> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/llms.txt).

# Variants and groups

Sell one product in several sizes or versions with variants, and organize your catalog into groups with their own icon and color.

## Variants: one item, several versions

Use variants when you sell the same product in different sizes, packs or versions, each with its own price. Each variant has its own **Variant Name**, **SKU**, **Sell Price** and **Income Category**.

1. In the left navigation, click **Bills & Invoices** › **Products & Services**, then **New Item**.
2. Enter the item's **Name**, and optionally a **Grouping** and **Description**.
3. Click **Use Variants**.
4. For the first variant, enter its name, SKU, price and category.
5. Click **+ Add Variant** for each extra version. Click **Remove** to delete one before saving.
6. Click **Save & Close**.

![An item with variants: Ethiopia Guji sold as a 12 oz retail bag and a 5 lb wholesale bag, each with its own SKU, price and income category](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/shots/items-variants.png)

On an invoice line, choose the variant you sold and its price and category fill in.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Choose **Basic** or **Use Variants** when you create the item. An item's structure is fixed once it exists. To switch later, create a new item.
{% endhint %}

### Stop offering one variant

Open the item, click **Edit**, and turn off the switch on that variant. It shows "Inactive variant · unavailable on new documents". Documents that already use it keep it. Click **Save & Close**.

## Groups: organize your catalog

Groups are folders for your items, shown as headings in the **Products & Services** list. Items with no group are listed under **Ungrouped**.

![Products & Services grouped into Cafe & Services and Wholesale Coffee, with New Group in the New Item menu](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/shots/items-groups.png)

### Create a group

1. On **Products & Services**, click the arrow beside **New Item** and choose **New Group…**
2. Choose an icon and a color, and enter a **Name** and an optional **Description**.
3. Click **Save**.

### Put items in a group

Open an item, click **Edit**, choose the group under **Grouping**, and click **Save & Close**. Choose **No Group** to take it out of a group.

Use **Collapse groups** above the list to fold every group, or click a group heading to fold just that one.

## Frequently Asked Questions

<details>
<summary>Can I switch an existing item to variants later?</summary>

No. An item's structure is fixed once it exists. Create a new item with **Use Variants**, and set the old one to **Inactive** if you no longer need it.
</details>

<details>
<summary>When should I use variants instead of separate items?</summary>

Use variants when it's the same product in different sizes or packs, such as a 12 oz bag and a 5 lb bag. Use separate items for different products.
</details>

<details>
<summary>Can each variant post to a different income category?</summary>

Yes. Each variant has its own income category, so retail and wholesale sales of the same product can land in different accounts.
</details>

<details>
<summary>What are groups for?</summary>

Groups organize the catalog list, with an icon and color for each. They don't change how anything posts in your books.
</details>

<details>
<summary>Can I rename or delete a group?</summary>

Not yet. Groups can be created and assigned to items. To stop using one, move its items to another group or to **No Group**.
</details>

<details>
<summary>What happens to invoices that use a variant I deactivate?</summary>

Nothing changes on them. An inactive variant just stops being offered on new invoices and bills.
</details>

---

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