What is Invoice Numbering?
Invoice Numbering is a global setting that teaches AffZero your invoice number format and keeps track of where you are in the sequence. Once configured, the {invoice_number_global} variable is generated automatically inside every Create Invoice step — no separate numbering step needed.
Go to Invoices → Invoice Numbering to set it up.
Global vs Local Sequences
AffZero supports two invoice numbering approaches. You can use both in the same automation.
| Global sequence | Local sequence |
|---|
| Variable name | {invoice_number_global} | {invoice_number_local} (default, customisable) |
| Configured in | Invoices → Invoice Numbering | Generate Invoice Number step |
| Scope | Shared across all automations | One automation only |
| When generated | Inside the Create Invoice step, when it runs | Inside the Generate Invoice Number step, when it runs |
| Available in panel | After a Create Invoice step | After a Generate Invoice Number step |
#00133 → #00134 → …).
Use a local sequence when a specific automation needs its own numbering that is independent from everything else — for example, a separate series for advertiser billing.
Why Global Instead of Per-Automation?
Previously, invoice numbering had to be configured inside each automation as a dedicated Generate Invoice Number step. This meant:
- Duplicating the same configuration across multiple automations
- Risk of two automations generating the same number if they ran at the same time
- No single place to see your current sequence position
The global sequence solves all of this. Configure it once under Invoices → Invoice Numbering, and every automation that runs a Create Invoice step picks up the next number automatically.
Step 1 — Enter examples
Paste 2–4 of your most recent invoice numbers. AffZero uses these to understand your format.
Examples by format:
| Your format | Paste examples like |
|---|
| Simple sequential | INV-045, INV-046, INV-047 |
| Year + sequence | INV-2026-001, INV-2026-002 |
| Year + zero-padded | 2026-0045, 2026-0046 |
| Custom prefix | ACME/2026/0010, ACME/2026/0011 |
Step 2 — Optional: Add a pattern description
Describe your numbering rules in plain English, especially for formats with year resets or unusual sequences:
Year followed by a 4-digit zero-padded sequence.
Resets to 0001 on January 1st each year.
Step 3 — Optional: Add a regex
If your invoice numbers must match a strict format, enter a regex the AI must satisfy:
Step 4 — Preview
Click Generate Preview to see what the next invoice number would be based on your examples. Verify it’s correct before saving.
Step 5 — Save
Click Save. AffZero stores your sequence configuration and pre-computes the next number.
How It Works at Runtime
When an automation runs a Create Invoice step, AffZero:
- Reads your saved sequence configuration
- Generates the next number in the series — deterministically for common patterns, or via AI for complex ones
- Injects it as
{invoice_number_global} into the automation’s variable context
- Updates the Last Used Number so the next Create Invoice run advances the sequence
{invoice_number_global} is then available in any step that comes after the Create Invoice step — Send Email, Condition Check, Write to Google Sheets, etc.
The sequence only advances when a Create Invoice step actually executes. Automations without a Create Invoice step (e.g. stats-only or email-only workflows) never consume a sequence number.
Updating After a Manual Invoice
If you manually created an invoice outside AffZero (or a run failed and you issued the number manually), update the sequence so it doesn’t repeat that number.
- Go to Invoices → Invoice Numbering
- Click Edit Last Used Number
- Enter the number you issued manually
- Click Save
The next Create Invoice run will generate the number after the one you entered.
Viewing the Current Sequence Position
The Invoice Numbering page shows:
- Last used number — the most recently issued invoice number
- Next number preview — what the next automated invoice number will be
- Your saved pattern examples and description
Using {invoice_number_global} in Automations
The variable is generated by the Create Invoice step — you don’t need to add a separate numbering step. Use {invoice_number_global} in any step that runs after Create Invoice:
- Create Invoice step filename:
Invoice_{affiliate_name_1_stats_1}_{invoice_number_global}
- Create Invoice template HTML:
<p>Invoice #: {invoice_number_global}</p>
- Send Email subject:
Invoice {invoice_number_global} for {affiliate_name_1_stats_1}
- Write to Google Sheets column
- Any other variable-consuming field
If you need a second invoice sequence (e.g. one for affiliates and one for advertisers), add a Generate Invoice Number step to the automation that needs it. That step writes its result to {invoice_number_local} (or a custom name you choose), completely independent from {invoice_number_global}.
AI Calls
For most invoice formats, AffZero uses a deterministic algorithm to compute the next number — no AI call required. AI is only used for complex or irregular patterns that cannot be predicted algorithmically.
Check your usage on Settings → Usage.
