---
title: "Assign containers to a purchase order"
slug: "bc-assign-containers-to-a-purchase-order"
description: "Learn how to create and manage containers linked to purchase orders for efficient warehouse receipt processing and lot number assignment."
tags: ["BC", "Business Central", "Food", "Task"]
updated: 2026-06-25T09:59:14Z
published: 2026-06-25T09:59:14Z
canonical: "docs.staedean.com/bc-assign-containers-to-a-purchase-order"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.staedean.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Assign containers to a purchase order

On the purchase side, you can create containers before the actual receipt (for example, based on an ASN) and link these "containers to receive" to a purchase order.

At the time of receipt, post the receipt from the purchase order. The container can then be transferred to a warehouse container.

## Steps - Scenario 1

1. Make sure an empty container exists in the warehouse to use on this purchase order. Also check that this container is flagged as **Inbound**.
2. In the search box, enter **Purchase Order**, and then choose the related link.
3. From the list, select the correct order.
4. On the **Home** tab, in the **Manage** group, choose **Edit**.
5. On the purchase order header, on the **Navigate** tab, choose **Containers**.
6. Enter the **Container Type Code** and select the correct license plate from the dropdown list. This should be the empty container.
7. In the search box, enter **Containers**, and then choose the related link.
8. From the list, select the correct container. This container should be linked to the purchase order.
9. On the **Home** tab, in the **Manage** group, choose **Edit**.
10. On the **Lines** FastTab, fill in the following required fields:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Item No. | Enter the item number of the item you want to put in the container. |
| Variant Code | Specify the variant code if applicable. |

1. If the item is lot-controlled, on the **Lines** FastTab, select the line and then choose **Assign Lot No.**
2. Fill in the following additional fields:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Quantity | Enter the quantity. |
| Unit of Measure | Change the standard UOM of the item if necessary. |
| Quantity (Alt.) | If the item is a catch weight item, enter the alternate quantity. |

The **Assign Lot No.** functionality creates a lot number on the container line, which is transferred to the purchase line when you confirm the container line.

## Steps - Scenario 2

1. In the search box, enter **Containers**, and then choose the related link.
2. From the list, select an empty container for the correct location or create a new container.
3. Set the **Inbound** flag.
4. On the **Container card**, on the **Process** tab, choose **Assign to Order**.
5. Enter the order type and the order number, then choose **OK**.
6. On the **Lines** FastTab, fill in the following required fields:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Item No. | Enter the item number of the item you want to put in the container. |
| Variant Code | Specify the variant code if applicable. |

1. If the item is lot-controlled, on the **Lines** FastTab, select the line and then choose **Assign Lot No.**
2. Fill in the following additional fields:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Quantity | Enter the quantity. |
| Unit of Measure | Change the standard UOM of the item if necessary. |
| Quantity (Alt.) | If the item is a catch weight item, enter the alternate quantity. |

The **Assign Lot No.** functionality creates a lot number on the container line, which is transferred to the purchase line when you confirm the container line.

For both alternatives, you can create a container with several different items on the lines. The system only checks whether the items and corresponding quantities are available on the purchase order lines or the warehouse receipt lines.

For more information on using and setting up containers, see [About containers](/business-central/docs/bc-about-containers).

## Related

- [About containers](/bc-about-containers.md)
- [Handle multi-item containers](/bc-handle-multi-item-containers.md)