---
title: "Customers, Suppliers & Both"
description: Understand the three contact types in vFile and how to add and manage them.
url: "https://tecniforge.com/docs/vfile/vfile-contacts/customers-suppliers-both/"
updated: "2026-09-01"
category: vFile / Contacts
---

# Customers, Suppliers & Both

## Contact types

Every party you deal with is a **contact**. vFile has three types:

- **Customer** — someone you sell to.
- **Supplier** — someone you buy from.
- **Both** — a party who is a customer *and* a supplier at the same time. Their sales and purchases are tracked together in one account.

The **Both** type is common for traders and dealers who buy from and sell to the same person. vFile keeps a single, correct running balance combining both sides.

## Adding a contact

1. Go to [vfile.app/contacts/create](https://vfile.app/contacts/create) (or open the list at [vfile.app/contacts](https://vfile.app/contacts)).
2. Choose the contact type, then enter name, business name, mobile and address.
3. Set optional details: **credit limit**, **pay term**, default [price group](https://tecniforge.com/docs/vfile/vfile-products-inventory/selling-price-groups/) and opening balance.

## Balance direction

- A **debit (DR)** balance means the contact owes your company — the company will **receive**.
- A **credit (CR)** balance means your company owes the contact — the company will **pay**.

## Worked example

You deal with *Sadiq Traders*, who both buy seed from you and supply you empty bags. You want one clean account.

1. You add *Sadiq Traders* as a **Both** contact.
2. You sell them ₨100,000 of seed — this is charged to their account (they owe you).
3. Later you buy ₨40,000 of bags from them — this is credited to the same account (you owe them).
4. Their ledger nets the two sides: Sadiq now owes you ₨60,000, shown as a single DR balance — no need for two separate accounts.

## What this affects

- **One combined ledger** — for a Both contact, sales and purchases share a single running balance, so you always see the true net position.
- **Sales and purchases** made to this contact post to their [Partner Ledger](https://tecniforge.com/docs/vfile/vfile-payments-ledger/partner-ledger-overview/).
- Creating a contact alone changes no figures — activity begins with their first sale, purchase, opening balance or advance.

## Frequently asked questions

**Someone is both my customer and my supplier — do I add them twice?**
No. Add them once as a **Both** contact, and vFile keeps a single combined balance for both sides.

**What does DR and CR mean on a contact?**
DR means they owe you (you will receive); CR means you owe them (you will pay).

**Can I set a credit limit?**
Yes. Set a credit limit on the contact so you are warned when their dues get too high.

## Related guides

- [Contact Opening Balance](https://tecniforge.com/docs/vfile/vfile-contacts/contact-opening-balance/)
- [Advance Payments](https://tecniforge.com/docs/vfile/vfile-contacts/advance-payments-advance-balance/)
- [Partner Ledger](https://tecniforge.com/docs/vfile/vfile-payments-ledger/partner-ledger-overview/)

---

### Discover more from TecniForge

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.