Electronic invoices
Cakedesk now supports electronic invoices including XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats. This feature is available for users in Germany.
#How to create an e-invoice with Cakedesk
#1. Enable e-invoice for clients
To create an E-Invoice for a client, go to the respective client and check the box that says "Enable e-invoices for this client" in the "E-Invoices" section.
You can then enter a Routing ID (Leitweg-ID) for the client in case they are in the public administration.
#2. Create the invoice
Create an invoice for the client as usual. When you save the invoice, an E-Invoice will automatically be generated.
#3. Export the e-invoice
After saving the invoice, right-click on the invoice. You have several export options:
- Open PDF (E-Invoice): Opens a ZUGFeRD PDF with embedded XML data
- Export PDF (E-Invoice): Saves a ZUGFeRD PDF with embedded XML data
- Export XRechnung: Exports the invoice as pure XRechnung XML
#How to adjust fields for e-invoices
You can adjust E-Invoice-specific fields under Settings > E-Invoices, such as:
- Contact person name: The name of your contact person (currently only used for E-Invoices)
- Phone and Email: Your contact details
- Invoice Due Days: The number of days until payment is due
- Account Holder, IBAN and BIC: Your bank account details
To create a valid E-Invoice, make sure all required fields are filled out correctly.
When creating an invoice with E-Invoices enabled, you can also add optional reference fields:
- Project Reference (BT-11): Project ID and project name for project-related invoices
- Contract Reference (BT-12): Reference to an underlying contract
- Purchase Order Reference (BT-13): The buyer's purchase order number
- Sales Order Reference (BT-14): Your sales order number
These reference fields will be included in the E-Invoice data but are currently not displayed on the PDF invoice.
#XRechnung vs. ZUGFeRD
Cakedesk supports two E-Invoice formats:
- XRechnung: A pure XML format required by German public administration. Use "Export XRechnung" to get the XML file.
- ZUGFeRD: A hybrid format that embeds the XML data inside a regular PDF. Use "Export PDF (E-Invoice)" to get a ZUGFeRD PDF that can be read by both humans and machines.
#Validate XRechnung
XRechnung is an XML format that is not easily readable by humans. Cakedesk currently does not offer a way to visualize XRechnungen, but there are many online tools that can help.
For example, you can upload, check, and visualize the XRechnung at elster.de.
Cakedesk is currently working on its own feature for validating XRechnungen. You can find a preview version here: Validate XRechnung.