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How to create a sequential invoice number in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Data cleaning & shapingExcel & Google Sheets
="INV-"&TEXT(ROW()-1,"0000")✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Invoice_Num | Client | Amount |
| Acme Corp | 1200 | |
| Beta LLC | 800 | |
| Gamma Inc | 2400 |
="INV-"&TEXT(ROW()-1,"0000")→INV-0000
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Step by step
- 1Start your invoice table in row 2 with headers in row 1 (e.g., Invoice#, Date, Client, Amount).
- 2In cell A2, enter ="INV-"&TEXT(ROW()-1,"0000") — this produces INV-0001 in row 2, INV-0002 in row 3, and so on.
- 3Copy the formula down for as many invoice rows as you need.
- 4To start from a number other than 1, adjust the formula: ="INV-"&TEXT(ROW()-1+500,"0000") starts at INV-0501.
Tips
- Once your invoice numbers are set, copy the entire column and paste as Values Only so the numbers remain fixed even if rows are moved or inserted above.
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
Frequently asked
How do I include the year in the invoice number?
Use ="INV-"&YEAR(TODAY())&"-"&TEXT(ROW()-1,"0000") to produce INV-2026-0001 style numbers.
Will invoice numbers change if I insert a row above?
Yes — ROW()-based numbers shift when rows are inserted. To prevent this, paste the formula results as static values after generating them.
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