I have been making up invoices using Microsoft word for years, but they never looked professional and it was difficult allocating an invoice number to each invoice. I used to have an accounting package (think it was Sage) but I could never get to grips with it.

Yesterday I found this free program for making invoices and it is free for businesses with less than 5 employees http://www.nchsoftware.com/invoice/index.html

I can now make a professional looking invoice in seconds and save it as a PDF, there is also some accounting software and inventory software with the package, but I have not tried that yet!

Hopefully this might be useful for some members

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DIY | Donnas dream house

Another one that is really easy to use (not free though) is http://www.kashflow.com/.It is designed for noon accountants and has loads of features that are easy to use.I liked the quotes part which meant if you got the job you just tuned it into an invoice.It ccan also connect with the hmrc website and you can submit a vat return with a click or two.
Lots to it and simple to use was why i went with it, my accountant used it too as it was so good.

Blimey! It's only 700kb too! Shows what can be done if you program properly

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This post may contain nuts

looks like a good bit of kit, just set up a sample job did a quote and emailed it to myself and printed it off and the invoice was setup ready to print/send,

I know sage inside and out, it's the main package supposedly for small businesses but I think it's crap myself.

I've just set up access to do my invoices and keep track of my accounts. Initial setup of the database takes a couple of hours to get just right but I reckon it's the best way.

Just tried that NCH software, a very quick and simple way to fill out an invoice it and email. Can't believe how easy it is. I've always used OpenOffice for my paperwork, and a simple spreadsheet for accounting.

Off to have another play, thanks OP

No problem,

The pack I downloaded had express invoice, express accounts and some inventory software with it. Then yesterday I downloaded some completely different software that was zipped up in a JRE file and the computer unzipped it using software from NCH

I love software like that, which is free and works brilliantly. I checked out their prices and it is only £42 to buy the pro version of the invoice software so I'll probably buy it to support the company!

I have a few pieces of software on my computer that are freeware, but if they are good and do their job I often donate to the programmer/company if they accept such donations

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DIY | Donnas dream house

Have been succesfully palying with the accounts section. Seems very good, and much simpler than Sage etc, for the likes of me anyway

Like you, will probably buy the full version, thanks again

I actually just got a pop up message saying the software is due to expire

Looks like you have to pay for it after all

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DIY | Donnas dream house

Although it may actually be worth it imo

FWIW I like cashboard - great for creating estimates and invoices. Can track time spent, send invoices as PDF's, record payments etc etc

http://www.getcashboard.com/