End user
· Yellow Dog Inventory 2026
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Base units are
the foundation for how Yellow Dog Inventory tracks, converts, and reports every
multi-size item. These answers cover what a base unit is, the benefits of using
one, and whether your items need to be configured this way.
What is a base
unit?
A base unit is
a universal unit of measure that an item’s other sizes divide into cleanly. In
an item’s configuration, the base unit is the on-hand (parent) size that
displays in reporting.
Figure 1. An item
configured using base unit setup.
|
ON HAND
|
DESCRIPTION / SIZE
|
|
|
0
|
A TO Z BUBBLES ROSE · (FL)OUNCE
|
|
|
—
|
A TO Z BUBBLES ROSE · CASE
|
|
|
—
|
A TO Z BUBBLES ROSE · BTL 750ML
|
|
|
Note: Ask yourself: what is a
universal unit that every other size of this item divides into cleanly?
That’s your base unit.
|
|
|
|
|
What are the
benefits of using a base unit configuration?
The benefits
include:
• Standardization: Base
units keep inventory tracking consistent, making it easier to compare
quantities across items and transactions.
• Flexibility for
conversions: Base units support easier unit conversions when you
create additional sizes.
Do I have to
set up my items with a base unit configuration?
Starting in
2025, all newly implemented Food & Beverage clients have their inventory
items configured with base units by default. If you are a Food & Beverage
client who joined before 2025 and your items are not set up with base units,
you are not required to update your
configuration—but we strongly recommend doing so for consistency and accuracy.
How do I
update my existing items to the base unit standard?
See How To: Update Items to Base Unit Configuration
for step-by-step instructions.
RELATED ARTICLES
Last reviewed: June 2026 ·
Applies to: Yellow Dog Inventory 2026
Related Articles
How To: Swap the On-Hand (Base Unit) Size
End user · Yellow Dog Inventory 2026 WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The on-hand (parent) size is the base unit—the unit Yellow Dog Inventory uses to track on-hand quantity and to convert every purchasing and counting size. When an item with multiple sizes is set ...
How To: Updates Items to Base Unit Configuration
With Base Unit setup, the on-hand size will be the base unit (the smallest, most basic unit of measure for the inventory item). The benefits of this approach are: Standardization: Base Units ensure consistency in inventory tracking, making it easier ...
Quick Reference: F&B Item Creation Checklist
Maintaining accurate inventory item data and following a standard item creation process is essential to the overall integrity of your inventory system. Every report, transaction, and integration in Yellow Dog Inventory relies on this foundation. ...
Quick Reference: F&B Details Tab
The F&B Details tab of the Item Editor in Yellow Dog Inventory is important because it acts as the central hub for how each food & beverage item is defined, managed, and used throughout the system. It connects the dots between purchasing, costing, ...
Quick Reference: Item Types & Behaviors
Knowing the different item types is essential for accurate inventory tracking and clean financial reporting. Each type—whether matrix, parent-child, kit, or no count—controls how items are counted, sold, and expensed. Using the right type streamlines ...