Forum Discussion
Integrate QR or Barcodes into Excel for Ongoing Data Entry into a Single Row?
Integrate QR or Barcodes into Excel for Ongoing Data Entry (No Code Needed)
Content:
You can use QR or barcode scanners in Excel without any coding. Here’s a simple setup:
✅ How It Works
- Use a scanner that behaves like a keyboard (USB or Bluetooth).
- Scan the item’s ID first to select the row.
- Move the cursor across columns and scan data points one-by-one. Excel enters scanned data into the active cell.
✅ Excel Sheet Setup Tips
- Format your sheet as a Table.
- Freeze the top row for clarity.
- Apply filters or conditional formatting to highlight current row.
- Train users to scan the ID first, then fill in fields by scanning in order.
- Optionally, use one input cell and encode data as “ID | Field | Value”.
✅ Recommended QR Code Generators (No Scan Limits)
- QR Code Generator
- QRCode Monkey
- Scanova
- QR Code Maker by Simple Design Ltd
- Zint Barcode Studio (Offline)
✅ Hardware & App Options
- USB or Bluetooth scanners: Zebra, Honeywell, or generic
- Mobile apps work too if hardware scanners aren't available
⚠️ Limitations
- Manual navigation between cells required (unless using formulas or VBA).
- Works best when data is scanned in a consistent order.
I'm happy to share an Excel example that uses formulas to automatically route data.