This feature is available in multiple extensions. Portal and Form extensions have a built-in barcode/QR code scanner. Users can search for existing Airtable records by scanning a barcode or QR code. Once they find a record, they can edit it with our integrated record editor. This workflow makes a lot of sense for inventory management.
💡Tip
If simply need to create records with barcode/QR code values using a scanner, you can use our form with its built-in barcode scanner.
Demo
This is a quick demo to see how exactly this works. Scan the included barcode/QR code with your phone and you’ll see the record’s data right away. Both demos use this base.
1. Lookup Records with Scanner
2. Inventory Tracking
Android 11 Notice
We had reports that some Android 11 users had issues with the barcode scanner. Please test the scanner to make sure it works on your device and does not suffer from any issues.
Use Cases
This feature can be useful in a lot of scenarios. You can use it for:
- Inventory management
- Students/attendees check-in
Supported Barcode Types
• Code 128
• EAN, EAN 8
• Code 39, Code 39 VIN
• Codebar
• UPC, UPC-E
• i2of5, 2of5
• Code 93
Supported Mobile Browsers
iOS
Safari 11+
Android
▪ Chrome 59+
▪ Firefox 55+
▪ Samsung Internet 7+ ▪ Opera 46+
Troubleshooting
Chrome on iOS isn’t scanning barcode, why?
Safari is the only browser that can have access to the camera on iOS devices. Apple doesn’t allow live scanning with third-party browsers. Live scanning will only work in Safari. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get around that limitation. Apple does not allow Chrome (or any other browser) to have that feature. So we recommend that you switch browsers. you can find a full list of supported mobile browsers above.
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 to save my answer?
In the iOS Safari app click on the website settings icon at the upper left corner. Then click ‘Camera’ > ‘Allow’.
My QR code is generated with miniExtensions. And when I’m searching with that QR code, it is not showing any record. What should I select the “lookup field”? I have QR code image as an attachment.
You can only look up values in Airtable. You cannot look up images. You should select the field that contains the QR code value (you should have one). The look up functionality cannot be used to look up QR code images in attachment fields. It can be used to match a scanned QR code with a value that already exists in Airtable. e.g. text, number, URL, etc.
I would like each record to have a URL of sorts. How is it possible to get the record URL to then be attached to a QR code?
If you want users to preview an Airtable record when they scan a QR code with their device’s camera, then you would need to use 2 extensions:
Step 1: record previewer.
Step 2: convert the records URLs into QR codes.