How to Create an Invoice with Sage - Complete Guide

If you’re a UK business owner, you’ll deal with invoices of different types on a regular basis. Some of these will be quite simple, but it can still be difficult to know where to begin, and what to include on an invoice.

This is where accounting software comes in, helping you create professional-looking invoices quickly and easily. This should mean faster billing, less time spent on admin.

In this guide, we’ll run through how to create invoices with Sage - one of the UK’s most popular providers of accounting software. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including a step-by-step guide to creating Sage invoices.

Looking for an alternative? Check out Wise Business, which helps you send international invoices in multiple currencies, and integrates with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks and more.

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How does Sage invoicing work?

Sage offers invoicing tools through three of its accounting software solutions - Sage Accounting (for small businesses), Sage 50 Accounts (desktop software with cloud connectivity) and Sage Intacct (cloud accounting for larger businesses).¹

All three are enhanced with AI tools for more automation, streamlining and intuitive processes.

Invoicing with Sage offers the following features:¹

• Choice of professional templates, which you can customise with your logos and details
• Automatically send invoices via email, PDF or other electronic formats
• Flexible payment options
• Convert quotes to invoices in just a few clicks
• Track billable hours and expenses, and turn them into invoices quickly
• Automated payment reminders
• Actionable reports
• Seamless integration with your bank, other accounting systems and financial planning solutions
• Invoice in multiple currencies.

As Sage software is cloud-based, it means you can create, send and track invoices on the go using any logged-in device.

To get started with Sage invoicing, you’ll first need to sign up for a Sage accounting product. Pricing for Sage Accounting - the most suitable choice for smaller businesses - starts from £18 a month (plus VAT) and you can sign up online.²

How to create an invoice with Sage - step-by-step

Here’s how to create Sage sales invoices in just a few steps:³

1. Sign into Sage and head to ‘Sales’
2. Select ‘Sales invoices’
3. Select ‘New Invoice’ from the right-hand side
4. Choose your customer from the list, or select ‘Add new customer’ and add their details
5. Complete all the mandatory fields - these will be marked with an asterisk (*)
6. Customise your invoice (optional) - you can use the Customise menu at the bottom of the page to amend the template, style and logo, and set your document preferences
7. Add any attachments if needed
8. Select ‘Preview’ to see how your invoice looks - it’s a good idea to do this before sending, just to check that everything looks as it should and that there are no errors
9. ‘Save’ your invoice, or select ‘Save and Email’ to send to the customer right away.

How to import invoices to Sage?

It’s also possible to import external invoices from other accounting software into Sage. You can use a simple CSV template to do this, or contact Sage for personal support to help you do it.

Want a little more detail? Here’s how to import sales invoices into Sage 50 in a few steps:⁴

1. Check that you’re importing files in the right order - for example, you’ll need to import your Customer List before you can start importing sales invoices
2. Select ‘Import/Export’ from the ‘File’ menu
3. Select the program area and the template to use
4. Select ‘Import’ and tick the check boxes for the fields you’d like to include
5. Go to the ‘Options’ tab to set further preferences, such as specifying the filename
6. Click ‘Save’ to save the template - you’ll need to give it a name
7. Once you’re happy, select ‘Ok’ to start the import process.

How to set-up recurring invoices in Sage?

To set up recurring invoices in Sage Accounting, you can choose one of a few methods:⁵

1. Go to ‘Sales’ and then ‘Sales Invoices’, select the ‘Recurring Invoices’ and create a new one
2. Copy an existing invoice, selecting ‘Recur’ from the actions menu.

Bear in mind that the process for how to set up recurring invoices in Sage 50 may be a little different.

What information to include on an invoice?

It’s important to include all the required information on an invoice - some of which will need to be customised for each client/customer and order.

On every invoice you will need to include the following:

• Your business name and address, plus contact information
• Company registration number or tax number (if needed)
• Your business branding, such as your logo and letterhead.

The details that will change and will need to be updated on each invoice, are:

• Unique invoice number
• Customer name and address
• Summary description of goods and services (each on a separate line for clarity)
• Date of supply
• Date of invoice issue
• Quantity and price of goods or services, plus sub-totals, VAT or deductions, and the total amount to be paid
• Payment terms
• Instructions on preferred payment method(s), including your business bank account details or other remittance information
• Purchase order number.

Also make sure to check the HMRC invoice requirements to keep your invoices compliant.

Invoices need to be clear, professional and accurate, so it’s a good idea to use an invoicing tool and to check all invoices carefully before they are sent. It’s also good practice to send invoices promptly once goods or services have been provided, and to agree payment terms in advance.

Payment terms and payment methods

Payment terms for invoices should ideally be agreed on in advance, but you should also outline the key details on the invoice itself.

Make sure to include the due date, and any penalties for late payment. You should also outline accepted payment methods, which on Sage invoices include the following:⁶

• Bank transfer
• Card
• Stripe
• PayPal

Read more about how to write payment terms on invoices here.

Receive international payments with Wise Business

If you are invoicing customers overseas make sure to check Wise Business, a comprehensive multi-currency account that can help UK businesses to get paid by customers in multiple currencies, with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

Your Wise Business account comes with local account details (only with Wise Business Advanced) to get paid in 8+ major foreign currencies like Euros and US Dollars just as easily as you do in Pounds.

All you need to do is pass these account details (only with Wise Business Advanced) to your customer, or add them to invoices, and your customer can make a local payment in their preferred currency. You can also use the Wise request payment feature to make it even easier and quicker for customers to pay you.

Get started with Wise Business 🚀

FAQs - How to create an invoice with Sage

Can I customize invoice templates in Sage?

Yes, all templates for Sage invoices can be customised with your branding and logo, as well as with the details for the order.

Is it possible to apply discounts or taxes to invoices in Sage?

Yes, you can add discounts (either as an amount or a percentage) to invoices in Sage, and VAT is automatically included if you’ve set this up in your Sage account.

How do I send an invoice to a customer using Sage?

All you need to do once you’ve created an invoice in Sage Accounting is click ‘Send’. You’ll be given the choice to send it via email directly through Sage, or save it as a PDF to attach to an email later on.

Can I track the payment status of invoices in Sage?

Yes, on the Sales Invoices dashboard in Sage Accounting, you’ll be able to see the payment status of all invoices. They’ll be clearly marked as green (fully paid), light orange (partially paid) or dark orange (overdue).⁷

What happens if I need to amend an invoice after it's been issued in Sage?

Some invoices can’t be amended, such as those that have been reconciled or included in a VAT return. For others, you may be able to edit them in the Sales Invoices section of your Sage dashboard. Otherwise, you’ll need to cancel/void the invoice and re-issue it.⁸

After reading this, you should have all the info you need to get started with Sage invoices. It’s pretty quick and easy to create and send invoices, but it’s always worth taking your time and checking the details carefully if it’s your first time using the software.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 29-Jul-2025

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.