Plugin Support
Fernando a11n
(@fhaps)
Automattic Happiness Engineer
@nigel52 For variable products, the Manage stock option that appears in the inventory tab lets you control inventor at the product level

This means that, if you enable stock there, that stock will be shared across all variations of that product.
On the other hand, if the stock is enabled at the variation level, then that setting will be for each individual variation – not shared across the entire product.
When you you make changes to the product through the Quick Edit button, you are editing settings at the product level – meaning that’s the option from within the Inventory tab.
For more details about Inventory Management on variable products, I’d recommend reading the documentation here.
I hope this helps clarify things.
Fernado
Thanks for the reply..so quick!
Do all of the options you mentioned reduce the stock levels when items are purchased?
Nigel
Plugin Support
Fernando a11n
(@fhaps)
Automattic Happiness Engineer
@nigel52 If you have selected to Manage stock, yes. The difference is at what level will stock be managed – at the product or variation level.
Sorry to be a pain but to clarify
If I have manage stock enabled(in inventory) I can set the stock level at the variant level and it will be reduced when items are purchased.
Can I leave the quick edit manage stock disabled? or will that upset it all?
Nigel
Plugin Support
Fernando a11n
(@fhaps)
Automattic Happiness Engineer
@nigel52 You only need to enable one of the two. Enabling one will disable the other any way.
Thats excellent…many thanks
Nigel