Configure QCST Ticket Reference Prefix, Number Padding, and Next Number
This guide walks through the Portal/Ticket Settings fields and explains how references are generated without changing existing references.
Where this fits in QC Support Ticket
Portal and Ticket Settings control cross-cutting behavior such as guest intake, protected attachment policy, ticket reference numbering, display time zone and overdue reporting. These settings affect new ticket behavior or presentation without redefining Department/Agent authorization.
Primary location: Joomla Administrator → Components → QC Support Ticket → Settings → Organization and Ticket Setup.
How to do it
- Open Settings → Portal and Ticket Settings.
- Set the Ticket reference prefix to the short text you want future references to start with.
- Set Number padding for consistent numeric width.
- Set Next ticket number carefully; use a value that will not collide with references already issued.
- Save and create one test ticket. Confirm its new reference follows the configured format while older ticket references remain unchanged.
Field rules that matter
| Setting | Current behavior |
|---|---|
| Ticket reference prefix | Maximum 24 characters; use letters, numbers, hyphen or underscore. |
| Number padding | 1–12 digits. A value of 6 formats the numeric part like 000001. |
| Next ticket number | Applies to the next newly created ticket; changing it does not rewrite references already issued. |
Collision-safe change
Before increasing or resetting the next number, inspect recent ticket references and choose a value that cannot duplicate an existing reference. Changing the prefix/numbering format is best done during a quiet maintenance window so staff know exactly where the numbering transition occurred.
Verify the result
- One newly created test ticket uses the new prefix and zero-padding format.
- Existing ticket references remain unchanged.
- The generated number does not collide with a previously issued reference.
Changing numbering on an established site
If you change the prefix or padding after tickets already exist, QCST does not rewrite those historical references. Staff may therefore see an intentional transition between old and new formats. Document the cutover internally, and avoid reusing a former prefix/number combination that could be confused with an existing ticket in email subjects or support conversations.
Community Discussion
For practical QC Support Ticket workflows and discussion with other Joomla site owners, visit the QC Support Ticket Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.