How can i communicate that certain element of a data-record is only available in newer versions of the data?

Question

I have an ERP system which manages invoices. That system didn't store the inventory, items where taken from, for a specific invoice prior to a specific version, so for all invoices created earlier this data can't be displayed.

I'm not sure how i should present this circumstance to the user.

• Idea 1, skip it:

  Name:      John Doe 
  Date:      27. May. 1966
  Items:     ...
             ...
             ...
  

• Idea 2, empty fields:

  Name:      John Doe 
  Date:      27. May. 1966
  Inventory:
  Items:     ...
             ...
             ...
  

• Idea 3, generic "n/a":

  Name:      John Doe 
  Date:      27. May. 1966
  Inventory: N/A (or "not available")
  Items:     ...
             ...
             ...
  

• Idea 4, explanation:

  Name:      John Doe 
  Date:      27. May. 1966
  Inventory: This data only available for invoices made after (version|date)
  Items:     ...
             ...
             ...
  

• Idea 5: Display N/A and a tooltip containing the lengthy explanation.

Answer 1

This is essentially an error message, so it should follow the simple rules:

• explain what has happened in human language (e.g. "The data is only available before/after DATE")
• provide directions how to resolve it, if any (e.g. "You can request it manually from X.")