Barcode scanners

goshelf doesn’t need a special scanner. A USB or Bluetooth barcode scanner behaves like a keyboard: it “types” the barcode and presses Enter. If a scanner works in a spreadsheet, it works in goshelf.

• USB scanners plug in and work immediately on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Linux.
• Bluetooth scanners pair in your device’s Bluetooth settings, then work the same way — including on an iPad or Android tablet.
• 1D scanners read the ordinary retail barcodes (EAN-13, UPC, Code 128). A 2D scanner also reads QR codes and costs a little more. Either is fine.

• Plug in or pair the scanner.
• Make sure it sends Enter after each scan. Most do by default; if yours doesn’t, scan the “add suffix: Enter / CR” code in its manual.
• Open the till. The cursor sits in the scan field — scan anything and the product appears.
• If a product isn’t found, goshelf says so and offers to add that barcode to a product. Scan once, choose the product, done.

The scan field takes the cursor back after a few seconds of idle, so a stray scan never lands in a quantity box.

Loose items, local goods and repacked stock often have none. Give them one:

• Products → Labels prints barcode labels for any product on a normal A4 sheet or a label printer. goshelf generates the code.
• Or search by name at the till. Type the first few letters and press Enter.
• For products you sell in bulk, keyboard shortcuts on the till are faster than a scan.