How to Auto Generate Invoice Numbers in Airtable

You have a table of invoices and each record includes an invoice number. Right now the invoice number field is a number type, and you manually enter values like 001, 002, 003 for every new invoice.

You want Airtable to generate the next invoice number automatically whenever you create a new record, without typing anything yourself.

So the question is whether you can do this in Airtable using a formula, an automation, or a script. Is this possible?

Generate Invoice Numbers Automatically

Yes, you can do this in Airtable.

To achieve this, use the Auto Number field type. This field increases by 1 automatically every time a new record is created. It starts from 1 and keeps increasing as you add records.

Once that is set, create a formula field that converts the auto number into your preferred invoice format. You can use a formula like this:

"INV" & RIGHT(REPT("0", 3) & {Auto Number}, 3)

This will create values such as:
INV001
INV002
INV003

You no longer have to type invoice numbers manually. Airtable generates the entire sequence for you.

Starting From a Higher Number

You might already have around fifteen invoices in your base, such as INV025 through INV040, and you do not want the new auto number to restart from 1.

So can the auto number start from a different value instead of 1?

There is a behavior in Auto Number field that you can use as a workaround. If you have records with auto numbers 1, 2, and 3, and you delete record 2, the next record you create will still receive 4.

Airtable does not reuse deleted numbers. It always keeps counting upward. You can use this behavior to control your starting point.

If you want your next invoice to begin from a specific number, create temporary records ahead of time. For example, if your last existing invoice is 40 and you want the next one to start at 41, create 40 temporary records first.

Airtable will assign auto numbers up to 40. Then create one more record and it will receive 41. After that, delete the 40 temporary records.

Once this is done, every new invoice you add will continue from 41 onward and your existing sequence will remain intact.