Solved: fill a table loading items by barcode

Gustavo_Eduardo · 07-16-2023 11:26 AM

Hi everyone,

I am creating an inventory control app and I would like to be able to enter items not manually, but by scanning barcodes. Is it possible in AppSheet to fill a table loading items by barcode or QR? Additionally, I have products that do not have barcodes and I would like to be able to create one for each product and have its ID be that code.

Is this possible? If so, how is it done? Do you have any app to see under the hood?

Thanks, Gustavo

WillowMobileSys

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

have its ID be that code.

First, not sure what you mean by ID. So, just in case you meant the ROW KEY, I would strongly recommend not using the barcode as a KEY. Barcodes can and do change over time and will be problematic if they are set as the Key column. They CAN be an additional ID column for the product in another column.

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

Is it possible in AppSheet to fill a table loading items by barcode or QR?

The answer depends on what you mean by "fill". If you mean automatically fill in product details on a scan of the code, this is a process you would need to build.

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

I have products that do not have barcodes and I would like to be able to create one for each product and have its ID be that code.

Barcode or QR codes are typically generated by another service that simply returns to you the generated Image.

In the case of a Barcode, you typically enter the associated code along with the other product details. When you can, you are given the code to use as a lookup in your product table. This code can be used as a ID for the product but as mentioned before I do not recommend setting it as a key.

QR Codes are a bit different - more flexible. They can be embedded with ANY string of text and it varies based on the TYPE of QR Code. Make sure you are using one compatible with AppSheet. It depends on what the QR code is embedded with as to how you would use if. For example, it could be just a code, then it is just a fancy barcode. On the other hand, it MIGHT contain name/value pairs to describe the product. These details would need to be extracted after scanning the code. Quite often, QR Code are URL's to navigate to some website.

I hope this helps!

View solution in original post

WillowMobileSys

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

have its ID be that code.

First, not sure what you mean by ID. So, just in case you meant the ROW KEY, I would strongly recommend not using the barcode as a KEY. Barcodes can and do change over time and will be problematic if they are set as the Key column. They CAN be an additional ID column for the product in another column.

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

Is it possible in AppSheet to fill a table loading items by barcode or QR?

The answer depends on what you mean by "fill". If you mean automatically fill in product details on a scan of the code, this is a process you would need to build.

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

I have products that do not have barcodes and I would like to be able to create one for each product and have its ID be that code.

Barcode or QR codes are typically generated by another service that simply returns to you the generated Image.

In the case of a Barcode, you typically enter the associated code along with the other product details. When you can, you are given the code to use as a lookup in your product table. This code can be used as a ID for the product but as mentioned before I do not recommend setting it as a key.

QR Codes are a bit different - more flexible. They can be embedded with ANY string of text and it varies based on the TYPE of QR Code. Make sure you are using one compatible with AppSheet. It depends on what the QR code is embedded with as to how you would use if. For example, it could be just a code, then it is just a fancy barcode. On the other hand, it MIGHT contain name/value pairs to describe the product. These details would need to be extracted after scanning the code. Quite often, QR Code are URL's to navigate to some website.

I hope this helps!

Gustavo_Eduardo

Hello, I really appreciate your time, as always. You have solved a doubt for me. YES I was referring to the Row ID. I thought that the barcodes of a product like C-Cola were immovable and since you say no, you're right.

Regarding the process, my idea was to get to the supermarket, scan the barcode, add it, and have it automatically fill out a purchase detail table. But I think that's impossible for someone with limited knowledge like mine.

Anyway, I have created a way that is quite practical for me and it is to categorize, subcategorize and name particular supplies and articles that allow me to navigate from the general to the particular until I manage to load the article.

I am going to mark your post as a solution since at the moment I suppose that I will not be able to address the problem.

WillowMobileSys

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

I thought that the barcodes of a product like C-Cola were immovable

Not exactly but for Internationally sold products it would be a supplier nightmare if those barcodes changed all the time. For these products you would be relatively safe.

@Gustavo_Eduardo wrote:

Regarding the process, my idea was to get to the supermarket, scan the barcode, add it, and have it automatically fill out a purchase detail table.

I just want to be clear. You CAN do this but you would need to either:

1) build out your own inventory table with all the products and details you wish to provide once the barcode is scanned - e.g, Name, Description, Unit, Price, etc.

OR

2) use an external service - There are external pay API services your app can call into to perform the barcode lookup and retrieve the product details. You would need to build that API automation. Do a search on "barcode lookup" if interested.

Gustavo_Eduardo

probably (for my case) it may not be something necessary. Thanks for making me see this!!