This article explains how to match an invoice in Candis against the corresponding purchase order and goods receipt – the so-called 3-way match. You will learn how to transfer line items automatically into your posting and ensure that quantity, unit price, and invoice coding align across all three documents before you submit the invoice for approval.

📝 Note: The 3-way match only applies when at least one goods receipt or purchase order exists for the same supplier. If neither is available, you can process the invoice as usual without a reference document.

The 3-way match compares three documents:

Candis checks each line item to verify whether quantity and unit price match across the purchase order, goods receipt, and invoice. Candis highlights discrepancies by color so you can resolve them before approving the invoice.

In the Split document view, the status panel gives you a quick overview:

Open the invoice in the Inbox. In the right-hand panel, click + Split document under Next step.

Candis opens the split view: the original invoice PDF on the left, and the Split document panel on the right with the status display, referenced documents, and the line item list.

When you open the split view for the first time, the status shows 0 documents referenced and the line item list is empty.

💡 Tip: You can fill in the split manually without a reference document. However, the 3-way match with quantity and price comparison only works when you link at least one reference document.

In the Referenced documents section, click the + icon. Candis opens a selection dialog with two tabs: Goods receipts and Purchase orders.

Candis automatically filters the list to the business partner on the current invoice. Each entry shows:

Select the matching entry and click Add to document. Candis transfers all line items from the selected document into the invoice split.

💡 Tip: Can't find the correct delivery note? First check the business partner selected on the invoice. You can also use the SAP import history link in the dialog to see when data was last imported from your ERP system into Candis.

📝 Note: You can reference multiple goods receipts and purchase orders per invoice – for example when a consolidated invoice covers several deliveries. Repeat Step 2 for each additional reference document.

After adding a reference document, Candis transfers all line items from that document into the split. Each line item displays two colored status indicators: one for quantity and one for unit price (net).

The colors mean:

Click a status indicator to open the detail comparison. Candis shows you the values from the purchase order, goods receipt, and invoice side by side.

📝 Note: The Rounding amount in the status panel shows the difference between the invoice total and the sum of all line items. As long as the rounding amount is not €0.00, line items or amounts are missing from the split.

Some invoices include line items that are not part of the goods receipt or purchase order – typically freight, packaging, or other ancillary costs. Add these manually to bring the rounding amount down to €0.00.

Click + New split. Candis opens a selection menu with predefined standard positions (e.g. Freight or Packaging). Choose the matching standard position or create a custom line item.

Enter the quantity, unit price (net), net amount, and tax code. Once the sum of all line items equals the invoice amount, the rounding amount drops to €0.00.

💡 Tip: You can set up standard positions such as Freight and Packaging in your organization settings. This makes them available for all invoices that use the same coding schema.

When all status indicators are green, the rounding amount is €0.00, and the invoice coding (G/L account, tax code, and, if applicable, cost center) is complete for every line item, click Confirm split in the bottom right corner.

Candis writes the split back to the invoice and closes the split view. You return to the standard invoice view – with all line items, G/L accounts, and cost center values transferred from the purchase order and goods receipt.

💡 Tip: Want to discard the split and start over? Click Discard split. Candis resets the split without changing the invoice itself.

The invoice is now fully coded and linked to the source documents. You can submit it for approval like any other invoice.

Click Request approval to start the configured workflow. If you have approval rights and no further step is required, click Approve now.

Example 1 — Consolidated invoice covering multiple deliveries
A supplier issues a consolidated invoice for three goods receipts from the same month. You open the split view, click the + icon three times in the Referenced documents section, and link all three goods receipts in sequence. Candis creates a separate line item for each article and checks quantity and unit price per goods receipt.

Example 2 — Invoice with ancillary costs
An invoice contains three ordered items and a flat-rate freight charge. You reference the goods receipt for the three items and add a fourth line via + New split → Standard position → Freight for the freight charge. The rounding amount drops to €0.00 once the freight charge is entered correctly.

Example 3 — Resolving a price discrepancy
The goods receipt records a unit price of €10.00, but the invoice shows €10.50. Candis marks the line yellow and displays both values in the detail comparison. You clarify the difference with the supplier or the purchasing team and adjust the line item before confirming the split.

Example 4 — Purchase order without goods receipt (2-way match)
If only a purchase order exists – for example for services without a physical goods receipt – reference the purchase order on the Purchase orders tab. Candis then compares quantity and unit price exclusively between the purchase order and the invoice.