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Why is the cost method blank or missing on a product in Acctivate?

If a product’s cost method appears blank or missing, it may be using a cost method that’s been marked inactive in Configuration Manager.

If the Cost Method field for a product in Acctivate appears blank (or looks like it was never set), it’s often because the assigned cost method has been marked Inactive in the Configuration Manager.

Acctivate hides inactive cost methods from selection lists, so even though the cost method still exists on the product record, it will not display in the product window.

Understanding the Issue

Acctivate uses cost methods such as Average, FIFO, or LIFO to calculate inventory value and cost of goods sold. Each of these methods can be activated or deactivated in Configuration Manager under Inventory Options.

When a cost method is deactivated:

  • Any existing products that use that method retain the database value.

  • However, the field appears blank in the Product Information window.

  • Reports and transactions may continue to use the stored cost method internally, but users will not see it in the interface.

Steps to Verify and Correct the Issue

1. Check the product’s cost method

  1. In Acctivate, open the Product Information window.

  2. Look at the Cost Method field on the General tab.

    • If it appears blank, continue to the next step.

2. Review active cost methods in Configuration Manager

  1. Go to File → Configuration Management → Inventory → Cost Methods.

  2. Review the list of available cost methods.

  3. If the method you expect (e.g., Average, FIFO, LIFO) is shown but has the Inactive box checked, this confirms the cause.

3. Reactivate the cost method (recommended)

If the product should continue using the same cost method:

  1. Highlight the inactive cost method in the list.

  2. Uncheck the Inactive option.

  3. Click Save and Close Configuration Manager.

  4. Reopen the product window — the Cost Method field should now display correctly.

4. Or assign a new active cost method (optional)

If the old method should remain inactive, you can reassign the product to a new method:

  1. In the Product Information window, choose an active cost method from the dropdown list.

  2. Save the product record.

  3. Review inventory valuation reports to confirm expected results before processing new transactions.

Expected Result

After reactivating or reassigning the cost method:

  • The Cost Method field displays properly on the product record.

  • Future transactions calculate inventory cost correctly.

Actual Result (if unresolved)

If the inactive cost method remains linked:

  • The cost method field appears blank.

  • Product valuation and reporting may not align with intended costing rules.

Additional Notes

  • This issue can occur after changes to cost method settings in Configuration Manager, especially if certain methods were deactivated as part of system cleanup.

  • Always verify that the cost method used matches your company’s accounting practices before reactivating or changing it.

  • If multiple products are affected, you can reactivate the cost method temporarily, correct all products, and then deactivate it again.

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