How to Generate an e-Invoice in TallyPrime: Setup, IRN and Common Errors

Generating an e-Invoice from TallyPrime can reduce manual data entry and help you receive the Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and QR code for eligible transactions. This guide covers the one-time setup, invoice generation, verification, cancellation and common errors.

Version note: This guide is written for TallyPrime Release 7.1. Menu names and options can vary slightly in other releases. GST and e-Invoice applicability depends on the latest government rules, so confirm eligibility with your tax adviser.

Before you begin

• Use an active TallyPrime subscription and a company with correct GST details.
• Register the business on the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP).
• Create an API user profile on the IRP and select Tally (India) Private Limited as the GSP.
• Keep the IRP login details available for the first exchange from TallyPrime.
• Verify the GSTIN, party GSTIN, place of supply, HSN/SAC, tax rate, invoice number and item details.

Step 1: Enable e-Invoicing in TallyPrime

1. Open the company in TallyPrime.
2. Press F11 to open Company Features and set Enable Goods and Services Tax (GST) to Yes.
3. Open the relevant GST registration and set e-Invoicing applicable to Yes.
4. Enter the applicability date and the invoice bill-from place.
5. Press Ctrl+A to save the company GST settings.

If you use multiple GST registrations, select the correct registration before enabling e-Invoicing. Do not enable the setting in a test company and assume that it has been enabled in every company.

Step 2: Record a sales invoice

1. Open Alt+G (Go To) > Create Voucher > Sales, or open the Sales voucher from the Gateway of Tally.
2. Select the party ledger and sales ledger.
3. Enter the stock items or service details, quantity, rate, discount and GST ledgers.
4. Set Provide e-Invoice details to Yes.
5. Check the Bill-to and Ship-to details. If the shipping address is different, enter the required consignee details and Ship-to GSTIN/UIN.
6. Press Ctrl+A to save the e-Invoice details and then save the voucher.

Important invoice-number check: Avoid starting invoice numbers with zero, a slash or a hyphen because the IRP can reject them.

Step 3: Generate the IRN from TallyPrime

1. After saving the voucher, confirm that you want to generate the e-Invoice.
2. Enter the IRP login details when TallyPrime asks for them.
3. Press Enter to exchange the invoice details with the portal.
4. Wait for the exchange result. A successful response provides the IRN and QR code details.
5. Print or share the invoice after checking the IRN, QR code, invoice number and tax totals.

You can also review the status from Alt+G > e-Invoice. Open the e-Invoice report to see invoices pending for generation, IRN-generated transactions, rejected transactions and cancelled IRNs.

Generate an e-Way Bill along with the e-Invoice

If your business needs both documents, open the relevant voucher configuration and set Send e-Way Bill details with e-Invoice to Yes. Enter the required dispatch, transport, vehicle and consignee details before saving the voucher. Review the exchange result for both the e-Invoice and e-Way Bill.

Generate IRNs in bulk

1. Press Alt+Z (Exchange).
2. Select Send for e-Invoicing.
3. Review the vouchers ready for IRN generation.
4. Select the required vouchers or send all eligible transactions.
5. Enter the IRP login details and confirm the exchange.

Bulk generation is useful at the end of the day, but review rejected transactions immediately so that incorrect invoices are not delivered to customers.

How to cancel an e-Invoice

Open the voucher in alteration mode and press Alt+X. If the allowed cancellation period has not expired, choose the option to cancel the e-Invoice and voucher, enter the reason and remarks, save with Ctrl+A, and confirm the exchange with the portal.

According to the current TallyHelp guidance, cancellation of an IRN is subject to the applicable 24-hour limit. After the limit, a cancellation request can be rejected by the portal. Always verify the latest rule before acting.

Common e-Invoice errors and solutions

• GSTIN or place-of-supply error: Verify the party master, company GST registration and state details.
• Invalid invoice number: Check that the number does not begin with zero, a slash or a hyphen.
• HSN/SAC or tax-rate mismatch: Correct the item or ledger configuration and recheck the voucher.
• IRP login failure: Confirm the IRP credentials, internet connection and API profile.
• Ship-to details missing: Enter the Ship-to address and GSTIN/UIN when Bill-to and Ship-to locations differ.
• IRN not generated: Open the e-Invoice report, read the rejection reason and correct the voucher before sending it again.
• QR code not printed: Check the print configuration and confirm that the IRN was generated successfully.

