Why does the quote tool reject my discount as larger than the subtotal?
Because you chose ‘Fixed amount’ and typed a figure bigger than the lines add up to, so accepting it would push the total below zero. A fixed discount is money in the quote's currency, not a percentage, and the tool will not take more than the subtotal. Switch the discount type or lower the value and the totals summary comes straight back.
What the message actually means
With ‘Fixed amount’ selected, the tool reads the number you type as riyals (or whichever currency you picked). Say you quote two office chairs at 400 each, a subtotal of 800.00. Type a fixed discount of 1000 and the field shows ‘The discount is larger than the subtotal. Enter an amount that does not exceed the subtotal.’, the totals summary disappears and no file is created.
The refusal is deliberate: a quote with a negative total makes no sense, and it could reach a client before you notice.
Three common causes
- You typed a percentage into the amount field: you meant 10% off but left the type on ‘Fixed amount’ and typed 10. No error appears here, yet the discount is only 10 riyals instead of 80 and the total is 908.50 instead of 828.00. This silent mistake is the one to watch for.
- You copied a discount from a bigger quote: 1000 suited an earlier project, not one that adds up to 800.
- You removed a line after typing the discount: the subtotal was larger, then a line went and the discount outgrew it. The tool re-checks every time the lines change.
The fix, step by step
- Look at the subtotal in the totals summary before the discount, or add up the line totals in the table.
- If you meant a percentage, change ‘Discount type’ to ‘Percentage %’. The tool accepts up to 100 there.
- If you meant an amount, enter a value no higher than the subtotal.
- Check the new rows (discount, ‘After discount’, tax, total), then press ‘Create PDF’.
Subtotal 800.00 SAR, with tax at 15% for this example.
Fixed discount of 1000: rejected.
Fixed discount of 100: 700.00 after discount, tax 105.00, total 805.00.
10% as a percentage: discount 80.00, 720.00 after discount, tax 108.00, total 828.00.
Nearby cases that can confuse you
- A discount exactly equal to the subtotal is accepted and gives a total of 0.00. That may suit a free pilot for a trial client, but make sure it is what you mean.
- If you pick a discount type and leave the value empty, the tool asks you to fill it when you press ‘Create PDF’. Choose ‘No discount’ if there is none.
- A percentage above 100 is refused with a message that the value must be at most 100.
If you have two discounts in a row and want their net value in riyals before typing it, use the Discount calculator, then carry the result into the Quotation generator as one fixed amount.
Common questions
Is the discount taken off every line?
No. It comes off the subtotal of the whole quote once, and tax is then worked out on what remains.
Why did the totals summary disappear?
The tool does not show totals built on an invalid discount. Correct the discount and the summary returns.
Can I type a negative discount to add a fee?
No, negative values are not accepted. Add the fee as its own line instead.