Save data from Calc invoice template to separate sheet

[MrPav]

I have a spreadsheet which I’m using as an invoice template that I want to automate a little bit. I’ve built it as both an item and a service model as I do quite a variety of stuff and I think it would be prudent to have a method where I can keep an easy to follow history of my operations.

I haven’t had a full time job for near on a year now, so work-wise, I take what I can and when invoicing, I try to give invoices with details, which includes labour as a storyline where appropriate and parts or supplies as items within the same invoice.

What I’d like to do is have the invoice content saved to preferably a separate tab within the invoice template and increment the invoice numbers with each new invoice while saving changes to the invoice. What I’m looking for is how to get started with that by having common items such as invoice date, customer, terms, items, service descriptions and totals automatically saved to a database-like tab with my entire years history, but also retain the ability to edit as I go because some jobs can take a few weeks to finish.

I don’t know if I need to use formulas or some other method but I’m open to suggestions.

I’ve tried searching for the answers, but I think my search-fu is lacking because I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for.

[Hrbrgr]

I’ve tried searching for the answers, but I think my search-fu is lacking because I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for.

I suspect that your search engine cannot find anything because there are no search results.

What you are describing is predestined to create a database application.

You can e.g. work with base with integrated HSQLDB or Firbird (newer).

You can find the documentation of LibreOffice here:

https://documentation.libreoffice.org/en/english-documentation/

[MrPav]

Thank you for your response. I’m not running a business, I’m trying to supplement my pathetic income from my 15-hours a week part time, fixed term job that only covers my rent and that’s all it does. I have to find ways to pay for food and fuel which is ridiculously expensive where I live, so having a full fledged business kit is not what I’m looking for. I used something like this with in Excel97 from 1998 to 2001 and I think it used an invoice with data entry form fields and automatic increment invoice numbers that sent data to (I think) linked ranges, formulas and something else recording I can’t recall onto a sheet/tab as a database and it worked very well for what I needed it for.

I run purely Linux nowadays, Windows and office is out of my budget and I don’t understand the first thing about databases, so that’s an immediate go nowhere proposition.

Surely out current up to date Calc can do this and so much more with easy, but I can’t for the life of me get the process started.