Best practices before sending the invoice

• Take a backup before changing GST or e-Invoice configuration.
• Test the process in a sample or backup company first.
• Compare the taxable value, GST amounts, round-off and invoice total with the voucher.
• Verify the recipient GSTIN and email or WhatsApp details before sharing.
• Keep the IRN and response details with the invoice records.

Conclusion

TallyPrime can generate IRNs and QR codes while you record eligible sales invoices. Complete the one-time IRP and company setup, maintain accurate GST master data, review the invoice before exchange, and use the e-Invoice report to track pending, generated and rejected transactions.

For release-specific details, refer to the official TallyHelp guide for generating e-Invoices and printing QR codes.

This article is for software guidance and general information. Confirm current GST and e-Invoice rules with a qualified tax professional.

How to Add a Custom Invoice Print Template in TallyPrime Using TDL

TallyPrime Release 7.1+ supports multiple invoice print templates. In this guide, we register an invoice format called OTS Simple GST Invoice and make it available in the invoice print view.

Before you begin
Test this TDL in TallyPrime Developer with a backup company. The supporting definitions VPC TMPL InvoiceFormatDocs, VPC TMPL Sales and OTS Simple GST Invoice Object Map must be available for your release.

Complete TDL code

;; =========================================================
;; OTS Simple GST Invoice Template
;; TallyPrime Release 7.1+
;; =========================================================

[#Collection: VPC TMPL Custom Formats]
    Object : OTS Simple GST Invoice Template

[Object: OTS Simple GST Invoice Template]
    Use              : VPC TMPL InvoiceFormatDocs
    Country          : @@TMPLCountryIndia
    ViewName         : "OTSSimpleGST"
    UserViewName     : "OTS Simple GST Invoice"
    VarProfile       : "OTS Simple GST Invoice Object Map"
    CarouselTitle    : "OTS Simple GST Invoice"
    IsDefaultAppView : No
    IsDefaultCmpView : Yes

[!Form: OTS Simple GST Invoice Form]
    Use : VPC TMPL Sales

[#Form: Printed Invoice]
    Add : Switch : At Beginning : OTSInvoiceSwitch : OTS Simple GST Invoice Form : +@@VPCTMPLSVPrintViewName = "OTSSimpleGST"

How the code works

1. Register the format: VPC TMPL Custom Formats makes the custom invoice format available to TallyPrime.

2. Define the template: The object assigns the internal view name OTSSimpleGST and the display name OTS Simple GST Invoice.

3. Map the variables: VarProfile connects the format to OTS Simple GST Invoice Object Map.

4. Use the sales form: The custom form inherits VPC TMPL Sales.

5. Switch the print view: The Printed Invoice switch activates this form when the current print view equals OTSSimpleGST.

How to load and test

1. Open TallyPrime Developer and create a separate TDL file.
2. Paste the complete code without changing the internal names.
3. Confirm that the supporting template definitions and object map are loaded.
4. Load the TDL in a test company.
5. Open a Sales voucher and select Print Preview.
6. Look for OTS Simple GST Invoice in the print-template or print-view options.
7. Test the company, buyer, invoice number, date, items, HSN/SAC, GST values and totals.
8. Test local GST, interstate GST, credit notes, multiple items and multi-page invoices.

Create additional invoice designs

Use unique names for every design. For example: OTSCompactGST, OTSModernGST and OTSRetailGST. Each design should have its own ViewName, UserViewName, CarouselTitle, VarProfile and switch condition.

Design ideas
Add a logo, GSTIN, buyer and shipping details, HSN/SAC, quantity, rate, discount, CGST, SGST, IGST, round-off, amount in words, bank details, terms and an authorised-signatory section.

Troubleshooting

• Template does not appear: confirm that the object is added to VPC TMPL Custom Formats and that the TDL loaded successfully.
• Default invoice still prints: verify that the active print view is OTSSimpleGST and that the Printed Invoice switch is evaluated.
• Fields are blank: check the object map and supporting field mappings.
• Errors appear after an upgrade: compare the VPC TMPL definitions with the current TallyPrime release.
• Multiple templates conflict: use unique object, form, switch, view and profile names.

Conclusion

This method adds a named custom invoice template while keeping TallyPrime's default format available. Test the template in Developer mode first, then build additional designs as separate template objects. Always keep a backup of each working TDL version.