Quick answer
You can make an invoice in Word or Excel by opening an invoice template, replacing the details and saving it as a PDF. It works, but you have to update numbers, dates and totals by hand, which leads to mistakes. A free online invoice generator does the maths and numbering for you and still gives you a PDF.
How to make an invoice in Word or Excel
- Open Word or Excel and search the built-in templates for “invoice”.
- Replace the sample business details with yours and add your logo.
- Enter the client, invoice number, dates and line items.
- In Excel, check the formulas add up correctly. In Word, calculate the totals yourself.
- Save a copy with a new file name, then export it as a PDF before sending.
Need one now? Open the free invoice generator. It’s free and makes a PDF in a minute.
Common mistakes with document templates
- Reusing an invoice number after copying last month’s file.
- Totals that don’t add up, especially in Word, or when a row is added outside the formula range in Excel.
- Old dates or client details left in from the previous invoice.
- Sending an editable .docx, which can look different on the client’s computer.
The quicker option
Our free invoice generator works in your browser with no sign-up. It remembers your business details, numbers invoices in order, calculates tax and totals to the cent, and downloads a clean PDF. Your data stays on your device. Templates for freelancers, hourly work and many trades start you off with example lines.
Create your invoice in under a minute, free. Fill in the form, watch the preview and download a PDF. No sign-up, and your data stays on your device.
Free invoice generatorFrequently asked questions
Does Word have a free invoice template?
Yes. Word and Excel include free invoice templates you can find by searching “invoice” when creating a new document.
Is Excel better than Word for invoices?
Excel is usually better because it can calculate totals with formulas. Word needs you to work out totals yourself.
Can I download an invoice as PDF instead?
Yes. Online invoice makers like ours create a PDF directly, which is the format most clients prefer.
Related tools & articles
More from the blog
- Can I send an invoice without a registered business?Yes, freelancers can send invoices without registering a company. What to put instead of a business name, and when tax registration matters.
- How to invoice international clientsHow to invoice clients in another country: which currency to use, tax on exported services, payment options, and what to include on the invoice.
- What is a credit note?A credit note cancels or reduces an invoice you have already sent. Learn when to use one, what it includes, and how it differs from a refund.
- What is a tax invoice?A tax invoice meets VAT or GST rules so your customer can claim the tax back. What it must show, plus the rules in the UK, Australia and Canada.