Skip to content
NotionApps Docs

Barcode / QR code scanner

Canonical page for scan on lists and on fields. Product help in the builder points here (not /customize-app/barcode-qr-code-scanner).

What this is / when to use it

Section titled “What this is / when to use it”

Scan lets a user point the camera at a code and jump to a row or fill a field.

Scan type Enum Use when
Barcode BARCODE 1D product / asset codes
QR QR 2D codes you generate
Multi MULTI Either, in one control

Use scan on a list to find and open (or select) the matching row. Use scan on a text field to fill the value.

When not to use it: the property is not the literal code. Scan matches the scanned string to a field value; it does not OCR a photo of a page.

Before you start

Section titled “Before you start”
  1. A text (or unique id-as-text) property stores the code exactly as the barcode encodes it.
  2. Users will scan from a phone with a camera. Desktop support is limited.
  3. The list or field is on a published screen.

Build it

Section titled “Build it”
  1. On a list: open screen settings → Scan → BARCODE / QR / MULTI and pick the match property.
  2. On a text input: enable scan on that component and pick the same type.
  3. Publish. In the live app, tap the scan icon, grant camera permission, scan a known code.

Every control

Section titled “Every control”
Control Options What it does
Scan type BARCODE / QR / MULTI What the camera accepts.
Match property Text-like field List jump target.
Field scan On / off Fills that input.

What users see

Section titled “What users see”

A scan icon. First use asks for camera permission. A match highlights or opens the row, or fills the field. No match shows an empty / not-found state.

Limits and plans

Section titled “Limits and plans”
  • Camera permission is a browser/OS prompt. Denied permission means no scan.
  • Unique id chips are display; bind scan to the underlying text mapping.
  • MULTI is slightly slower to lock. Prefer QR when you control the labels.

Example

Section titled “Example”

Warehouse Update List: scan MULTI on SKU. Clerk scans, the row highlights, they toggle Received.

Fix problems

Section titled “Fix problems”
Symptom Likely cause What to do
No camera Desktop, or permission denied Use a phone. Re-enable camera.
No match Extra spaces, wrong property Store the exact code. Sync.
Help link 404 Old customize-app URL This page is current.
Section titled “Related”

Lists: List (View Items), Update Items.