Proforma PDF Invoices for WooCommerce — Documentation
Installing, configuring and using the proforma PDF invoice generator plugin for WooCommerce.
Overview
The Proforma PDF Invoices for WooCommerce plugin generates professional proforma invoices as PDF documents straight from your WooCommerce orders. Each document automatically includes the products with their attributes (dimensions, options, customizations), the full set of WooCommerce totals (subtotal, shipping, discounts, VAT) and your company details.
A proforma invoice is a non-binding document issued before payment. It does not replace the final invoice.
Installation
1. Install the plugin
- In your WordPress admin, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Select the plugin ZIP archive and click Install Now.
- Activate the plugin.
2. Requirements
- WordPress 6.0 or higher
- WooCommerce 7.0 or higher (HPOS compatible)
- PHP 8.0 or higher
Configuration
Settings live under WooCommerce → Proforma, organized in three tabs.
Company tab
Fill in the details printed in the issuer block of the PDF: logo (from the Media Library), company name, full address, phone, email, intra-community VAT number and company registration number.
Document tab
- Number prefix: e.g.
PRO-produces PRO-00001, PRO-00002, and so on. The counter increments automatically and each number stays attached to its order. - Validity: number of days the proforma remains valid (the expiry date is printed on the document).
- Currency symbol and position: 10.00 € or € 10.00.
- Accent color: color of the PDF bands, titles and table headers.
- Footer text: legal mention printed at the bottom of every page.
Email tab
Enable Attach automatically to attach the proforma to order confirmation emails (new order, processing order, on-hold order).
Generating a proforma
From the order screen
A Proforma Invoice box appears in the sidebar of every order. It lets you generate the PDF, download it and regenerate it after editing the order. The action is also available in the Order actions dropdown.
From the orders list
- Dedicated column: an icon shows whether a proforma exists (blue) or not (grey); clicking downloads or generates it.
- Bulk action: tick several orders then choose Generate proforma(s) for mass processing.
After editing an order (adding a product, applying a discount), use the Regenerate button to refresh the PDF: the proforma number stays the same.
PDF contents
- Issuer / recipient blocks with full addresses
- Product table with SKU, name and product attributes (dimensions, customization options…)
- Complete totals identical to WooCommerce: subtotal, shipping, discounts and coupons, VAT, grand total
- Payment method and customer notes (optional)
- Numbering, issue date and validity date
Storage and security
PDF files are stored in wp-content/uploads/df-proforma/, a directory protected against listing. Only users with the manage_woocommerce capability can generate or download documents.
Frequently asked questions
The PDF does not generate
Check that the PDF library is installed (an admin notice appears if it is missing) and that the uploads directory is writable.
Can I change the number of an existing proforma?
The number is fixed on first generation and stored on the order to guarantee traceability. Regenerating the document keeps the same number.
Do discounts and shipping costs appear?
Yes, the document mirrors exactly the total lines computed by WooCommerce, including free shipping and coupons.