# Item Group
Item Groups classify similar items together for filtering, reporting, and default settings. Groups can be nested with a parent group, and a default unit or item type set on the group is applied to new items created under it.
Overview & List View
Go to Inventory → Settings → Item Groups from the left menu.
Item Groups are master data. Create and edit them directly from the list — there is no Master Update workflow on this screen. The list is a hierarchical tree of item groups.
Use the Active and Suspended quick filters at the top of the list to switch between in-use and disabled groups.
List columns
| **Column** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| Id | Group record ID. |
| Name | Item group name. Nested under parent groups when hierarchy is used. |
| Parent Group | Parent group in the hierarchy. |
| Type | Default item type for items under this group. |
| Unit | Default unit of measure for items under this group. |
| Status | Active or Suspended. |
Quick filter tabs
| **Tab** | **Shows** |
|---------|-----------|
| Active | Active item groups (default). |
| Suspended | Suspended groups. |
List row actions
| **Action** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| View | Opens the group in read-only view. |
| Edit | Opens the edit form. |
| Delete | Removes the group when not referenced by items or sub-groups. |
| Suspend / Activate | Disables or re-enables the group (from the view screen). |
Quick Start
1. Navigate
Go to Inventory → Settings → Item Groups and click New.
2. Fill Basic
On the Basic section, enter a Name. Optionally set a Parent Group, Item Type, and Unit of Measurement.
3. (Optional) Auto Generate Item Code
On the Auto Generate Item Code section, set a Variant Code Segment if you use structured variant SKUs, and/or enable the group counter when Item Code Settings uses Item Group Counter.
4. Save
Click Save. The group becomes available when creating or editing items.
Fields
The New, Edit, and View screens are organised into two sections: Basic and Auto Generate Item Code.
Basic
| **Field** | **Description** |
|-----------|-----------------|
| Name * | Unique name for the group, shown on item records, filters, and reports. |
| Parent Group | Optional. Places this group under another to build a hierarchy (e.g. Raw Materials → Packaging). Only active groups can be selected as parent. |
| Item Type | Optional default item type applied to new items created under this group. |
| Unit of Measurement | Optional default unit. When set, items created under this group default to this unit. |
| Hide in print in sale transaction if foc | When enabled, items in this group are hidden on printed sale documents when supplied free of charge (FOC). |
Auto Generate Item Code
These fields work together with Item Code Settings to auto-generate item and variant codes for items in this group. They appear on New, Edit, and View.
| **Field** | **Description** |
|-----------|-----------------|
| Variant Code Segment | Optional. Used as the item-group part of the structured variant SKU code (its position is set by Item Group Code Order in Item Code Settings). Leave blank to build the SKU code from variant option values only. |
| Auto Generate Item Code By Counter | When enabled, parent item codes for items in this group are auto-generated as Prefix + running number + Suffix (e.g. FR100, FR101). Required when Item Code Settings uses the Item Group Counter method. |
| Counter Prefix | Text placed before the counter number, e.g. FR for Fruits gives FR100. Shown when the counter is enabled. |
| Counter Suffix | Optional text placed after the counter number. Shown when the counter is enabled. |
| Counter Start | The first counter number to use for this group. Each new item continues from the last used number (changing it later affects only future items). Shown when the counter is enabled. |
| Last Counter | Read-only on View. The last counter number issued for this group. |
Item Code Generation
Item groups can drive item codes in two ways, both controlled from Item Code Settings:
- Group counter (parent code) — When Item Code Settings uses Item Group Counter, the parent item code for items in this group is generated from this group's counter, e.g.
FR100, FR101 for Fruits. Enable Auto Generate Item Code By Counter and set the Prefix/Suffix/Start here.
- Structured variant code (SKU code) — When Item Code Settings has Enable Structured Code For Variant SKUs turned on, this group's Variant Code Segment is used as one part of each variant SKU code, combined with the variant option values (e.g.
SH-BLK-M).
If Item Code Settings uses Item Group Counter and an item is created under a group that does not have Auto Generate Item Code By Counter enabled, item creation is blocked. Enable the counter on the group first.
How It Works
- Item classification — Each item can belong to one item group. The group is used to organize items and to group results on reports.
- Hierarchy — A parent group lets you roll up sub-groups for filtering and reporting. A group cannot be set as its own parent.
- Defaults on new items — When a Unit of Measurement or Item Type is set on the group, it pre-fills automatically when you create an item under that group (still editable on the item).
Connected reports: Filter and group by item group on Stock Report, Item Wise Report, and other inventory, sales, and purchase reports where the item group filter is available.
Actions
List header: New
| **Action** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| View | Opens the group in read-only view |
| Edit | Opens the edit form |
| Delete | Removes the group when it is not referenced by items or sub-groups |
| Suspend / Activate | Disables or re-enables the group (from the view screen) |
Form buttons: Save / Update, Reset, Cancel
FAQ
Do I have to assign every item to a group?
Item Group is optional on an item, but assigning groups makes filtering and reporting much easier.
What does setting a Unit of Measurement on a group do?
It becomes the default unit for new items created under that group. You can still change the unit on the item.
Can a group be its own parent?
No. When editing a group, it is excluded from its own Parent Group list to prevent loops.
Why can't I delete a group?
Groups that are used by items or have sub-groups cannot be deleted. Suspend them instead to stop further use.
Are child groups included when I filter reports by group?
Yes. Selecting a parent item group in stock and movement reports typically includes items in child groups beneath it.
Does item group affect purchase tax or pricing?
Item group is used for reporting and defaults on new items. Purchase tax defaults may also key off item group where configured in Purchase Tax Config.
How do I make items in this group auto-number like FR100, FR101?
Set Generation Method to Item Group Counter in Item Code Settings, then enable Auto Generate Item Code By Counter on this group and set the Prefix (FR) and Counter Start (100).
What is Variant Code Segment used for?
It is the item-group part of the structured variant SKU code, used only when Enable Structured Code For Variant SKUs is on in Item Code Settings. It is optional.
Why was I blocked from creating an item with this group?
Item Code Settings is using Item Group Counter, but this group does not have Auto Generate Item Code By Counter enabled. Enable it here, or switch the parent method to Number Settings Counter.