Product types vary depending on your business, and one of them is the variable product. In this article, you’ll learn the steps to add it to the platform.
What is a Variable Product?
It’s a product available with multiple options, such as color, size, or scent. For example, plastic cups with different sizes or perfumes with different scents. Each type has a different SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). A variable product can be sold by piece, weight, or in packs, and it can also be tracked by batch number or serial number.
Key Definitions
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): A unique product code made of numbers or letters, not repeated for another product. You can add it according to your cataloging system or generate it from the platform.
Barcode: A set of numbers that distinguish products from each other.
Pack Product: A product sold in pieces and cartons.
Weighted Product: A product sold by weight.
Batch-Tracked Product: A product with an expiration date, such as medicines.
Serial-Tracked Product: A product with a unique serial number that cannot be repeated for another product, such as electronics and mobile phones.
Initial Cost: The amount paid to the supplier to purchase or manufacture the product, used to calculate net income.
Initial Quantity: The available quantity you have for this product type.
Retail Price: The selling price of a single unit to the customer.
Wholesale Price: The selling price for bulk quantities, usually lower than retail.
Last Purchase Price: The most recent purchase price from the supplier, considered as the initial cost of the product.
Disable Stock Management: Used temporarily when the product is unavailable in stock, has no defined cost, or for intangible products such as services.
Steps to Add a Variable Product Manually
Step 1: Select the Product Type
Go to: Products & Inventory > Products > New Product.
Select product type: Variable Product.
Step 2: Add Main Information
Product name
Description (optional)
Product images (optional):
Click Browse Images.
Select one or multiple images to add to the platform.
If you add more than one image, mark (✔) the main image to display it on the cashier screen.
Step 3: Add Product Options and Variants
Add product options, such as color, size, or flavor.
Enter the option value, such as red, green, or blue.
Press ENTER on your keyboard after each option value.
⚠️ Note: Options and values cannot be deleted after the product is added to the platform. You can only add new ones.
To add additional details for each variant:
Click Add More Details.
Enable Extra Product Options if customers can select additional preferences or services, such as gift wrapping. To learn more about Extra Product Options, click here.
Step 4: Add Variant Data
The name and SKU for each variant will be generated automatically based on the product options and values. You can edit them if needed.
Barcode (optional)
Variant image (optional)
Step 5: Select Sub Product Type
Pack Product:
Mark (✔) the option These products are sold in packs.
Add the pack size.
The pack name and SKU will be generated automatically, but you can edit them if needed.
Batch-Tracked or Serial-Tracked Product:
Mark (✔) the option Track this product.
Select the tracking type.
⚠️ Note:
You must add the tracking option before saving the product data in the inventory system.
Tracked products are not currently supported for integration with eCommerce stores.
ℹ️ Tip: To learn how to add a tracked product, click here.
Step 6: Add Stock and Pricing Details
Mark (✔) the following options as needed:
Disable Stock Management: For services or products without quantities or costs.
Weighted Product: For products sold by weight.
Add the following data:
Initial quantity for each variant
ℹ️ Tip: You can add quantities later when creating purchase invoices.
Retail price
⚠️ Note: Set up your tax settings (tax inclusive or exclusive) before uploading products. To learn how, click here.
Wholesale price (if applicable)
Buy Price
Initial cost
⚠️ Note: Initial cost cannot be added or edited manually after saving the product.
Sales tax type
Step 7: Categorize the Product
Category: Select an existing category or click (+) to add a new one. To learn how to add categories, click here.
ℹ️ Tip: Categorization helps organize products in the sales screen and view sales by category through the Sales by Category report.
Supplier: Select an existing supplier or click (+) to add one. To learn how to add suppliers, click here.
ℹ️ Tip: Linking a supplier helps you track sales per supplier in reports and search by supplier name.
Brand: Select a brand or click (+) to add one.
ℹ️ Tip: Adding a brand helps track sales per brand in product reports.
Step 8: Add the Product to the Platform
Click Save. The product will be added directly to the Products section, and you can start selling it, issuing purchase invoices, and more.
FAQs
1. Will the product description appear on the sales invoice?
No, the description is part of the product data in inventory and does not appear on the sales invoice.
2. Can I assign an image for each variant?
Yes, you can. Click the image field next to each variant’s name, and select an image from the ones you previously uploaded. To learn more, click here.
3. Is there a limit to the number of variants I can add?
Yes, you can add up to 45 variants per product.
4. Can I disable stock management for a single variant?
No, disabling applies to all variants of the product.
5. Can I disable sales for a product?
Yes, remove the (✔) mark from the Sellable option under the variant’s name.
6. Can I disable purchases for a product?
Yes, remove the (✔) mark from the Purchasable option under the variant’s name.
7. Can I assign a different cost for each variant?
Yes, you can add a different cost for each variant.
8. Will the product name change when I switch the platform language to English?
No, product names will display as entered. You can enter both Arabic and English in the same field to display in both languages.
9. I entered the initial cost incorrectly. How can I fix it?
After saving the product, the initial cost cannot be edited manually or via Excel import. You must delete the product and add it again.
10. How can I update the product cost if the supplier price changes?
When you create a purchase invoice with the new price, the average cost will update automatically in the product data.
11. How do I print a product barcode?
After adding and saving the product, click Print Barcode. To learn more, click here.
12. Can I transfer stock for a variable product?
Yes, you can transfer stock by using the SKU of the variant you want to move to another location.
13. Can I delete a single variant of a variable product?
No, individual variants cannot be deleted. However, you can hide them by removing the (✔) mark next to the variant. The variant and its related fields will be hidden in stock and pricing details.