In this article, we will walk through how to set up and use Auto Sourcing.
What is Auto Sourcing?
Auto Sourcing lets you automatically source in predefined values of repeatable information.
Why would I use Auto Sourcing?
When completing documents, you often type in the same information such as your company name, address, or vendor number multiple times, in multiple places. Reduce data entry and errors by automatically sourcing that information within forms.
How do I set up and use Auto Sourcing?
Auto Sourcing is available in the Settings tab of Fulfillment. Here, you can find the document you want to set up auto sourcing values for in the Document column.
Filter Categories: There are four categories you can sort documents by: Partners, Document Types, Documents, and Features. These categories are collapsible if you only want to look at a few of them at a time. You can also scroll through each category to find and click the check box of your desired filter.
Filter Options: In this text field, you can type to search for the document you are looking for. The search bar will search in all four categories. If you want to just filter by Document, then you can collapse the other 3 categories.
Document Search: Type in this search box if you know part or all of the name of the document you need.
Document: This column shows all the documents available for each trading partner you are connected with.
⚠️ Important - You might see the same document listed more than once for a trading partner. This happens when there are different versions of that form available for you to use. For instance, you might see both Invoice and Invoice from ASN.
Invoice: This version typically gets its information from the original Order.
Invoice from ASN: This is another invoice option, but instead of the Order, it pulls its data from the previously sent ASN.
Document Type: This column specifies the EDI document. It includes the document name and its EDI number, such as Shipment (EDI: 856).
Partner: The trading partner the document is for.
Auto Send: Toggle this on to turn on Auto Send. This is available for Order Acknowledgements, Load Tender Responses, and Invoices. Learn more here.
Auto Sourcing Utilization: All documents have fields that are recommended to Auto Source if you’re able. Your progress in completing these recommended fields will be tracked here.
⚠️ Important - This column will be temporarily unavailable. Auto Sourcing Utilization will be used in a future rollout.
Activated: Toggle this on to activate this form’s Auto Sourcing. Auto Sourcing must be activated before you create the new document for the Auto Sourced values to be included.
Navigation
To view or change a document's Auto Sourcing details, click its blue link. This will take you to a page showing all fields available in the User Entry view.
For specific Auto Sourcing information, use the filters highlighted below. Select the "Required" filter for a simplified view of only essential fields.
Field Indicators
An asterisk to the left of the field name indicates a field that must be completed before the document can successfully be sent. | |
The tabs between each document will vary. Navigate to each tab to complete all required fields. | |
Click the blue question marks for helpful tips on filling out each field. |
💡 Need help filling in the required information? Click the in the upper-right of the page to view tips on completing required fields.
Advanced Preferences
Click the Edit link next to a field name to open its Advanced Preferences. If Advanced Preferences have already been set up for that field, they will be displayed. You can also create new Rules within Advanced Preferences.
Collapsed View
This option, found in the Advanced Preferences of all fields, controls how this field behaves in Auto Fill. By default, Auto Fill only shows required fields that are still empty. Selecting Display in Collapsed View ensures this field will always be visible in Auto Fill, even if it already contains data.
When creating a document in Auto Fill, an exclamation mark and eye icon will indicate you have set up Display in Collapsed View for that field.
Add Document ID Generators
On the Auto Sourcing home page, you will see Document ID Generators (identified below). This option applies to fields requiring unique values for each document, like an Invoice number. Document ID Generators can automate this process after a single setup. Learn how to create Document ID Generators.
Date Calculations
This option can be accessed through the Edit link (Advanced Preferences) next to any date fields in the document you are creating Auto Sourcing for. It allows you to set default date parameters based off the date the document is created, which is called Today.
Example: You could use a date calculation to create an Invoice Due Date 30 days in the future if you have Net30 terms.
Today: The date the document is created will be used for this field.
Today + Days: The date the document is created plus the number days indicated in the field below will be used for this field.
Today – Days: The date the document is created minus the number of days indicated in the field below will be used for this field.
Save
To enable the auto sourcing defaults you've entered, first activate your defaults by turning the toggle button blue. Then, click the Save button directly next to the toggle.
How Do I Know What to Auto Source?
Potential Fields to Auto Source:
You can use a combination of User Entry and Check for Errors to quickly determine what required fields need to be completed for your document to be valid. Here's how:
First, create a document in User Entry.
Next, open the document in Full view, then click the Check for Errors
button.
After clicking, pay attention to any fields that become highlighted in red.
These red highlights show you the required fields that are missing information.
If there are no fields that highlight in red, then you have already completed all sourcing required for Fulfillment to create a valid document on your behalf. Create and Send and Auto Send will work for these documents.
More Information
Auto Sourcing is static and cannot be flexible, e.g. storing multiple charges on an Invoice. For more dynamic Auto Sourcing, e.g. when Ship From Address City is Minneapolis, Ship From State is Minnesota - check out our article on Auto Sourcing Rules.
Learn how to use Create and Send once all required fields can be sourced in to your form.
Learn how to use Auto Send to automate Order Acknowledgements, Load Tender Responses, and Dropship Invoices.
Learn how to setup Doc ID Generators.
Check out our Fulfillment Collection to see all Fulfillment articles.
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