> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://support.haddock.app/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Product formats: what they are and how they help you order and inventory better > Product formats are being rolled out gradually. If your restaurant does not yet show the **Formats** tab or pending-purchase assignment tools, contact haddock to request access. A **product format** describes the presentation in which you buy, order, or inventory a product, such as a bottle, a box of 6 bottles, or a 5 kg bag. Each format is linked to the product's **Base unit** so haddock can convert its quantities to kg, l, or units. ## 📌 Contents - [How a format works](#how-a-format-works) - [Order and Inventory are independent](#order-and-inventory-are-independent) - [Supplierless formats and transferred products](#supplierless-formats-and-transferred-products) - [How the equivalence is applied](#how-the-equivalence-is-applied) - [Practical example](#practical-example) - [Best practices](#best-practices) - [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions) --- ## How a format works A product can have several formats, each with its own presentation and equivalence. For example: - **0.75 l bottle** = 0.75 l. - **Box of 6 bottles** = 6 bottles = 4.5 l. - **5 kg bag** = 5 kg. Defining formats lets you distinguish presentations of the same product and compare their quantities using a common measure. --- ## Order and Inventory are independent Each format has two options that you can turn on or off independently: - **Order**: the format can be used to order the product. - **Inventory**: the format can be selected when adding or counting the product in an inventory. A format can have both options enabled, only one, or neither. For example, you can turn off **Order** and keep **Inventory** on when you receive the product through a transfer and need to count it, but do not buy it directly at that location. Changing one option does not change the other. --- ## Supplierless formats and transferred products A format with **Inventory** enabled can be used in inventories even when: - it has no supplier; - its supplier is not linked to the current location; - the product arrived through a transfer from another location; - **Order** is disabled. This lets you inventory the presentation you actually received without creating another supplier or enabling it for orders. --- ## How the equivalence is applied When inventorying with a format, enter the number of packages or presentations you are counting. haddock applies the configured equivalence **once** to convert that quantity to the base unit. Do not convert the quantity manually before entering it. If one box equals 6 bottles and you count 3 boxes, record **3 boxes**: haddock will calculate 18 bottles. If you enter 18 while using the box format, the equivalence would be applied again and the result would be incorrect. --- ## Practical example Your location receives 3 boxes of wine through a transfer. Each box contains 6 bottles of 0.75 l, and there is no supplier linked at that location. Configure the **Box of 6 bottles** format as follows: - **Order**: off. - **Inventory**: on. - **Contains**: 6 bottles. - Each bottle contains 0.75 l. When counting 3 boxes, enter **3**. haddock applies the equivalence once and calculates 18 bottles, equal to 13.5 l. --- ## Best practices - Use clear names, such as **Box 6 bottles**, **Pack 24 units**, or **5 kg bag**. - Review the equivalence before using a format in inventories or orders. - Enable **Order** and **Inventory** according to how each presentation is actually used. - Do not duplicate formats just because the supplier changes. - In an inventory, enter the quantity of the selected format, not an already converted quantity. To create or change these options, read [How to create and review a product's formats](https://support.haddock.app/en/article/how-to-create-and-review-a-products-formats-1scg2u8/). --- ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I inventory a format that cannot be ordered? Yes. Enable **Inventory** and disable **Order** for that format. ### Do I need to link a supplier before inventorying it? No. When **Inventory** is enabled, the format can be used without a supplier or with a supplier from another location. ### What quantity should I enter when counting a box? Enter the number of boxes. haddock will apply the configured equivalence once to calculate the quantity in the base unit. ### Does disabling Inventory remove a product from previous inventories? No. It prevents the format from being selected for new additions, but it does not delete records already saved in existing inventories.