brotherton-erpnext/docs/docs.user.stock.serialized.md

---
{
	"_label": "Serialized Inventory"
}
---
As we discussed in the **Item** section, if an **Item** is *serialized*, a **Serial Number** (Serial No) record is maintained for each quantity of that **Item**. This information is helpful in tracking the location of the Serial No, its warranty and end-of-life (expiry) information.

**Serial Nos** are also useful to maintain fixed assets. **Maintenance Schedules** can also be created against serial numbers for planning and scheduling maintenance activity for these assets (if they require maintenance).

You can also track from which **Supplier** you purchased the **Serial No** and to which **Customer** you have sold it. The **Serial No** status will tell you its current inventory status.

If your Item is *serialized* you will have to enter the Serial Nos in the related column with each Serial No in a new line.

### Serial Nos and Inventory

Inventory of an Item can only be affected if the Serial No is transacted via a Stock transaction (Stock Entry, Purchase Receipt, Delivery Note, Sales Invoice). When a new Serial No is created directly, its warehouse cannot be set.

### Using Serial Nos

To add a Serial No to a stock transaction, you can set the Serial No in the serial no field:

![Serial No Entry](img/serial-no-entry.png)

### Creation

Serial Nos can automatically be created from a Stock Entry or Purchase Receipt. If you mention Serial No in the Serial Nos column, it will automatically create those serial Nos.

### Automatic Series

If in the Item Master, the Serial No Series is mentioned, you can leave the Serial No column blank in a Stock Entry / Purchase Receipt and Serial Nos will automatically be set from that series.

#### Step 1: Mention the Series in the Item

![Automatic Series](img/item-serial-no-series.png)

#### Step 2: Keep Serial No field blank in your entry

#### Step 3: Save / Submit your transaction (Serial Nos Automatically Updated)

![Serial No Created Message](img/serial-no-auto-1.png)

![Serial No Updated in Transaction](img/serial-no-auto-2.png)


### Importing and Updating Serial Nos

Serial Nos cannot be imported from Stock Reconciliation. To import Serial Nos, you will have to use the Data Import Tool.

### Using Serial Numbers for Multiple Purposes

Serial Nos are a useful tool for tracking different kinds of Items, by using it along with Custom Fields. For example, in our internal system at Web Notes, each ERP account is a Serial No, with type of user “Plan” as the Item, its expiry date, whether it is Trial or Paid and other details as Custom Fields.

We have known customers who use Serial Nos to track fixed assets, real-estate properties or advertisement slots, even library books!

Since Serial Nos are deeply linked with all the core modules, Selling, Buying, Inventory and Accounting, you may find many uses for them.