> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paintscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paintscout.com/support/invoicing-and-payments/invoices/creating-invoices.md).
# Create and Send an Invoice
In PaintScout, invoices are created directly from estimates. You can create them manually or have them generated automatically when an estimate is accepted.
Depending on your settings, you can also create an invoice from scratch.
***
## How to Create an Invoice Manually
1. Open an estimate.
2. Click the dropdown next to **Send**.
3. Select **Create Invoice**.
4. PaintScout generates the invoice from the estimate.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Estimates and invoices are not live documents - after creation, changes made to an estimate will also have to be manually changed on the invoice and vice versa.
To reduce extra manual work, we recommend creating an invoice after an estimate has been accepted.
{% endhint %}
***
## Automatic Invoice Generation
PaintScout can automatically create an invoice when an estimate is accepted. This saves a step if you always invoice after acceptance.
To enable this:
1. Go to **Account Settings** > **Invoices**
2. Toggle on **Automatic Invoice Generation**
See [Invoice Settings](/support/customization/templates-and-presets/invoice-settings.md) for full details.
{% hint style="info" %}
When deposits are enabled, an invoice also generates automatically after the customer accepts and pays their deposit via credit card. The deposit is recorded on the invoice and the remaining balance is shown.
{% endhint %}
***
## What Carries Over from the Estimate
When you create an invoice, PaintScout copies the following from the estimate:
* **Contact information** — customer name, email, address
* **Accepted line items and areas** — all items the customer agreed to
* **Pricing** — totals, taxes, and discounts as calculated on the estimate
* **Options** — only customer-accepted options are included
* **Additional work** — any approved additional work items
***
## Send an Invoice
1. Open the invoice and click **Send**.
2. Write or review the email message.
3. Click **Send** to email the invoice to your customer.
## Related articles
* [Invoice Settings](/support/customization/templates-and-presets/invoice-settings.md) — Configure invoice due dates and automatic invoice generation.
* [Invoicing FAQ](/support/invoicing-and-payments/invoices/invoicing-faq.md) — Find answers about creating, editing, and managing invoices.
* [All Invoices Report](/support/dashboard-and-reports/reports/all-invoices-report.md) — Review invoice status, payments, and cash flow.
* [Outstanding Invoices Report](/support/dashboard-and-reports/reports/outstanding-invoices-report.md) — Monitor unpaid invoices and accounts receivable.
* [Archiving Estimates](/support/estimating/managing-estimates-and-work-orders/managing-estimates/archiving-an-estimate.md) — Remove estimates from your active list without deleting them.
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://help.paintscout.com/support/invoicing-and-payments/invoices/creating-invoices.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.