Looking for a way to narrow down item searchs by SKU?

[mybigfinds]

We use our own SKUs (from 2- to 5-digits long but generally 4- or 5-digits) without a scanner and are trying to find a way to have better search results at checkout or when looking for items. For example, searching for a 3-digit SKU in Items returns 20+ results, because with 23k items (don't ask), there will be many results returned (see screen shot search of SKU 350 returning ~30 results).  Is there a way to perform a literal search?  I've tried putting quotes around the SKU (e.g. "350") but it doesn't find the actual SKU, just items with 350 in the name or description.

[JTPets · Accepted solution]

We rely heavily on scanners here. However we are looking st creating a sku for our system over and above gtin so I will follow this thread for learnings.

I could consider adding a z1z or other unique string to the front of them all to ensure you had a unique search term for skus to differentiate between names, skus and descriptions. 

Maybe even in my case it might be z1c for cat products and z1s for small animal

[TCSlaguna · Accepted solution]

Hi @mybigfinds! 

@JTPets beat me to it... 🙂

We use "N" before our SKUs. So we have N3500, N3501, etc

But it will still display 20+ items because N350 will show N3500, N3501, N3502... 

So, as mentioned, we use a barcode scanner. 

23k items! Wow! We are currently at 7500 active and find it hard to keep track... 

[MayaP]

Hello @mybigfinds ,

Thank you for reaching out. I understand how important it is to narrow down the SKU during the checkout process.

In my testing, I could successfully add parentheses to the SKU, and it functions correctly in the Dashboard. However, in the app, it still displays all items. I will tag some super sellers who may provide their insights on this matter: @Candlestore, @JTPets, @dasap1234, @rtfulk, @Twpchair, and @TCSlaguna.

Thank you all for your assistance!

[Twpchair]

I do mine very simple but the same as @MayaP and it's the only way I can get mine to display all items in the app correctly. I tried multiple different versions and this is exactly what I do. I have more custom orders and color orders than anything and this is the best for me to keep track of and add and subtract colors or orders when needed for future orders. I hope this helps. I can once at the store if needed walk you through it step by step. I am not a tech person and had someone send me this and did step 1. And 2. And I got it. 😆 good luck please let me know if you need the secret recipe!

[JTPets · Accepted solution]

We rely heavily on scanners here. However we are looking st creating a sku for our system over and above gtin so I will follow this thread for learnings.

I could consider adding a z1z or other unique string to the front of them all to ensure you had a unique search term for skus to differentiate between names, skus and descriptions. 

Maybe even in my case it might be z1c for cat products and z1s for small animal

[TCSlaguna · Accepted solution]

Hi @mybigfinds! 

@JTPets beat me to it... 🙂

We use "N" before our SKUs. So we have N3500, N3501, etc

But it will still display 20+ items because N350 will show N3500, N3501, N3502... 

So, as mentioned, we use a barcode scanner. 

23k items! Wow! We are currently at 7500 active and find it hard to keep track... 

[Candlestore · Accepted solution]

@mybigfinds ;

I may have 3 ideas for you since you do not use a Scanner.

Ideas

1)  Put your current SKU at the end of the item name.   When searching Square will look in the Item name and SKU area.  Then for your SKU type in something easy to type in for the Item.  example I sell candles so my SKU use to be size then scent.  So my SKU would be 28 French Vanilla for Example... where as the Item name was 28oz French Vanilla.  If I typed in 28 I was given 160+ results but as soon as I put Fr in after the 28 this limited the results to my candles that were 28 and started with Fr.

2) change the SKU to some easy to remember or paste the SKU on the item to type in, also lengthen the SKU.  If you use Square for Retail Square does create an SKU for items with no SKU.  These are 7 characters long of both numbers and letters.  Print small labels that but these SKU's on the items.  The SKU does not have to be just numeric as others stated by adding an 'N'.  My idea would be change the Sku to CANGB  for you candle in the image.  1st letter of each word in the name... maybe add the size at the end.

3) Suggestion as others have mentioned is get a Scanner, or even use the Square Stand and its native camera to read the Barcodes from the Ipads camera.  The screen image you provided is from a computer, which if you use this for sales is even better as you can use most USB scanners I believe.  I learned this by buying a cheap (2019 price of $50) scanner that was cordless but USB powered.  This scanner was not recognized by my Square Stand, but when I use it on a computer with Square it pulls up the items correctly.  So this works for the Search screen you provided and for other square search results on a computer.

4) The other thing is if your items come in with a Barcode, enter that in the gtin field and you can type that number into the search area.

The issue you are running into as you have found out is your current sku is so short 2-5 digits long.  These shorter SKUs can be found in numerous items.  Your example of 350 for a 3 digit SKU could also be found in 4 or 5 digit skus as you pointed out plus for example skus of 43507, 67350.  So by having Square for Retail generate an SKU, the SKU would not be duplicate, would be about 7 characters long, and be both Numbers and Letters randomly placed.  This all adds up to less returned results typing in these random Square generated SKUs.  Square lets you create a SKU up to I believe 30 characters of numbers and letters, this can be too many to type in quickly or remember, but is easy with a scanner.