Thanks for getting back to us, @BlessedTT.
You're already on the right track! The steps you shared above are the only way to apply a credit note in QuickBooks Online (QBO). The ability to add it before sending the invoice is currently unavailable.
I can see how this option would be helpful for you, and I'll take note of this. Our Product Engineers are always looking for ideas to consider on how to improve QBO. In the meantime, I recommend visiting our Blog site. This is where we share recent happenings and future developments, such as updates to newly added features.
To learn more about applying and managing credit notes in QBO, consider checking out this article: Create and apply credit notes or delayed credits in QuickBooks Online.
Please know that I'm only a post away if you have any additional questions or concerns. I'll be happy to answer them. Have a great day!
