become proficient, get around the issues, became certified. That was 4 years ago.
While I am not going to convert those "simple" clients back to QB, I haven't added any new customers for quite some time and I will not be converting the balance of my clients to Xero - partly this issue, partly the lack of flexibility in reporting compared to QB, partly the inability to produce a simple supplier statement.
Xero is OK but it has major flaws and one of the biggest is the inability to respond quickly enough around basic functionality issues like this.
While I am not going to convert those "simple" clients back to QB, I haven't added any new customers for quite some time and I will not be converting the balance of my clients to Xero - partly this issue, partly the lack of flexibility in reporting compared to QB, partly the inability to produce a simple supplier statement.
Xero is OK but it has major flaws and one of the biggest is the inability to respond quickly enough around basic functionality issues like this.

OMG quickbook you pay $10 a month web-based and inc subtotal on invoice where I pay $85 monthly for Xero couldn't add simple subtotal after 3-4 years of requesting. Shocking !!!

Yes, the only reason we moved from QB was at the request of our Accountant - am NOT impressed - apparently the Users of Xero - i.e their customers, who pay them , are not worth listening to ...............? Not good business practice (if you want business that is).
Where are the DIrectors of this company ?
Where are the DIrectors of this company ?

I also have a number of clients who really need the subtotal on their invoices
I can't believe this function request goes back to 2012 and still nothing has been done.
Does that tell you something Xero??!!
I can't believe this function request goes back to 2012 and still nothing has been done.
Does that tell you something Xero??!!

Just saw a new client today that requested this option and it's a deal breaker for them. As a bookkeeping firm we have had numerous requests from clients regarding this and kind of scary to read how long this has been going on for. It's one if the 1st soft wares if have seen that does not offer this option.

Just about to send a large quote out without subtotals.. it is such a pain having to do work arounds in excel etc. and the document isn't clear, come on Xero for goodness sake do something about this subtotal issue..5 years down the line and nothing.....Xero = zero attention on your part,

Merged: Ability to merge two invoice lines into one when invoicing customers
Hi,
It's currently not possible to merge two invoice lines into one when invoicing customers through Xero, even if using a Docx invoice template.
We would like this feature especially as we are using the tracking function and our reporting requires some revenue to be tracking against separate tracking codes. This is something the customer does not need to see.
Thank you!
Jay
Hi,
It's currently not possible to merge two invoice lines into one when invoicing customers through Xero, even if using a Docx invoice template.
We would like this feature especially as we are using the tracking function and our reporting requires some revenue to be tracking against separate tracking codes. This is something the customer does not need to see.
Thank you!
Jay

Hi Brittany,
please tell me with the invoice update that is happening. we will be able to apply discounts based on a dollar figure. Its pain not being able to discount by a certain figure and have to work out a percentage of that figure.
Cheers
Nick
please tell me with the invoice update that is happening. we will be able to apply discounts based on a dollar figure. Its pain not being able to discount by a certain figure and have to work out a percentage of that figure.
Cheers
Nick

5 years... don't hold your breathe.. they are even diluting the thread with other invoice issues..

Guys it might be time to look at competitors' functionality in this area. Xero no longer corners the market in cloud accounting. There are other options now and this basic function is probably already included. I know I'm going to start shopping around again.
Cheers
Jane
Cheers
Jane

Hi Jane
I would be interested to hear how you get along as agree it is ridiculous that this basic functionality has not been implemented by XERO. Would love to know if you find a better solution!
Cheers Andrew
I would be interested to hear how you get along as agree it is ridiculous that this basic functionality has not been implemented by XERO. Would love to know if you find a better solution!
Cheers Andrew

Our accountants want us on Xero but its lack of invoice subtotals says no.
We use QB2004. It works, costs nix, formats well (no messing with .docx), prints what's on screen. It has a fair GUI - we open multiple lists, documents, etc, and move between them without saving or losing work - like a desk.
We'd like to link our OpenCart shop to Xero. Most orders ship by courier. Couriers need Goods totals. QB lets us insert subtotals before freight. Xero says use a calculator!
We use several CAD packages, cloud and PC-based. Intricate, precise, powerful, amazing graphics and GUIs, they add functions in response to demand. Files are portable across systems. The cloud-based systems are cheap to use and don't lose data if you switch tasks. Our favoured desktop CAD costs €995 and that's it. They're user-friendly and we have fun, so the deficiency is not in our brains.
~150 posts seeking subtotals in 5 years, but how many see "not a priority" brush-offs and walk away? I nearly did.
We use QB2004. It works, costs nix, formats well (no messing with .docx), prints what's on screen. It has a fair GUI - we open multiple lists, documents, etc, and move between them without saving or losing work - like a desk.
We'd like to link our OpenCart shop to Xero. Most orders ship by courier. Couriers need Goods totals. QB lets us insert subtotals before freight. Xero says use a calculator!
We use several CAD packages, cloud and PC-based. Intricate, precise, powerful, amazing graphics and GUIs, they add functions in response to demand. Files are portable across systems. The cloud-based systems are cheap to use and don't lose data if you switch tasks. Our favoured desktop CAD costs €995 and that's it. They're user-friendly and we have fun, so the deficiency is not in our brains.
~150 posts seeking subtotals in 5 years, but how many see "not a priority" brush-offs and walk away? I nearly did.

