One of our miniExtensions Form features is the ability to have a barcode (or QR code) scanner in the browser live. It detects the barcode type automatically and allows you to fill barcode fields easily. And it works with cameras on both mobile and desktop devices.
Features
- Supports scanning in both:
- Barcodes fields
- Linked records fields.
- Scanning in a linked record field would:
- Lookup an exiting linked record
- Create a new linked record.
- Opens device camera automatically upon page load.
- An option to submit the form automatically after each successful scan.
Demo
This extension generates a URL for your form that can be shared.
Troubleshooting
The browser is asking for my permission to access my camera, should I allow it?
In order for the barcode scanner to work, you have to click ‘Allow’.
Do I have to click “Allow” every time? Is there a way save my answer?
In iOS Safari app click on the website settings icon at the upper left corner. Then click ‘Camera’ > ‘Allow’.
If you click on the sample view below, you’ll see the table that’s used for the demo above.
It would be much better if it was possible to create a new record on scan rather than by pressing ‘Save’ (if we have e.g. 50 items to scan, creating record on scan would be many times faster)
We realize that scanning many barcodes rapidly requires an efficient automated process. We do support an ‘auto-submit’ feature. Which allows you to automatically submit forms after each scan. You can find the option when you go to a barcode field settings (screenshot attached). This should make the process of scanning multiple barcodes faster.
I want to allow people to use a QR code scanner, but also to allow adding a text instead.
It’s possible to input the value of barcode or QR code manually if it’s not available/scannable. You can find the new option when you try to scan a barcode. You would see the option ‘manual’ that users can use to input the data manually.
How would you suggest we go about creating an inventory system using your database and airtable?
The actual design of the inventory system should be done inside Airtable. You can use miniExtensions Form to scan products to check them in and out. Our customers usually let their employees use the form as a barcode scanner.