A zero-balance invoice lets you document work performed without charging the client. This is commonly used to track credits, advance payments, or courtesy work while still maintaining a complete billing record.
Why this Matters
Zero-balance invoices help firms maintain accurate billing history and transparency—without manually removing or hiding completed work.
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Ways to Create a Zero-Balance Invoice
There are two primary ways to reduce an invoice total to $0.00 in Canopy:
Apply a write-up/write-down (WUWD) adjustment
Apply a 100% discount to one or more line items
The method you use depends on how the line items are billed and whether Auto WUWD is enabled.
Write Down Invoice Amounts Using WUWD
WUWD allows you to adjust the dollar amount of hourly-billed line items.
Heads up:
WUWD can only be applied to line items charged hourly. Line items billed as items cannot be adjusted using WUWD. Use the Discount field instead.
Steps
Open the invoice and click the three-dot menu, then select Edit.
In the WUWD column, enter the amount needed to reduce the invoice total to $0.00.
Example: If the invoice total is $350.00, enter -350.00.
Click Preview.
Select Send or Save.
Use Auto WUWD (Beta) to Zero Out an Invoice
Auto WUWD lets you apply a single WUWD adjustment at the invoice level, rather than adjusting each line item individually.
Important:
Auto WUWD is currently in Beta.
It must be enabled in Experimental Features.
Why use Auto WUWD?
Adjust the entire invoice total at once
Create zero-balance invoices without manually zeroing out each line item
Ideal for invoices with many hourly entries
Steps
Enable Auto WUWD in Experimental Features.
Open the invoice and click Edit.
In the Subtotal / Invoice Total section, enter a WUWD amount that brings the total to $0.00.
Review the preview and select Send or Save.
Heads up:
If WUWD is already applied to individual or grouped line items, applying Auto WUWD will override those adjustments. A notification will appear before the override occurs, and the global WUWD amount will be distributed proportionally across eligible line items.
Discount a Line Item to $0.00
Discounts can be used for both hourly and item-based line items.
Steps
Open the invoice and select Edit from the three-dot menu.
Scroll to the Discount column.
Choose a Percentage (%) or Dollar ($) discount.
Apply one of the following:
Percentage: Enter 100%
Dollar: Enter the amount needed to reduce the invoice total to $0.00
Example: If the total is $350.00, enter $350.00
Click Preview.
Select Send or Save.
Summary
Zero-balance invoices document work without charging the client.
WUWD can only be used on hourly-billed line items.
Discounts can be used on any line item type.
Auto WUWD (Beta) lets you zero out the entire invoice at once and overrides individual WUWD adjustments.
Need help?
Contact Support or ask Penny, our AI Knowledge Companion, for assistance.