# Return lists

Return list fields, status flow, and line status values.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/reference/return-lists/
Updated: 2026-10-29

A **Return List** instructs an operator to collect tools or items from a machine, a Warehouse Access Point, or a completed Pick List, and bring them back into storage. Like Pick Lists, Return Lists live in the Inventory module (**Inventory → Return Lists**), since returning stock is a warehouse operation shared by every module.

## Document fields

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| **Number** | Auto-generated identifier. |
| **Source** | The Machine, Warehouse Access Point, or Picklist the items are being collected from. |
| **Warehouse Access Point** | The WAP the items are being returned to. |
| **Status** | See [Status flow](#status-flow) below. |

## Line fields

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| **Item / Tool** | The item or serialized piece being returned. For a serialized piece, the serial rows show its current Condition, which a return doesn't change (see [Serialized Items Reference](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/inventory/reference/serialized-items/)). |
| **Quantity** | Number of units being returned. |
| **Destination** | The storage location the item is routed to. On a return list started from a tool, Tooling Metrics prefills it from the item's stock rule for the returned pieces' condition — see [Destination prefill](#destination-prefill) below — but it can be overridden manually. |
| **Line Status** | See [Line status values](#line-status-values) below. |

## Destination prefill

A return list started from a tool, from the tool's **Items List** tab or at a WAP terminal, prefills each line's destination with the location of the item's [stock rule](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/inventory/reference/stock-rules/) at the return list's Warehouse Access Point whose condition matches the returned pieces.

A cutting edge item goes by its cutting edge's condition:

| Cutting edge condition | Prefilled stock rule |
|---|---|
| **Used** | Used |
| **Pre-warning**, **Warning**, **Expired** | For service |
| **Broken** | For scrap |
| **Uncut** | Unused |
| **Unknown** | Used |

Any other serialized item goes by each piece's condition:

| Serialized item condition | Prefilled stock rule |
|---|---|
| **Used** | Used |
| **Need service** | For service |
| **Scrapped** | For scrap |
| **Brand new** | Brand new, or Unused if the item has no Brand new rule |
| **Refurbished** | Refurbished, or Unused if the item has no Refurbished rule |

- An item that is both serialized and a cutting edge item goes by its cutting edge's condition.
- Any other item goes to its Used rule.
- Pieces of different conditions go on separate lines.
- When several rules match, Tooling Metrics fills each up to its **Max Capacity**, against the location's forecast (on-hand minus pending outgoing plus pending incoming), then the next. Pieces that no matching rule has room for go on a line without a destination.
- When no rule matches, the line has no destination: choose one before you save.
- With **Return List** checked under **Restrict storage locations base on item condition and stock rules** (see [Preferences](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/admin/reference/preferences/)), the destination list offers the locations of the item's Used, For service and For scrap rules, plus the Unused, Brand new or Refurbished location a line was prefilled with. From the tool's page, an item with no Used, For service or For scrap rule at the Warehouse Access Point can't be returned.

## Status flow

| Status | Set by | Description |
|---|---|---|
| **Draft** | — | Lines are being added. No inventory impact. |
| **Waiting** | Mark as Todo | Requested, but at least one line isn't fully available to return yet. |
| **Ready** | Mark as Todo or Check Availability | Every line is ready to be returned. |
| **Done** | Validate | Confirmed. Items move from In Circulation back into inventory at their destination locations. Returning tools from a Machine also opens the **Record cutting edge usage** step — see [Record tool runtime](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/production/guides/record-runtime/). |
| **Cancelled** | Cancel | Discarded. No inventory impact. |

## Line status values

| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| **Waiting** | Not yet confirmed as returned. |
| **Partial Available / Available** | Reserved to return, in full or in part. |
| **Done** | Returned — set automatically for every available line when the return list is validated. |
| **Cancelled** | Line discarded with the return list. |

## Returning at the WAP

As with Pick Lists, the physical placement — walking the item to its destination and confirming — happens at a ToolingMetrics WAP terminal, using the same Mark as Todo / Check Availability / Validate actions shown on the terminal's screen.