Purchase Order Number Generator

WHAT IT DOES

Purchase Order Number Generator is a browser extension that automatically scans the current webpage for purchase order fields, PO number inputs, order forms, and procurement documents. It detects PO-related form elements by examining class names, IDs, name attributes, and placeholder text for keywords like "po", "purchase", "order", or "po number". The extension adds a floating "generate PO" button (🔢) next to each detected PO field, allowing you to generate sequential PO numbers based on customizable templates. Clicking the button opens a panel where you can configure the PO number template (prefix + sequential number, date-based, or custom format with year-month and sequential counter), preview the generated number, apply it directly to form fields, copy it to your clipboard, and add notes about vendor details, order status, or approvals. The extension maintains a PO number database with generation history, assigned vendors, and notes for each generated PO. The main panel displays all generated PO numbers with vendor names, timestamps, and notes. All data is stored locally in your browser using GM_setValue, ensuring your PO history persists across page reloads and browser sessions. This helps procurement teams, purchasing managers, and anyone who needs to generate and track purchase order numbers consistently across different systems and forms.

WHERE IT RUNS

This extension runs on any webpage that displays purchase order fields, PO number inputs, order forms, or procurement documents – including procurement systems, ERP platforms, purchase order forms, order management systems, and any page containing PO number input fields. The extension intelligently adapts to different page structures and supports a wide range of common form display patterns. No manual configuration is required per site; the extension automatically detects PO fields using a flexible pattern matching system. This makes it ideal for procurement professionals, purchasing teams, and anyone who needs to generate PO numbers in procurement workflows.

HOW TO USE

Simply install the extension and navigate to any webpage with a PO number field or purchase order form. The extension automatically detects PO fields and places a small "generate PO" button (🔢) next to each one. Click any of these buttons to open the PO generation panel. Configure your PO number template by setting the prefix, choosing a format (Prefix + Number, Date-based, or Custom), and setting the starting number. Click "Generate PO" to preview the next sequential number. Click "Apply to Form" to automatically fill the PO number field in the form – the extension properly dispatches input and change events to ensure compatibility with React, Vue, and other modern frameworks. Click "Generate & Copy" to copy the PO number to your clipboard without applying it to a form. Add vendor and note information to track each PO. A floating button (📄) appears in the bottom-right corner of the page – click this to open the main panel. The main panel shows all generated PO numbers, sorted by most recent entry, with PO number, vendor, entry count, and latest note displayed. Use the settings section to enable or disable auto-detection and set default prefix and starting number values. The "Clear All POs" button removes all tracking data when needed.

ONE TECHNICAL SECTION – WHY IT WORKS

The extension employs a multi-layered detection system that identifies PO number fields with high accuracy. First, it scans the DOM using a comprehensive set of CSS selectors targeting common PO-related class patterns, IDs, name attributes, and placeholder text. The detection algorithm uses a weighted scoring system where each matching selector contributes to a confidence score – a field with multiple matching selectors (class, name, and placeholder) receives a higher confidence score. The extension prioritizes visible form elements over hidden ones, ensuring it identifies the fields the user is actively interacting with. The PO number generation uses a sequential counter system that scans existing PO numbers in the local database to determine the next number in sequence. Three generation formats are supported: prefix-number (simple sequential with prefix), date-based (prefix + YYMMDD + 3-digit sequence), and custom (prefix + YYYY-MM + 4-digit sequence). When applying a generated PO number to a form field, the extension uses the native setter for the input element and dispatches both "input" and "change" events, ensuring that React and Vue applications recognize the value change and update their state accordingly. A MutationObserver detects dynamic content updates and re-scans only when new form elements appear, balancing real-time accuracy with system performance.

THE PANEL – DRAG / PER-SITE POSITION / SNAP / COLLAPSE / RESIZE / ESCAPE

The PO number generation panel includes a draggable title bar, allowing you to position it anywhere on screen for convenient access during procurement workflows. The extension remembers your preferred position per website, so the panel opens in the same location each time you return to that domain. The panel supports snap-to-edge behavior – when dragged near screen edges, it gently snaps into place for a tidy workspace layout. You can collapse the panel down to just its title bar by clicking the collapse button, keeping it accessible without taking up screen space. The PO history and settings are contained within a scrollable body, ensuring all content remains accessible even on smaller screens. Pressing the Escape key closes the panel instantly, returning you to your procurement workflow.

PLEASE NOTE

This extension requires the free BotGentz extension to be installed and enabled, as it relies on BotGentz's userscript injection and GM_* API shims for cross-browser compatibility. Websites frequently update their HTML structures and class names, which may cause PO field detection to break temporarily – we actively maintain the matching patterns and release updates regularly. The extension stores all PO data, generation history, vendor names, and notes exclusively in your local browser storage (GM_setValue); no data is ever transmitted to any external server or third party. You are responsible for backing up your PO history data if you switch browsers or clear your storage. The extension does not read, modify, or interfere with any procurement systems, form submissions, or site functionality – it operates solely on the static page content and stores only metadata (PO numbers, vendor names, and notes) that you explicitly create. Use this tool responsibly for internal procurement and purchase order management purposes.