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How to Set a Different Invoice Number Prefix for Each Template

You can now give each invoice template its own number prefix, so every invoice type in your store carries the exact numbering style you need. Create separate templates for orders, draft orders, and credit notes (coming soon), assign a unique prefix to each one, and set it as the default for that invoice type. For example, your order invoices might use INV, your draft order quotes might use QUO-, and your credit notes might use CN- — each type gets its own independent numbering, with no manual work once it's set up.

The prefix lives on the template itself, so the number a customer sees comes from whichever template prints the invoice. That means you set it once per template and it applies to every invoice generated with that template.

Set a Prefix on a Template

The Invoice number prefix field is part of each template's Order information settings.

Open the Invoice Falcon app from your Shopify Admin.
Go to Templates in the left navigation.
Open the template you want to edit (click the template, or Edit on its row).
Click "Open visual editor" in the visual editor section
On the left, scroll to the Order information section and then click into it.
Make sure the Invoice number checkbox is enabled. The Invoice number prefix field appears directly below it.
Enter your prefix (up to 15 characters) — for example, INV, QUO-, or CN-.
Click Save changes in the top bar.

Note: The Invoice number prefix field only shows when Invoice number is enabled. If you don't see the field, turn the Invoice number checkbox on first.

The default prefix is INV. The prefix is prepended to the invoice number — so a prefix of INV produces INV1234, and QUO- produces QUO-1234.

Preview Before You Save

As you type, the live preview on the right updates to show exactly how the number will appear on the printed invoice. Check it there before saving so you can confirm the spacing and separators (for example, whether you want INV1234 or INV-1234) look the way you want.

Use a Different Prefix for Each Invoice Type

To give orders, draft orders, and credit notes (coming soon) their own numbering, create a separate template for each type and set it as the default for that type:

Create or open a template for the invoice type you want.
Set its Invoice number prefix in the Order information section (above).
In General settings, use Default for to set the template as the default for Orders or Draft orders.
Click Save.

From then on, every invoice generated for that type automatically uses the matching template — and therefore the correct prefix — keeping your numbering clear and organised across all your workflows. For more on defaults, see How to Rename Invoice Templates and Set Default Templates.

Note: Only one template can be the default per type — one for Orders and one for Draft orders. Assigning a new default replaces the previous one for that type.

How the Prefix Is Applied

The prefix comes from the template used to print the invoice, not from a single store-wide setting. If you print the same order with a different template, the displayed number takes that template's prefix instead.
The number is always rebuilt from the underlying order number, so reprinting with another template swaps the prefix cleanly — it never stacks prefixes like QUO-INV1234.
If you've manually edited an invoice's number, that custom number is left untouched and the template prefix is not applied to it.

Known Limitations

Each template has one prefix; to use a different prefix you need a different template.
Prefixes are limited to 15 characters.
Credit note prefixes are coming soon; for now you can set prefixes for order and draft order templates.
The prefix is added in front of the existing number — it doesn't change the underlying numbering sequence itself.
Only one template can be the default for Orders, and one for Draft orders, so each type follows a single prefix automatically.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Cause	Solution
The Invoice number prefix field isn't showing	The Invoice number checkbox is off	Enable Invoice number in the Order information section; the field appears below it
The prefix isn't on my invoices	Changes weren't saved, or a different template printed the invoice	Click Save after editing, and confirm the template with the prefix is the default for that invoice type
An invoice shows a different prefix than expected	It was printed with another template	Set the intended template as the Default for that order type, or pick it when printing
The number wasn't updated by the prefix	That invoice number was manually edited	Manually edited numbers are kept as-is; clear the custom number if you want the template prefix to apply
My prefix got cut off	The prefix exceeds 15 characters	Shorten it to 15 characters or fewer

FAQs

Q: What's the default prefix?
A: INV. You can change it to anything up to 15 characters, or clear it if you don't want a prefix.

Q: Can I use a separator like a dash or space?
A: Yes. The prefix is added exactly as you type it, so QUO- gives QUO-1234 and INV adds a trailing space. Use the live preview to check the result before saving.

Q: Can one template have different prefixes for orders and draft orders?
A: No. Each template has a single prefix. To use different prefixes, create a separate template for each invoice type and set each as the default for its type.

Q: If I change a template's prefix, do my old invoices change?
A: The prefix is applied from the template at print time, so reprinting an order with that template reflects the new prefix. Invoices you've manually given a custom number are not affected.

Q: Can I set a prefix for credit notes?
A: Credit note prefixes are coming soon. Order and draft order templates support prefixes today.

Q: Does the prefix change my invoice numbering sequence?
A: No. It only adds text in front of the number — the sequence behind it stays the same.

Updated on: 23/06/2026

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