Variants define the attributes an item can vary by — such as Size or Colour — along with the options under each (Small, Medium, Large; Red, Blue). Once created, these options can be selected and combined when setting up an item with variants.
Go to Inventory → Settings → Variants from the left menu.
Variants are master data. A variant (e.g. Size) holds a list of options (e.g. S, M, L). After creating variants here, you enable variants on an item and pick the relevant options and combinations.
List columns
| **Column** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| Id | Variant record ID. |
| Name | Variant attribute name (e.g. Size, Colour). |
| Status | Active or Suspended. |
Quick filter tabs
| **Tab** | **Shows** |
|---------|-----------|
| Active | Active variants (default). |
| Suspended | Suspended variants. |
Advanced filters
| **Filter** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| Name | Filter by variant name. |
| Status | Active or Suspended. |
| Created Date | Date the variant was created. |
List row actions
| **Action** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| View | Opens read-only variant details. |
| Edit | Opens the edit form. |
| Delete | Removes the variant when not referenced. |
Quick Start
1. Navigate
Go to Inventory → Settings → Variants and click New.
2. Name the variant
Enter a Name for the attribute (e.g. Size, Colour).
3. Add options
In the Options table, add a row for each option with its Option name and an optional Abbreviation.
4. Save
Click Save. The variant and its options are now available when creating items with variants.
Fields
Basic
| **Field** | **Description** |
|-----------|-----------------|
| Name * | Unique name of the variant attribute (e.g. Size, Colour). |
Options
A table of the options available under this variant. Add one row per option.
| **Column** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| Option | The option value (e.g. Small, Red). |
| Abbreviation | Optional short form used where space is limited (e.g. S, R). |
How It Works
Reusable attributes — Variants and their options are defined once here and reused across items.
Item setup — When an item uses variants, you select which variant options apply; the system generates the option combinations for that item.
Variant on lines — Item variants can appear on transaction item lines and labels when the corresponding inventory feature is enabled. See Inventory Settings.
Sale line description — When Append variant details to bill description is enabled in Sale Settings, selecting a variant on a sale line appends Variant label : Option name pairs under the item bill description. The option Name is used for those values.
Scan / type variant code — On sale (and other) item lines, entering a variant item code or barcode in the Item field selects both the parent item and that variant.
Variant price — Selecting a variant fills the line rate from that variant's own price (sale price on sale documents, cost price on purchase documents) instead of the parent item's price. This also applies when the variant is picked by scanning its item code or barcode. A rate you type in by hand is kept — changing quantity or unit on a saved line no longer resets it back to the default.
Actions
List header:New
| **Action** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| View | Opens the variant in read-only view |
| Edit | Opens the edit form to change the name or options |
| Delete | Removes the variant when it is not in use |
| Suspend / Activate | Disables or re-enables the variant (from the view screen) |
Form buttons:Save / Update, Reset, Cancel
FAQ
What is the difference between a variant and an option?
A variant is the attribute (e.g. Size). Options are the values under it (e.g. S, M, L). One variant has many options.
Where do I use these on an item?
Enable variants on the item, then pick the variant options that apply. The item then carries those variant combinations.
What is the Abbreviation used for?
It is a short form for the option, useful on item codes, labels, and compact displays. Sale line description appends use the option Name, not the abbreviation.
Why don't variant details appear under the bill description on a sale invoice?
Enable Append variant details to bill description in Sale Settings → Invoice Fields & Data Points, and ensure the line has a variant selected.
Can I pick an item by scanning the variant SKU code?
Yes. Type or scan the variant item code (or barcode) in the Item field on a sale line — both the parent item and that variant are selected.
Which price is used when I pick a variant?
The variant's own price — the variant sale price on sale documents and the variant cost price on purchase documents. If a variant has no price of its own, the line falls back to the normal pricing rules for the item.
Why did my manually entered rate change when I edited quantity earlier?
It no longer does. On a saved bill line, a rate you typed in by hand stays put when you change quantity or unit — it is not overwritten by the default variant price.
Must I enable variants on the item?
Yes. Tick Has Variants on the item and select variant options — variants are a line dimension on receipts, deliveries, transfers, and adjustments.
Can I suspend a variant instead of deleting?
Yes. Suspend unused variants so they cannot be selected on new items while history is preserved.