Prerequisites
- A warehouse with stock items. If the warehouse uses bin locations, every variance line needs a bin.
- Each counted item has a posting cost — a standard cost or a running average cost. See Costing methods.
- A GL account to absorb variances, such as an inventory shrink or cost of goods sold account. See Segments.
Count statuses
Start a count
1
Open Counts
- In the sidebar, open Inventory.
- Click Counts.
2
Create the sheet
Click New count and fill in the scope:
When you pick Selected items or Selected bins, a selection table appears. Tick the rows to include.
3
Generate the lines
Click Save. adorabl builds one line per item (or per item and bin) and snapshots the System quantity at that moment. Counting against a frozen snapshot keeps the variance meaningful even if receipts or shipments post while you count.The count receives its
COUNT- number as soon as it is created. See Next numbers.Creating a count does not freeze stock. Receipts, shipments, and adjustments still post while the sheet is open. The sheet compares your counted quantity to the system quantity captured when the sheet was generated.
Record counted quantities
1
Enter counts
On the count sheet, type the Counted quantity on each line. When the warehouse uses bins, pick Bin on the line first — the placeholder reads Select bin. The Variance column updates as you type — counted minus system. Leave a line blank if it was not counted; blank lines do not post.Add a Note on a line when the variance needs context.
2
Save as you go
Click Save as Draft (or the header Save icon) to store progress. The totals bar shows Lines counted, Variance lines, Net units, and Net variance value at the item’s posting cost.
3
Submit for review
When counting is finished, click Submit for review. The count moves to In review and the lines lock for the reviewer. Set the Variance account on the header now or during review — posting requires it.Use Reopen if the reviewer sends the sheet back for a recount.
Approve and post
1
Review variances
Open a count under the Awaiting approval tile. Scan the Variance column and the totals bar. Gains and shrink are both valued at each item’s posting cost.
2
Approve & post
Click Approve & post. For every line with a non-zero variance, adorabl:
- Posts an inventory adjustment that moves on-hand (and the bin balance) to the counted quantity.
- Books a journal entry at the item’s posting cost — a shortage debits the variance account and credits Inventory; an overage debits Inventory and credits the variance account.
- Updates the running average for Average (weighted) items.
Cancel a count
Use Cancel count from the overflow menu on a Counting or In review sheet. Cancelling discards the sheet and posts nothing. Posted counts cannot be cancelled — record a new count or an inventory adjustment to correct a posted result.Example: Trail Ridge Outfitters
Trail Ridge cycle-counts the A aisle at Denver DC every Friday.- The ops lead creates COUNT-00012 — Cycle count, warehouse Denver DC, Selected bins
A-12-1throughA-12-4, referenceFri aisle A. - The counter enters quantities on a tablet. Bin
A-12-3shows System23×AP-3300-NVand Counted20, a variance of-3. - The sheet is submitted with variance account 5150 · Inventory Shrink.
- The controller opens the Awaiting approval tile, reviews the
-3line (-$111.00at the $37.00 average), and clicks Approve & post. - On-hand at
A-12-3drops to 20, and journal entry JE-000461 debits 5150 and credits 1300 · Inventory for $111.00.
Related guides
Inventory transactions
One-off adjustments and transfers outside a count.
Stock on hand
Verify quantities after a count posts.
Bin locations
Bin structure for warehouses that count by location.
Items
Costing methods and the posting cost used to value variances.
Troubleshooting
Approve & post is blocked — select a variance account
Approve & post is blocked — select a variance account
Set the Variance account on the count header before posting. Pick an active detail account; summary accounts are not accepted.
A line needs a bin location
A line needs a bin location
The warehouse uses bin locations, so every line with a variance must name a bin. Choose the bin on the line, or start the count with Selected bins so each line is already placed.
An item needs a posting cost before posting
An item needs a posting cost before posting
The item has no standard cost (or no average cost yet). Enter a cost on the item’s Details tab, then post the count again. See Items.
Submit for review is disabled
Submit for review is disabled
Record at least one counted quantity and clear any red cells on the line grid.
The system quantity on the sheet is out of date
The system quantity on the sheet is out of date
Expected. The sheet snapshots on-hand when it is generated. If a receipt or shipment posted after that, cancel the sheet and start a new count, or note the movement on the affected line before approving.
I need to change a posted count
I need to change a posted count
Posted counts are read-only. Record a new count, or post an inventory adjustment with reason Cycle count.

