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.


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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.



Frequently asked questions


Can I inventory a format that cannot be ordered?


Yes. Enable Inventory and disable Order for that format.



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.

Updated on: 06/08/2026

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