Product configuration

How stock, variations, preorder, and backorder work on a product.

Stock

Manage stock — when off, stock is ignored: customers can order without limits and stock is not reduced on sale. When on, you set a quantity and sales reduce it.

Stock — quantity on hand for the product. When variations exist, stock is tracked per option instead — the main product stock field is disabled.

Preorder — when on, customers can order even when stock is zero. Preorder sales still reduce stock when stock tracking is on.

Variations

One variation type per product (e.g. Size). Each option can have its own stock when stock tracking is on. Rename or remove options from the product detail screen.

Preorder and backorder rules apply per variation stock the same way as for a single-stock product.

Preorder

1. With stock tracking on — customers can order when stock is zero if preorder is enabled. Stock is reduced when ordered.
2. With stock tracking off — every order is treated as a preorder regardless of stock.

Backorder

Only available when Manage stock is on. Allows orders when stock is zero or negative — extra units beyond stock are sold as backorder lines and stock can go negative.

Mixed lines

Preorder and backorder can apply on the same line when quantity exceeds stock — for example 2 units with stock of 1 may show both preorder and backorder badges. Online checkout enforces backorder rules; in-store mode may allow overrides depending on settings.