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Understanding the Unit Description Field

  • Updated

The Unit Description is an optional field in the ingredient’s vendor product section. It defines a single unit within a product package, such as one croissant in a case of 48, each weighing 3 oz.

You can set the Unit Description to:

  • Match the Pack Size (e.g., “3 oz”)
  • Use a general label (e.g., “each” or “ea”)
  • Leave it blank (reciProfity will default to the Pack Size)

This field supports both ingredient conversions and inventory management, including both count sheets and vendor invoice receiving.

 

Ingredient Conversions

The Unit Description can simplify conversions between units in recipes. For example, if the Pack Size is 3 oz and the Unit Description is also 3 oz, reciProfity treats them as equivalent. See the image below for how this setup appears in reciProfity.

If you change the Unit Description to “ea” and keep the Pack Size as 3 oz, reciProfity understands that 1 “ea” equals 3 oz., as in the image below.

This lets you write recipes using either “1 ea” or “3 oz” and still get accurate cost calculations. This is especially helpful when ingredients like croissants are thought of in terms of servings rather than weight. In the image below, you can see how reciProfity calculates the cost of one croissant when entered as “1 ea.”

 

Inventory Management

The Unit Description field also appears on count sheets and vendor invoices, helping staff understand how to count or receive items—especially when they’re unfamiliar with the packaging. It works together with the “All of this packed in a” field to clearly show how products are packaged and tracked throughout your inventory process.

Let's look at two examples that show how the Unit Description field affects what appears on your count sheets and vendor invoices.

  1. Almonds (5 × 5 lb bags per case)

    If you leave the Unit Description blank, the count sheet will display case / 5 lb. This means staff can count inventory using either full cases or 5-pound increments—where each 5 lb unit represents one bag. See the image below for how this setup appears in the system.

  2. Wine (750 ml bottles per case)

    If you enter “bottle” as the Unit Description, the count sheet will display case / bottle.

    If you leave it blank, it will show case / 750 ml. If your team already understands that 750 ml equals one bottle, there’s no need to change the Unit Description.

    The image below shows how this appears in a typical count sheet.

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