# Invalid Dates

<p class="doc-lead">A diagnostic report that flags transactions dated before a related (dependent) transaction they rely on — for example a delivery dated before its receipt. Use it to find and fix out-of-sequence document dates.</p>

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<p class="doc-toc-title">On this page</p>
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<a href="#/inventory/reports/invalid-dates?id=overview">Overview</a>
<a href="#/inventory/reports/invalid-dates?id=use-cases">Use Cases</a>
<a href="#/inventory/reports/invalid-dates?id=filters">Filters</a>
<a href="#/inventory/reports/invalid-dates?id=columns">Columns</a>
<a href="#/inventory/reports/invalid-dates?id=actions">Actions</a>
<a href="#/inventory/reports/invalid-dates?id=faq">FAQ</a>
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<h2 id="overview">Overview</h2>

Go to <b>Inventory → Inventory Reports → Invalid Dates</b>.

<p><b>What it shows.</b> One row per transaction whose date is earlier than the related transaction it depends on. Each row shows the transaction and its bill number and date, the dependent transaction and its bill number and date, and the date <b>Difference</b> between them. Click a bill number to open the document.</p>

<p><b>When to use it.</b> Use it as a data-quality check — out-of-sequence dates can distort the stock ledger and valuation (for example, a sale dated before the goods were received). Run it to locate and correct these entries.</p>

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<h2 id="use-cases">Use Cases</h2>

<ul>
<li><b>Inventory controller</b> — Which documents are dated before the transactions they depend on? Run for the period and review each row.</li>
<li><b>Finance</b> — Are out-of-sequence dates affecting valuation or period balances? Clear them before period close.</li>
<li><b>Store keeper</b> — Was a delivery dated before its receipt? Open both documents from the row and correct the date.</li>
<li><b>Support / implementation</b> — Are migrated or back-dated entries breaking date order? Use this to find them.</li>
</ul>

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<h2 id="filters">Filters</h2>

<b>Date</b> (date range).

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<h2 id="columns">Columns</h2>

| **Column** | **Description** |
|------------|-----------------|
| # | Row number. |
| Transaction | Type of the transaction being flagged. |
| ID | Reference of the transaction. |
| Bill No | Bill number of the transaction. Click to open the document. |
| Bill Date | Date of the transaction. |
| Dep Transaction | Type of the dependent (related) transaction it relies on. |
| Dep ID | Reference of the dependent transaction. |
| Dep Bill No | Bill number of the dependent transaction. Click to open the document. |
| Dep Date | Date of the dependent transaction. |
| Difference | The date gap between the transaction and its dependent transaction. |

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<h2 id="actions">Actions</h2>

<ul>
<li><b>Generate</b> — run the report for the selected period</li>
<li><b>Export</b> — export to Excel</li>
<li><b>Print</b> — print the report</li>
</ul>

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<h2 id="faq">FAQ</h2>

<p><b>What counts as an "invalid date"?</b><br>A transaction dated earlier than the related transaction it depends on — meaning it appears to have happened before something it actually relies on.</p>

<p><b>What does "Dep" stand for in the columns?</b><br>It is short for the dependent (related) transaction — the document the flagged transaction depends on.</p>

<p><b>How do I fix an invalid date?</b><br>Open both documents using the bill number links, check which date is wrong, and correct it so the dependent transaction comes first.</p>

<p><b>What does the Difference column show?</b><br>The size of the date gap between the two transactions, helping you prioritise the largest discrepancies.</p>

<p><b>Why does the date range fail validation?</b><br>This report allows a maximum range of about one month. Select dates within one month.</p>

<p><b>Which documents are checked?</b><br>Approved and closed receipt notes and delivery notes against related purchase invoices, sale invoices, credit notes, and debit notes.</p>

<p><b>Why is my report empty?</b><br>No date-order violations exist in the period — all dependent documents are dated correctly relative to their sources.</p>