# Fishbowl: "Transaction already processed"

> The transaction cannot be voided because it has been finalized; you must issue a refund instead.

## What it means
You attempted to void a transaction that Fishbowl marks as "processed"—typically a sale that has been settled with a payment processor, closed out at end-of-day, or otherwise locked. Fishbowl prevents voiding of processed transactions because they've already affected the cash register, payment processor, and accounting records. Instead, it directs you to refund the transaction, which reverses the sale while preserving the audit trail.

## What to check
- **Transaction status**: Verify the transaction's current status in Fishbowl. Processed or finalized transactions cannot be voided.
- **Payment status**: Check whether payment has been settled or captured. Settled transactions typically require refunds rather than voids.
- **Date or period**: If the transaction is from a previous business day or closed period, it may be locked against void operations.
- **Refund alternative**: Look for a refund, reverse, or credit memo option instead of void in the Point of Sale module.

---

*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*