# Stock Allocation

<details>

<summary>Media</summary>

<img src="/files/nQpE5YZ19daoklxbD23E" alt="" data-size="line">[Stock Allocation](https://salesorder.wistia.com/medias/crq70acffh)

</details>

### Stock Allocation - need to know

The purpose of stock allocation is to reserve or ring-fence stock for a Sales Order. Stock allocation decreases the balance of free stock. When you allocate stock you increase the on-hand balance by the amount of stock allocated.

Stock allocation is a mandatory step preceding the creation of a Shipment.

The configuration of the Sales Order determines whether or not, and how the stock is allocated. See [<mark style="color:blue;">Sales Order ⛭</mark>](/setup/configuration/sales-order.md) config.

### Allocation Indicators on Line Items

**When saved** the LIne Items on the Sales Order will display the allocation status per line item, or the invoiced status.

**When in Edit mode** the Line Items on the Sales Orders will display how much allocation can be done.

![](/files/dBe9gwG7kTfCwQtZfpcE)

The **Allocation column** on the Line Item Table displays the amount of stock allocated versus the quantity ordered.

### Allocation Indicators on the Sales Order List <a href="#kdnc5gmmc92c" id="kdnc5gmmc92c"></a>

You can determine which orders can be allocated in the list by using the action 'List Orders requiring allocation'. The list will display to what extent allocation is possible on each Sales Order, specifically (see above),

* Cannot Allocate
* Can Partially Allocate
* Partially Allocated

### Unallocating (deallocating) Stock

You can deallocate stock from a single or multiple Sales Orders.

#### Deallocate stock from a single Sales Order

Put the Sales Order in the '<mark style="color:orange;">Edit'</mark> state.

Either deallocate all Items using:

The <mark style="color:orange;">Sales Order>Actions>Unallocate Stock</mark>

OR

The <mark style="color:orange;">Sales Order>Action Bar>Edit Allocation</mark>

In the respective line item column cell, adjust the allocated quantity.

<mark style="color:orange;">Save</mark> the Sales Order.

#### Deallocate stock from multiple Sales Orders.

This action deallocates stock from selected Sales Orders.

<mark style="color:orange;">Select</mark> the Sales Orders you wish to unallocate.

<mark style="color:orange;">Sales>Sales Orders>Allocating>Unallocate Stock</mark>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://helpwith.salesorder.com/sales/sales-orders/stock-allocation.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.