We are now using quotient now as per someone very useful suggestion on this thread... I love quotient, however we have to pay $25 per month for it which is what we used to pay for quickbooks online that already had subtotals. Xero is twice as expensive as quickbooks so now we are paying 3x as much for less functionality. So coupled with the lack of ability to split a quote into partial payment invoices and the inability to have several invoices in one email to a client without having to download all the PDFs one by one to attach to a new email Xero is proving pretty frustrating for us. To be honest the only reason I am sticking with Xero is because my accountant uses it.

Yes, and there's the rub. The Xero business model seems to be unashamedly for accountants needs only. Screw the users, they just have to go along with what they're told. I guess it works, sign-up lots of accountants and they bring the customers with them. At some point though accountants will start to jump ship, burnt by constantly bad feedback from clients. Xero, seriously, look at your priorities again, put the users much, much, much higher. UX matters, accept that before you start to lose market share.

Quotient looks great and may have to be a stop gap solution while we look into other options. At another $40 per month (we have multiple users generating quotes) it is however an extra expense we could do without when this functionality should be in Xero itself. It is really disheartening that no one from Xero seems to pay attention to this thread or listen to user feedback. We left MYOB when they stopped listening and now it seems Xero are headed the same way.

Can we have subtotals and also subheadings too? And also - the feature requests don't have dates on them, so I am not sure when "later this year" applies - this year, or last year?

5th July 2017 Hey brilliant news everyone "following" this thread.. the dates seem to have disappeared from the posts so that you cannot see that it has been running for over 5 years now... call me a cynic but??

Would love to be able to add subtotals to invoices, As some customers require differing totals e.g Hours and Price but on different lines with subtotals.

Hi Murray et al, Xero's interest in this thread is Zero.. - Xero plus Zero = 0 hence no need for subtotals I guess

Please help us so we can ad sub totals to invoices.
If moved over from Excel to Xero and tit has helped us a lot, but invoicing and quoting clients on excel was a lot more user friendly.
Is their any other Sound and lighting companies using Xero ?
If moved over from Excel to Xero and tit has helped us a lot, but invoicing and quoting clients on excel was a lot more user friendly.
Is their any other Sound and lighting companies using Xero ?

Hi Altus, We have been asking for subtotals for over 5 years now.. I don't think support even monitors these responses anymore.. the dates dissappeared from the post a few months ago, call me synical but it means you cannot see how long its been running.. anyne agree??
Come on support, lots of good features, lots of events, but no responses..
Come on support, lots of good features, lots of events, but no responses..

Hi Altus Janse van Rensburg - we are a sound and lighting company using Xero, and yes, no subtotals is a pain in the back side.

We have also been asking for this feature ever since starting using Xero and we are no closer to having this functionality. We are now looking at other accounting packages as this is a major requirement.

Lets hope for the best. this would be so helpful i did send them example of what we did in excel so they have a very good template to work from

Please let's know how you go with finding another accounting package that HAS SUCH THINGS AS SUB-TOTALS ON INVOICES ........................AND ...........EVEN AN EMAIL LOG . WOW !!!!!!
I don't believe that xero is even working on these things at all - there's been plenty of time to have it up and running a thousand times - goodness me - perhaps they need some kiwi ingenuity.
Or, maybe there's no money left for programmers after they've paid their high flying directors....?
I don't believe that xero is even working on these things at all - there's been plenty of time to have it up and running a thousand times - goodness me - perhaps they need some kiwi ingenuity.
Or, maybe there's no money left for programmers after they've paid their high flying directors....?

