---
title: "How can I use sequences?"
slug: "how-can-i-use-sequences"
updated: 2025-07-10T15:49:54Z
published: 2025-07-10T15:49:54Z
canonical: "help.frisbii.com/how-can-i-use-sequences"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.frisbii.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How can I use sequences?

## Compositions of sequences

Sequences are used to name invoices, credit notes and dunning notices.

You can compose this reference using the following elements:

- **Prefix**: an alphanumeric chain of characters that is displayed in the beginning of the sequence. You can use [year] or [month] as a placeholder for the current year/month. Or [refcode] for the reference code.
- **Count**: a system-generated sequence number, which displays the number of digits you define.
- **Suffix**: an alphanumeric chain of characters that is displayed in the end of the sequence. You can use [year] or [month] as a placeholder for the current year/month. Or [refcode] for the reference code.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:**
> 
> (1) You can create as many number sequences as you like to name invoices, credit notes and dunning notices as required.
> 
> (2) The sequence for invoices and credit notes must not be identical, otherwise conflicts may arise. For example, you can use prefixes such as "I" and "C" to distinguish the number ranges for invoices and credit notes.
> 
> 1. Go to Settings > Documents > **Sequences**.
> 2. Click on **Generate Sequence**.

[![](https://cdn.document360.io/b84e1b5d-2ba6-4465-8c62-fb45a2f31314/Images/Documentation/seq.png)](https://support.billwerk.com/hc/article_attachments/360026193059)

1. Enter a telling **Name** for internal distinction of the sequence and to find your sequence later to apply it to invoices or credit notes.
2. Select the **Type** *Document*. The Type *Contract* is to [assign a contract number to contracts](/frisbii-transform/docs/how-can-i-automatically-assign-a-contract-number-to-contracts).
3. Enter the current **Counter Value**. If you already started your invoicing in another tool, you can set the number of invoices accordingly starting with the next number you need.

> [!NOTE]
> **Important:** When this sequence is used, the next larger number will be used, not the one you enter here.

1. As explained above, set a **prefix** and/ or a **suffix** (last field on this page) if this corresponds to your business case.

> [!NOTE]
> **Reminder:** You need to add a distinction between invoices and credit notes, like INV for the first sequence and CN for the second sequence.

For annual invoicing, please use the placeholder [year], for monthly invoicing please set [year]or [month].

1. Then set the **Digit coun**t, which corresponds to the minimum number of digits.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**: If the counter value requires less digits, it will be padded with zeros to the left, e.g. 123 becomes 0123. If the counter requires more digits, this value is ignored.

8. Select the **Countertype** that matches your business needs.

- **Global** for ongoing invoicing. The counter continues from year to year, without being restarted at one point.
- **Yearly/Monthly** will reset the counter when a new year/month starts.

> [!NOTE]
> **Reminder**: Make sure you use [year] or [month] in the prefix or suffix to avoid duplicates when using the yearly/monthly mode.
> 
> - **Contract** increases only for each contract. Please ensure you use [refcode] in the prefix or suffix for this mode.

[![](https://cdn.document360.io/b84e1b5d-2ba6-4465-8c62-fb45a2f31314/Images/Documentation/seq-inv.png)](https://support.billwerk.com/hc/article_attachments/360026188040)

1. Finally, **save** your sequence.

The overview now shows all created sequences and their last assigned output.

[![](https://cdn.document360.io/b84e1b5d-2ba6-4465-8c62-fb45a2f31314/Images/Documentation/3(1).png)](https://support.billwerk.com/hc/article_attachments/360026188160)

## Apply the sequence to a template

Now select the sequence in the desired template.

### Invoices

1. Go to Settings > Documents > **Invoices**.
2. In the **Invoice PDF Template** tab, select your **Sequence** in the so called pick list.

[![](https://cdn.document360.io/b84e1b5d-2ba6-4465-8c62-fb45a2f31314/Images/Documentation/4.png)](https://support.billwerk.com/hc/article_attachments/360026193299)

### Credit Notes

1. Go to Settings > Documents > **Credit Notes**.
2. In the **Credit Note PDF Template** tab, select your **Sequence** in the so called pick list.

From now on, the sequences are automatically used as invoice numbers in invoices.

> [!NOTE]
> **Reminder**: Please note that the sequence for invoices and credit notes must not be identical, otherwise conflicts may arise.
> 
> For example, you can use prefixes such as "I" and "C" to distinguish the number ranges for invoices and credit notes.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/b84e1b5d-2ba6-4465-8c62-fb45a2f31314/Images/Documentation/in.png)