> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.boxhero.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.boxhero.io/docs/faq/inventory-and-transactions/stock-movements.md).

# Stock movements

***

#### **What's the difference between “Adjust Stock” and “Stock In/Out”?**

* Use <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock In`</mark> and <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock Out`</mark> to record real inventory movements — receiving from a supplier, fulfilling an order, shipping, or disposing of items.&#x20;
* Use <mark style="color:$primary;">`Adjust Stock`</mark> to correct discrepancies that aren't tied to a movement (e.g., damage, loss, theft, or a cycle count correction).

{% hint style="success" %}
Keeping these separate makes your transaction history easier to audit later.
{% endhint %}

#### **When should I use Inventory Transactions vs. Purchases & Sales?**

* Use <mark style="color:$primary;">`Transactions`</mark> for quick internal stock updates that don't need a document trail.
* Use <mark style="color:$primary;">`Purchases & Sales`</mark> when you need a purchase order, sales order, invoice, or pricing record tied to the movement.

<table><thead><tr><th width="150.77777099609375"></th><th width="290.14239501953125">Transactions</th><th>Purchases &#x26; Sales</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Workflow</strong></td><td>Update stock levels immediately by selecting an item and entering the quantity.</td><td>Create an order (<strong>P.O.</strong> or <strong>S.O.</strong>) first, then process it upon shipment or arrival.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Method</strong></td><td>Use <strong>Stock In</strong> for items entering inventory and <strong>Stock</strong> <strong>Out</strong> for items leaving inventory.</td><td>Link <strong>Stock In</strong> to purchase orders and <strong>Stock Out</strong> to sales orders for better tracking.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Purpose</strong></td><td>Manual stock adjustments and simple quantity levels.</td><td>Order management with real-time inventory updates.</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Can I record a transaction across multiple locations at once?**

Each <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock In`</mark> or <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock Out`</mark> transaction is tied to a *single* location. To transfer inventory between locations, use <mark style="color:$primary;">`Move Stock`</mark>. To stock the same item into multiple locations, create a separate transaction for each.

#### **Can I save a transaction without finalizing it?**

Yes. <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock In`</mark>, <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock Out`</mark>, and <mark style="color:$primary;">`Move Stock`</mark> support drafts. **Saved** **drafts** appear the next time you open a menu, so you can come back to finish, or process several drafts at once.

<figure><img src="/files/aZCKzNAk6T6jV2eV8HYW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Can I attach photos or files to a transaction?**

Yes. The **memo** **field** on every transaction supports file attachments (e.g., invoice copies, packing slips, damage photos, or signed receipts). You can also use **hashtags** in the memo to tag and later filter related transactions.

<figure><img src="/files/HILrLRyVt5xCxTBJBIyD" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **What happens if I try to take out more stock than I have?**

BoxHero will warn you that there isn't enough stock to complete the transaction. You can either cancel, or proceed and let the item go into negative inventory.

If your physical count differs from the system, use <mark style="color:$primary;">`Adjust Stock`</mark> to correct the quantity first, then record the <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock Out`</mark>.

<figure><img src="/files/ZulCKUWa6XHIQPhE2sQe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Can I use BoxHero as a warehouse management system (WMS)?**

BoxHero is an **inventory** **management** **system** — it's built to track what you have and where it is, rather than to run end-to-end warehouse fulfillment.&#x20;

BoxHero handles the stock side well: large numbers of SKUs with custom attributes, photos, and barcodes; purchase and sales orders with printed invoices; and stock tracked across multiple locations using <mark style="color:$primary;">`Move Stock`</mark> transactions.

What it doesn't include is a dedicated picking and packing workflow. You can record <mark style="color:$primary;">`Stock Out`</mark> transactions and scan barcodes as you fulfill orders, but there are no pick lists, wave picking, pack stations, or pick-and-pack workflows.