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

# Stock movements

> How to record stock coming in, going out, being adjusted, or moved between locations using BoxHero's inventory transactions.

---

#### What's the difference between "Adjust Stock" and "Stock In/Out"?

- Use `Stock In` and `Stock Out` to record real inventory movements — receiving from a supplier, fulfilling an order, shipping, or disposing of items.
- Use `Adjust Stock` to correct discrepancies that aren't tied to a movement (e.g., damage, loss, theft, or a cycle count correction).

> **Tip**
>
> Keeping these separate makes your transaction history easier to audit later.

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

- Use `Transactions` for quick internal stock updates that don't need a document trail.
- Use `Purchases & Sales` when you need a purchase order, sales order, invoice, or pricing record tied to the movement.

|  | Transactions | Purchases & Sales |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Workflow** | Update stock levels immediately by selecting an item and entering the quantity. | Create an order (**P.O.** or **S.O.**) first, then process it upon shipment or arrival. |
| **Method** | Use **Stock In** for items entering inventory and **Stock** **Out** for items leaving inventory. | Link **Stock In** to purchase orders and **Stock Out** to sales orders for better tracking. |
| **Purpose** | Manual stock adjustments and simple quantity levels. | Order management with real-time inventory updates. |

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

Each `Stock In` or `Stock Out` transaction is tied to a _single_ location. To transfer inventory between locations, use `Move Stock`. To stock the same item into multiple locations, create a separate transaction for each.

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

Yes. `Stock In`, `Stock Out`, and `Move Stock` 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.

![](https://assets.boxhero.io/docs/images/645ec5882270b447f6888f65059eb2f22ef070ce9880b9d3cac2a11b36920971-2800x1175.jpg)

#### 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.

![](https://assets.boxhero.io/docs/images/f0ce35667ea4ce568c717bf06ff39bbe442b36578edb8ed67f2094d70e16cf9d-2636x1574.jpg)

#### 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 `Adjust Stock` to correct the quantity first, then record the `Stock Out`.

![](https://assets.boxhero.io/docs/images/f3f59c524e1a58812d13f633300a48eda463bf074a797094f650bcf9481c7fdd-1416x846.png)

#### 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.

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 `Move Stock` transactions.

What it doesn't include is a dedicated picking and packing workflow. You can record `Stock Out` transactions and scan barcodes as you fulfill orders, but there are no pick lists, wave picking, pack stations, or pick-and-pack workflows.