# Set up invoice preferences

## Overview

In this section, you can configure your default invoice settings, including the starting invoice number, payment terms, and online payment options.

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**Note:** Caspen uses the **Stripe integration** to process online payments securely. You can connect Stripe directly from your **Settings** -> **Integrations** page.
{% endhint %}

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## How to enable online payment

Allow clients to pay their invoices online via Stripe.

**Steps**

1. Go to **Settings** → click **Invoices**.
2. Under the Payment section, click **Connect Stripe** (if not already connected).

<figure><img src="/files/lWnQgGFxc8ZrMGOV35N5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/G4tr7yBkUKj6399LeKsu" alt="" width="444"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This opens the Integrations page. Find Stripe, toggle it on, and follow the prompts to connect your existing account or create a new one.

3. Once your Stripe account is connected, return to **Settings** → **Invoices** and **toggle Enable online payment** ON.

<figure><img src="/files/y2IL4dSQwBdcGT8OQwqo" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Click **Save**.

<figure><img src="/files/AxPWTmU3q9cIsnu9KRJ5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When enabled, clients can pay invoices directly from email links or through the Client Portal using the **Pay invoice** button.

<figure><img src="/files/arnnow9NPUsdYYmUwsQ6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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## Configure the invoice numbers

Use this if you need to start from a specific invoice number. **Next number** shows the next invoice number the system will use. By default, Caspen starts at 1 (shown as INV-0001).

If you need Caspen to continue your existing invoice sequence, or start from a particular number, follow the steps below to configure the next invoice number.

#### How to configure invoice numbers

1. Go to **Settings** → **Invoices**.
2. Update **Next number** with **the next invoice number** you want to use.

<figure><img src="/files/Y2S2U2ShXpHNQfavxGUA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Click **Save** (top-right corner).

After saving, the next invoice number will use your new value, and all future invoices will increase in sequence.

**Example:**\
If your previous system’s invoices ended at **#1500**, set **Next number** in Caspen to **1501**, so your next invoice becomes INV-1501.

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## Default payment terms

Default payment terms determine how many days after the invoice issue date payment is due.\
Caspen will automatically calculate the due date on new invoices based on the number of days you set here.

**Example:**\
If you set 14 days, an invoice issued on August 1 will automatically show a due date of August 15.

You can still edit the due date manually on individual invoices if needed. This setting just controls the default value for new ones.

#### To update your default payment terms:

1. Go to **Settings** → **Invoices**.
2. Find the **Default payment terms** field.
3. Enter how many days after the invoice date payment is due (e.g., 7, 14, or 30).

<figure><img src="/files/uscg6ikbz96fZvP9xQZN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Click **Save** (top-right corner).


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