Barcode scanning and labels
Find an item with your camera or a typed code, adjust stock where allowed, and print unit labels.
Inventory Tracking supports finding an item by scanning a unit barcode from Search. You can also type a code, choose between matches, open the item, and use permitted stock controls without leaving the scan result.
Put the code on the correct unit
Barcodes belong to units of measurement. A single item can have one code on its individual unit and another on its case. Storing the code on the matching unit keeps the pack information attached to the item.
The item's Barcode field reflects its base unit's barcode. For case or pack codes, open Units of measurement and edit that unit's Barcode.
A code identifies stock you already track in the workspace. Scanning does not look up an unknown product in an external catalog or automatically create its name, supplier, and unit conversion.
- Open an item and its Units of measurement.
- Choose the unit that physically carries the barcode.
- Enter the existing code exactly, including leading zeros, or choose Generate internal code for an internal label.
- Save the unit settings and the item changes as required by the editor.
- Check the unit conversion and default roles before using the item in stock work.
Scan or enter a barcode
The scanner supports common retail and inventory formats, including UPC, EAN, Code 128, Code 39, and QR codes. A readable code still needs a matching barcode stored in the workspace.
If no match is found, use Scan again or Search instead. Search can help locate an item by another identifier while you verify the stored barcode.
- Open Search and choose Scan a barcode.
- Allow camera access when your browser requests it, then point the camera at the code.
- If the camera is unavailable or the label is difficult to read, enter the code manually and choose Look up.
- When one item matches, review its name, SKU, and on-hand information.
- If several matches use the code, choose the correct item and unit from the list.
- Choose Open item for the full record or Scan next to continue.
Adjust stock from the result
When your role has manual stock adjustment access, a found item shows the same stock editor used in item details. You can add stock, edit an entry, or remove stock while checking the associated location and batch.
Scanning by itself does not increase, decrease, receive, or count stock. You still choose the action, quantity, unit, location, and reason. Review the unit shown by the stock editor even when you scanned a case label.
Use the related operational workflow when you need its document history. For example, a supplier delivery belonging to a purchase order should be received against that order, and a structured inventory count should be entered on the count.
If your role cannot adjust stock, the result explains that limit and still offers Open item where you have record access.
Print a barcode label
The label renderer chooses a valid UPC or EAN format for compatible retail codes and uses Code 128 for other supported text codes, including generated internal codes.
Generate internal code creates a Matte identifier for internal use. It does not register a retail product code or issue a licensed GTIN. Use the product's appropriate retail identifier when that is required.
Label printing operates on one unit per job. The current dialog is a simple label preview and copy count rather than a full sheet-layout or batch-label designer.
- Open the item's Units of measurement and make sure the desired unit has a barcode.
- Choose Print label for that unit.
- Review the label preview, including item name, SKU, unit name, and code.
- Set Copies between 1 and 100.
- Choose Print and use your browser's print dialog to select a printer or save a PDF.
Resolve common scanning problems
Barcode scanning and label printing depend on the barcode feature included in the workspace plan. If scanning is locked, Search instead provides an alternate route to records you can access.
- Camera access failed. Check browser camera permission and whether another application is using the camera. Manual code entry remains available.
- No item matches. Compare the stored unit barcode with the label. Preserve leading zeros and make sure the code is on the intended unit.
- Several matches appear. Choose the item and unit that match the physical stock, then review duplicate identifiers if they were unintended.
- Print label is unavailable. Add a barcode to the unit first and check the workspace's barcode feature availability.
- Stock controls are missing. Manual stock editing requires inventory.manual_adjust. Scanning access alone does not grant it.