Re Sound and Lighting Company
I highly recommend CURRENT RMS to run hire and sales. They implement changes to suit you in around 48hrs OMG I hear you say. It interfaces with XERO and keeps staff away from the numbers
I highly recommend CURRENT RMS to run hire and sales. They implement changes to suit you in around 48hrs OMG I hear you say. It interfaces with XERO and keeps staff away from the numbers

Good day @Noel
Thank you so much, do you perhaps have contact details and how it works ?
@Cynthia nice one, if the good deliver service as well as the All Black play rugby we will maybe see a change ? :-)
Thank you so much, do you perhaps have contact details and how it works ?
@Cynthia nice one, if the good deliver service as well as the All Black play rugby we will maybe see a change ? :-)

But, in response to Altus Janse van Rensburg:
Pigs will fly before Xero bother to solve the imaginary problem of enabling users to insert subtotal lines into invoices. For us that lack of essential functionality is the deal breaker. Users (the folk whose hard work earns the money that also pays for providers of accountancy software and services are surely the most important people in this game. Otherwise the tail is wagging the dog. Different businesses have many differing requirements and not to provide functions that users, as opposed to their accountants, need and what earlier software used to provide automatically is beyond dumb.
Pigs will fly before Xero bother to solve the imaginary problem of enabling users to insert subtotal lines into invoices. For us that lack of essential functionality is the deal breaker. Users (the folk whose hard work earns the money that also pays for providers of accountancy software and services are surely the most important people in this game. Otherwise the tail is wagging the dog. Different businesses have many differing requirements and not to provide functions that users, as opposed to their accountants, need and what earlier software used to provide automatically is beyond dumb.

I periodically message the Xero Facebook page,
"Hey Chris - thanks for checking in with us on this one. The product team regularly review all the feature requests received. Unfortunately we're unable to do everything on that list for a variety of different reasons. I'll certainly highlight it to them again for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Ashley."
"Hey Chris - thanks for checking in with us on this one. The product team regularly review all the feature requests received. Unfortunately we're unable to do everything on that list for a variety of different reasons. I'll certainly highlight it to them again for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Ashley."

Subtotals adding up previous lines to previous subtotal plus a tick box with options to hide previous line item pricing so that the subtotal is all the client can see...

Official Xero Reply
Hi everyone - I'm John from the invoicing team at Xero. With this massive project that's been in the works for some time, glad to say we're starting to see the end of the tunnel here.
We're currently in Sept 2017 & the midst of a closed beta, with the hope to release the initial new Invoicing functionality in a few months time.
As we mentioned earlier in the year - Subtotals isn't part of the first release, but we're committed to improving on new invoicing incrementally and subtotals will definitely be considered as one of these improvements.
We're currently in Sept 2017 & the midst of a closed beta, with the hope to release the initial new Invoicing functionality in a few months time.
As we mentioned earlier in the year - Subtotals isn't part of the first release, but we're committed to improving on new invoicing incrementally and subtotals will definitely be considered as one of these improvements.

So after five years and very little communication, the first release will be in a few months and won't include sub-totals? Correct?
This first release is likely to be at the 6yr mark and the actual release if it ever happens might be within 10 years . . or am I wrong..
This first release is likely to be at the 6yr mark and the actual release if it ever happens might be within 10 years . . or am I wrong..

Hi all I am new to xero, I have voted for this just now 12/9/17. I have noticed that comments don't have dates on them so how do I know how old a discussion topic is? (Don't want to go over old ground if problem is resolved). But yes first thing I noticed coming from myob was that there is no insert subtotal option. Seems crazy not to have it, how hard could it be, it's just a computed calculation.

Hi Chris H
The comments have been running for 5yrs plus; the dates dissappeared about a year ago, a cynical person might say so that we cannot see how long this issue has been running..
Chris
The comments have been running for 5yrs plus; the dates dissappeared about a year ago, a cynical person might say so that we cannot see how long this issue has been running..
Chris

I think it's more than cynical, it's fact. I think I have picked the wrong accounting system. 😒

Hi Chris & hi other Chris, John's come in here to be transparent about what's in the road map, and I completely understand why not getting this on the first pass through is frustrating. That being said, the negative comments aren't really on-topic for Invoices and Bills.
There's a thread here for more info on the recent changes to Community including the removal of the dates. Any feedback you have on the dates can go there to keep things in the threads on topic. To summarise quickly, dates give a false impression that old ideas haven't been considered - ie because something was requested in 2012 it's more relevant than something requested in 2017. Our teams (including John above) evaluate the comments in each thread when looking to updates. You can learn more about that process here. I hope that helps clear things up a bit.
There's a thread here for more info on the recent changes to Community including the removal of the dates. Any feedback you have on the dates can go there to keep things in the threads on topic. To summarise quickly, dates give a false impression that old ideas haven't been considered - ie because something was requested in 2012 it's more relevant than something requested in 2017. Our teams (including John above) evaluate the comments in each thread when looking to updates. You can learn more about that process here. I hope that helps clear things up a bit.

Nope it doesn't. Just want you to say when subtotal will be available with a firm date.

