How do I create an invoice in Canopy?
Create and send invoices in Canopy using services, time entries, expenses, and flexible layouts—whether you need detailed itemization or a single-line total.
Why this matters
Invoices are the final step where your firm’s work turns into revenue. Canopy lets you build invoices that reflect how your firm actually bills—combining services, time, and expenses while keeping records accurate and client-ready.
Table of Contents
Create an invoice from the Global Plus
Click the Global Plus (+) button.
Select Invoice.
Choose an invoice type:
Single Invoice
Recurring Invoice
Click Continue.
Tip: If you regularly invoice on a schedule, recurring invoices can save significant time.
Add client and invoice details
Select the Client you are billing.
Review or enter the Invoice number.
Canopy auto-numbers invoices sequentially by default.
Custom invoice numbers do not follow the automatic sequence.
Confirm the Invoice date.
You cannot select a future date.
Review or update Payment terms.
Defaults pull from Billing Settings but can be adjusted per invoice.
Review the Due date.
Automatically calculated based on invoice date and terms.
Add line items (services)
Line items represent the services you are billing for.
Begin typing a service name.
Services from your Billing Settings appear automatically.
(Optional) Add a description.
Enter:
Quantity (time or units)
Rate
Tax rate, if applicable
Review the automatically calculated total.
Click Add item to include additional services.
Tip: Use detailed descriptions when invoices may be reviewed by clients or auditors.
Associate time entries and expenses
If you have unbilled work for the client, you can attach it directly to the invoice.
Click + Add time and expenses.
Select the relevant time entries and/or expenses.
Use the Type column to filter:
Time entries only
Expenses only
Click Invoice Entries to add them to the invoice.
Apply credits and single-line invoices
Single-line invoice
Toggle Single Line Invoice to display only a description and total due.
Credits
Available client credits appear automatically.
Select which credits to apply and adjust the amount (up to the available balance).
Important considerations
Credits cannot exceed the invoice total.
Credits do not populate here if you use a QuickBooks Online integration.
Alternative payment adjustments
Refund and reprocess the payment.
Create a credit on the original invoice and apply it to the correct one.
Adjust invoice layout and settings
Before sending, review invoice presentation.
Click the gear icon at the top of the invoice.
Adjust:
Visible columns
Grouped or separated line items
Toggle Client Note to add a message.
Toggle Terms and Conditions to include them on the invoice.
Preview and send the invoice
Click Preview to review the final invoice.
Confirm accuracy and formatting.
Choose to:
Send
Save as draft
Download
Print
Click Send.
After sending:
Clients receive the invoice by email and in the client portal.
You can find the invoice under Billing > Invoices.
Create invoices from a client record
You can also create invoices directly from a client’s record.
Open the Client record.
Click the Billing tab.
Select Create Invoice.
Choose Single Invoice.
Enter invoice and payment details as needed.
This workflow is useful for recording payments processed outside of Canopy while keeping internal records accurate.
Do you need to add ACH information?
No—adding ACH information is optional when recording a previously received payment.
Required: Only if you plan to use ACH for future payments.
Not required: If you are simply recording historical payment activity.
Summary
Canopy invoices let you combine services, time, and expenses into flexible, professional billing documents. Whether you bill per project, hourly, or on a recurring schedule, invoices can be tailored to match your firm’s workflow while keeping records accurate and client-ready.
Need help?
Contact Support or ask Penny, our AI support bot, for assistance.