# Fishbowl: Cannot change part average cost

> The system won't allow editing a part's average cost in its current state.

## What it means
Fishbowl locks average costs automatically once transactions involving a part are posted or completed. The system calculates and maintains this value based on actual transaction history. You're trying to manually edit an average cost in a state where the system won't allow it.

## What to check
- Is the part involved in any posted or completed transactions (purchases, receipts, or inventory adjustments)?
- Verify whether the relevant accounting period or fiscal window is closed or locked.
- Check whether you should be recalculating average cost from actual transactions rather than editing it directly.
- Confirm the part status—completed or archived parts typically have locked costs.

---

*From Israel Lopez Consulting (ILC). Custom Fishbowl Inventory integrations and software, and Fishbowl experts since 2015. Written by Israel Lopez. Questions about this topic, or want to reach the people who wrote it? Visit https://israellopezconsulting.com/contact*