> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heffl.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Invoices: creating, sending, and statuses Invoices are the bills you send clients to collect payment. They work much like quotations, with the same template, line item, and sending tools, but an invoice is a request for payment rather than an offer. This guide covers what is specific to invoices. You will find **Invoices** in the sidebar under Finance. *** ## Creating an invoice 1. Go to **Invoices** in the sidebar 2. Click **+ Invoice** (or press **C**) 3. Choose a template and fill in the details 4. Add line items 5. Save Invoice 1 *** ### Filling in the invoice The invoice form mirrors the quotation form, with a few invoice-specific fields: * **Template** and **Currency** * **Date** and **Due date**, when payment is expected * **Tags** and **Sales person** * **Client** and **Contact** * **Project** and **Job**, to link the invoice to work being delivered * **Subject** Add line items exactly as you do on a quote, using **Line item**, **Heading**, and **Bundle**, with Qty, Rate, Discount, and Tax. The **Subtotal**, **Discount**, **Tax**, and **Total** calculate automatically. See [Creating and sending quotations](https://docs.heffl.com/creating-and-sending-quotations) for the full line-item details, which are identical here. Two toggles are specific to invoices: * **I have received the payment**, to mark the invoice paid immediately if the client has already paid * **Payment schedule**, to split the invoice into scheduled installments *** ### Form and content views As with quotes, switch between **Form** (the structured data) and **Content** (the document layout) at the top right. The Content editor uses merge variables such as `{{Invoice.Number}}`, `{{Invoice.DueDate}}`, `{{Client.Name}}`, `{{Contact.Email}}`, and `{{Invoice.LineItems}}`. These fill in automatically with the invoice's real data when the document is generated, so your template stays reusable. *** ### Invoice statuses Each invoice carries a status you can see in the list and filter by: * **Draft**, created but not yet sent * **Sent**, delivered to the client and awaiting payment * **Paid**, payment received in full * **Overdue**, past the due date without full payment The list also shows useful columns: number, subject, date, client, **Amount**, **Amount Excl VAT**, and **Output VAT**, so you can see tax breakdowns at a glance. Your total count appears at the bottom (for example, "212 invoices"). To see a grand total, click **Calculate** next to Total in the toolbar. *** ### Sending an invoice Send an invoice the same way as a quote, from the buttons at the top of the invoice: * **Send via email** delivers it to the client * **Share a link** gives the client a link to view and pay online * **Print** opens the print dialog, where you can print or save as PDF * **Export PDF** downloads a PDF copy Sending an invoice updates its status to Sent. If the client pays online through a shared link or the portal, the payment can be recorded against it. See [Setting up the client portal](https://docs.heffl.com/setting-up-the-client-portal). *** ### Recording payment When a client pays, record it against the invoice so its status and balance update. An invoice shows its **Paid** amount and **Balance Due** so you always know what is outstanding. See [Payments: recording and collecting](https://docs.heffl.com/payments-recording-and-collecting). *** ### Exporting invoices To export your invoice list, use **Export PDF** in the top right of the Invoices page. For a single invoice, use Export PDF or Print from within the invoice. *** ### What to do next 1. [Record and collect payments](https://docs.heffl.com/payments-recording-and-collecting) against your invoices 2. Set up [recurring invoices](https://docs.heffl.com/recurring-invoices) for repeat billing 3. Review [proforma invoices](https://docs.heffl.com/proforma-invoices) for advance billing