barcode scanner

[Bnfunky5]

I'm making this harder than necessary.  I have the square terminal, an ipad, android phone and looking for the best barcode scanner.  Also, how do you generate a code and link it to the square pos?  Thanks for your patience. 

[HC_Charlie · Accepted solution]

Hello @Bnfunky5 thanks for your question, and welcome to the Square Seller Community, we're glad you're here! The most manual way to create barcodes is to either us a barcode font in a word processing program, or there are websites where you can generate barcodes. I use Online Labels https://www.onlinelabels.com/tools  to create my own barcodes. You'll need to decide on a kind of barcode, and these are determined by what your barcode scanner can read. You can Google the different types and see what will work best for you; some limit your number of characters.

You'll have to decide on the way your "name" your products, or create SKU numbers. This is what you would paste into the barcode creation website. It would use your inputted SKU number/letters and show you a barcode you can download and save. Then this would be used to print labels or a sheet of barcodes.

Now that you have a barcode, you would open your Square Dashboard, or Square POS on your ipad. Go to create or edit an item. Then in the SKU field, click your cursor there, and if your barcode is connected you should be able to scan the printed barcode you created for that particular item. Save your item. Then you should be able to scan that barcode during a checkout, and it would call up that item for sale.

There may be a more automated option if you use Square for Retail Plus, although I've always done it manually.

[Cfrey]

I’m trying to make the decision if I am switching to a barcode system. Do you have to make sure you are in the search box each time before you scan? And still hit add to cart?

[TCSlaguna]

We use Square for Retail Plus, and it saves us a lot of time. 

If you had a Square Stand, I would say use a USB Barcode Scanner. It's extremely reliable. 

Given the hardware you have, you will likely need to use a Bluetooth Barcode Scanner, which I have heard is not as reliable, but it is convenient. 

@HC_Charlie I assume now that iPads have USB-C, you can just connect a USB barcode scanner (using a USB-A to USB-C adapter). So technically sellers don't NEED to have a Square Stand to be able to scan a barcode. 🤔

[Lou8]

@Bnfunky5, thanks for posting 🙂.

The best barcode scanner for your set-up would depend on the hardware and device you plan on using. If you could give me more details about your set-up, I'll be happy to provide more information:

• Do you want to connect your Terminal to the iPad or you Android phone to take payments ?
• What's your iPad model ?
• Do you have a Stand ?
• Are you considering using the Terminal as a standalone ?

In the meantime, you'll find the instructions to link the Terminal with your Point of Sale here. It's also worth checking our list of compatible barcode scanners.

[Candlestore]

@Bnfunky5 ;

There are different definitions of "what the best Barcode Scanner is" . This would be dependent on your Needs.  Now since you are using Square some Scanners may work with your Ipad but not with your Square App.  For example I bought the DS6878 Zebra Scanner.  This is a USB, Bluetooth scanner that works with IOS, PC computers and androids.  Figured great I can use the Bluetooth with Square for inventory on an Android or IOS tablet...... Nope.  The scanner does work with both of these for scanning Barcodes to a text editor or some other programs but because of Square Security features this scanner does not work by Bluetooth to these devices.  The scanner does work as a USB connected device to a Square Stand with Ipad wonderfully.  So I would look at the Scanner Campatibility list to see which scanners work with Square : compatibility/accessories/barcode-scanners 

There are different types of Scanners 1D and 2D scanners.  for simplicity 1d Scanners read basic Barcodes like on most products.  A 2D scanner scans both Vertically and Horizontally for scanning 1D and 2D barcodes.  A 2D Barcode would be like a QR code for example.

Now as @HC_Charlie mentioned how to create a barcode, all you would need to do is Scan an item with a GTIN barcode.  Square will search your items, if the item is not found Square will ask if you want to create the new item and fill in the scanned barcode in the GTIN field.  If you are using your own text for a barcode that has Numbers and Letters for example you can fill that code into the SKU field and then generate the Barcode that is compatible with your scanner.  Place the barcode as a label on your Items and then when a customer bring up that item just scan the barcode.

Depending on the Device Android, Ipad , Terminal you may need to be in the Search box.  For me using the square stand I just need to be on the checkout screen and not in the Search Box.    Look at the Scanner compatibility list and which Device(s) they work with.  One scanner may work with one of your devices but not all of them.  The Ipad in a Square Stand is your easiest format for using a USB scanner which there are a feew more to choose from on the compatibility list.  Also the Ipad can use the native cameras in it for a barcode reader, but are limited to 1D and QR only types of barcodes.