Electronic invoicing and EDI in Odoo: a step-by-step guide

When your accounting department is drowning in PDFs and the thought of sending invoices on paper makes you shudder, TSC Expert steps in. Odoo specialist, TSC Expert supports businesses in setting up electronic invoicing, configuring the EDI flows and integrating the Peppol network. Thanks to its expertise, you can issue and receive structured invoices, manage your data exchanges and keep control of your accounting, all without stress. Here is a complete, step-by-step guide to configure, create and manage your electronic documents with Odoo, with complete peace of mind.

Enabling and configuring the electronic invoicing module

To get started, open your Odoo instance and go to the Apps menu. Search for “electronic invoicing” and then install the module. You simply need to confirm the licence and wait a few seconds. Then, head to Accounting › Configuration › Settings. Check that your legal information (intra-Community VAT number, ISO country code) is correctly set. An incorrect code can cause the sending to fail or generate a format error. Also make sure that your user profiles have the rights to view and modify the configuration.

Creating a compliant electronic invoice

Generating a structured invoice takes just a few clicks: in Invoicing › Create, select your customer, add your products or services, specify the VAT rates, then click “Send electronically”. Odoo converts your items into an XML file compliant with the UBL or EDIFACT standards and transmits everything via the chosen channel. Your customer then receives a secure link to download their invoices or a Peppol message if you use this network. Payment tracking is carried out directly in the module, without manual re-entry.

Integrating the receipt of supplier invoices

Electronic invoicing is not limited to sales. You can import your supplier invoices received in EDI or Peppol format. Enable automatic import in Purchases › Supplier invoices, then specify your receiving channel. Odoo retrieves the XML data, matches each line to your purchase orders and prepares the validation. A single click is enough to reconcile the amounts and references, and a second to validate. This automation drastically reduces data entry time and limits transcription errors.

Configuring Peppol step by step

The Peppol network facilitates cross-border exchange. Start by registering with an approved access point. You will obtain a unique identifier (GLN or national ID). In Odoo, open Accounting › Peppol settings and enter this code. You can then test the sending to a test partner to validate the configuration. Once in production, Peppol handles the local specificities of each country: mandatory information, VAT schemes and document structure.

Checking traceability and statuses

One of Odoo's major strengths: built-in traceability. For each electronic invoice, open the sending or receiving log. There you can view the status (accepted, in error, pending) and the complete history with date, time and network messages. This transparency allows you to act quickly in the event of a rejection – it is often enough to correct a country code or an incorrect date and resend.

Tips for avoiding blockages

A few tips drawn from the field:

• Always check the format of VAT numbers in the European format (ISO 3166-2) to prevent rejections.
• Prefixing your electronic invoices with a clear code (FE_2026_001) makes searching and reconciliation easier.
• Limit attachments: some channels only accept a restricted number of documents (generally no more than three).

These best practices, put in place from the outset, will save you precious time.

Securing data and complying with legislation

Electronic invoicing involves sensitive data. Odoo uses SSL encryption to protect your information. Remember to keep your instance up to date, to back up your EDI certificates regularly and to archive your invoices for the legal period (often ten years). These precautions ensure compliance during a tax audit and protect you from any legal risk.

Integrating automated accounting tracking

Once the invoice has been issued or received, Odoo offers automatic bank reconciliation. Your statements are imported and the transactions are matched to the invoices thanks to the structured references in the XML. You obtain up-to-date accounts, without tedious re-entry. VAT tracking is thereby accelerated and you can generate your returns in just a few clicks.

Next steps to go further

Once you have mastered electronic invoicing, TSC Expert invites you to discover other perfectly complementary Odoo modules: subscription management to automate your recurring contracts, multi-currency invoicing to expand your international clientele, or follow-up automation to secure your outstanding amounts. Each feature fits naturally into your existing environment, always under the watchful eye of TSC Expert, for paperless management and perfectly smooth communication with your customers and suppliers.

You now hold all the keys to enable, test and deploy your electronic invoicing and EDI solution in Odoo. To take this step quickly and benefit from tailored support, contact TSC Expert today: our consultants stand ready to configure, train your teams and optimise every process in your accounting. Together, let's lighten your administrative workload and strengthen the reliability of your financial exchanges.

FAQ

Is electronic invoicing mandatory for all businesses?

For several years now, more and more European countries have been generalising electronic invoicing, first in B2G and then in B2B. Odoo supports these developments: whether or not your company is subject to the obligation, you generate your electronic invoices in the required format (UBL, EDIFACT or Peppol). This way, you anticipate the next regulatory deadlines without any additional effort.

How does Odoo manage the different EDI formats and standards?

Odoo offers a single module capable of producing and consuming several formats: XML UBL export, EDIFACT or sending via the Peppol network. You simply select the desired channel in the settings, then Odoo adapts the data structure and the legal information (VAT, country codes) automatically. In the event of a standards update, a new version of the module ensures compatibility.

Can I change my EDI provider or Peppol access point without disrupting my sendings?

Absolutely. Odoo centralises your EDI configuration in a single screen. If you migrate to another service, you simply need to change your credentials and URL in the Accounting › Electronic invoicing section. Your pending invoices will then be routed according to the new settings, without having to recreate each document.