Subtotals are a MANDATORY component of any basic invoicing system. I'm a new XERO customer and the lack of this feature makes the invoicing function nearly useless for me.

Very very strange for an accounting software to omit this feature. Can't figure out why they don't see the importance of this.

Still waiting. Can Xero say why they cannot do this? It seems from the outside a simple addition, or is it not that simple?

We use Current RMS to manage our inventory and prepare quotes. Then we push the invoice to Xero. As many others have stated, the fact we can't subtotal our various types of rentals, labor, and expendables is impacting us negatively when sending clients' invoices. This should be a simple solution and is an imperative.

Hi Xero. Is there any update on this functionality of having subtotals within invoices

Happy New Year Xero... Is there any update on this functionality of having subtotals within invoices

Hi,
I would like to have a management fees 15% added as tax function after the subtotal
Eg.
Description Qty Unit Price Amount
Workmanship 1 3,000.00 3,000.00
Miscellaneous. 2 250.00 500.00
Subtotal 3,500.00
Management Fees 15% 525.00
GST 6% 241.50
Grand Total 4,266.50
It can be done where the GST 6% above the management fees. But I need it as after
Subtotal would be the Management Fees follow by GST 6%. Please advice how to go about it.Tqvm
I would like to have a management fees 15% added as tax function after the subtotal
Eg.
Description Qty Unit Price Amount
Workmanship 1 3,000.00 3,000.00
Miscellaneous. 2 250.00 500.00
Subtotal 3,500.00
Management Fees 15% 525.00
GST 6% 241.50
Grand Total 4,266.50
It can be done where the GST 6% above the management fees. But I need it as after
Subtotal would be the Management Fees follow by GST 6%. Please advice how to go about it.Tqvm

I am really looking forward to having a subtotals option within Xero. I found it to be a very useful in QBs and its one of the few things that I really miss about QBs.
But it won't be entirely useful unless it is available for Quotations too.
Thanks
But it won't be entirely useful unless it is available for Quotations too.
Thanks

I have said it before, and I'll say it again, Xero is not for us unless and until it provides for subtotals in invoices - just as QB did until it went on-line. And, as Jeff Yana says above, subtotals in Quotations is also desirable.
I can't comprehend why on-line CAD software can be so capable and its programmers keen to provide vastly challenging and mathematically complex functions to meet user needs while on-line accountancy is proud to deny its users what many want and regard as a basic necessity.
Come on, Xero, providing subtotals (as PC-based accountancy packages have long done) is hardly rocket science and there's no excuse for heel dragging
PS I could also whinge about document formatting - so easy in, say, QB2004 and so fiddly here
I can't comprehend why on-line CAD software can be so capable and its programmers keen to provide vastly challenging and mathematically complex functions to meet user needs while on-line accountancy is proud to deny its users what many want and regard as a basic necessity.
Come on, Xero, providing subtotals (as PC-based accountancy packages have long done) is hardly rocket science and there's no excuse for heel dragging
PS I could also whinge about document formatting - so easy in, say, QB2004 and so fiddly here

I agree - maybe things will change now there is a new CEO - here's hoping. That's what we have been doing now for years - HOPING - that is a great business strategy.

+1 for Carl's suggestion about document formatting. There have been times when I have needed/wanted to widen columns on quotes or invoices but lacked the ability to do so.
All-in-all I really enjoy using Xero and have no regrets about ditching QB (for Mac)!
All-in-all I really enjoy using Xero and have no regrets about ditching QB (for Mac)!

Mr. Scully, Sept 2017 plus a "couple months" has come and gone. What is current status of adding the invoicing subtotal feature??? Can't imagine what's more important out there besides the ability to generate revenue and cash flow in an efficient manner. Your customers seem to be speaking, but response doesn't seem adequate from what I've read on this topic. I realize everybody is busy, but maybe more frequent updates would benefit your customers.

We have now had to move billing platforms due to Xero not adding this functionality.

Have Xero still not sorted this. Ha, my 3 year old has better planning skills. Xero, aren’t you embarrassed and ashamed of yourself?

And....many months after the first requests & odfficial response ..... I also NEED subtotals on sales invoices, just as we are used to having in quickbooks. If they can do it, surely Xero should be able to as well. It's a basic need in itself for many businesses.
Can Xero please update last September's response to this item?
Can Xero please update last September's response to this item?

Yep - it's pretty disheartening that still nothing has happened. It is not like we are asking for a really unusual or rarely used feature. For many businesses the ability to use sub-totals on quotes and invoices is essential. Please Xero start listening to your subscribers...

Product functionality development over marketing, pls Xero.
More useful, less beautiful.
More useful, less beautiful.