## Zoho Inventory Documentation Index

Access the complete documentation index at:
https://www.zoho.com/en-ng/inventory/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available documentation pages before proceeding.

# QR Code and Barcode Generation

In Zoho Inventory, you can generate QR codes and barcodes for your items using a variety of item identifiers, such as SKU, EAN, UPC, ISBN, serial numbers, and batch numbers. Once generated, labels can be printed individually from the item’s detail page or in bulk from the Items list. Scanning these labels during transactions allows Zoho Inventory to identify and select items automatically, making stock handling faster and more accurate.

* * *

### Barcode Templates

Barcode templates control the layout and appearance of your printed barcode and QR code labels. Zoho Inventory includes two default templates out of the box:

*   **Barcode Template**: Generates a standard linear barcode displaying the item name and price.
*   **QR Code Template**: Generates a QR code displaying the item name and price.

You can use either default template as-is, or create custom templates to include additional details such as warehouse location, batch number, or custom item fields.

**To enable item barcodes:**

Item barcodes must be enabled before the **Generate Barcode** option appears on item detail pages.

*   Click the **Gear** icon in the top right corner to go to _Settings_.
*   Select **PDF Templates** under _Customisation_.
*   Scroll down in the templates list on the left and select **Item Barcodes**.
*   Click **Enable Item Barcodes**.

Once enabled, the two default barcode templates appear and the **Generate Barcode** option becomes available on all item detail pages.

**To view or manage barcode templates:**

*   Click the **Gear** icon in the top right corner.
*   Select **PDF Templates** under _Customisation_.
*   Select **Item Barcodes** from the templates list on the left.

**To create a new barcode template:**

*   Click **\+ New** in the top right corner.
*   In the **Choose a Template** screen, hover over a template card to reveal customisation options.
*   Click **Default Editor** to use the visual editor, or **Code Editor** to customise using HTML.
*   Select the **Template Language** and click **Use This**.
*   In the template editor, configure settings across two tabs:
    *   **Page Properties** tab:
        *   **Paper Size**: Select the label sheet size (such as A7 or A4), or enter custom dimensions.
        *   **Page Margin**: Set the margin (in mm) around the entire printed page — Top, Bottom, Left, Right.
        *   **Number of Rows** and **Number of Columns**: Set how many labels are arranged per page.
    *   **Template Properties** tab:
        *   **Template Name**: Enter a name for the template.
        *   **Label Margins**: Set the spacing (in mm) between the label edge and its content — Top, Bottom, Left, Right.
        *   **PDF Font**: Select the font used for text on the label.
        *   **Barcode Type**: Select the barcode format (for example, Code 128 for linear barcodes). Click **Apply Recommended Barcode Size** to set dimensions that minimise scanning errors.
        *   **Display Barcode Value**: Enable to print the encoded value as text below the barcode.
        *   **Item Name**, **SKU**, **Item Rate**, **Organisation Name**: Enable each field to include it as a text line on the label.
*   Preview the label using **Label Preview** and the full page layout using **Page Preview**.
*   Click **Save**.

**Note:** If you use a dedicated barcode printer, ensure the template’s paper size and label dimensions match the paper size and label format configured in your printer before printing.

* * *

### Configure Barcode Scanning Field

The barcode scanning field tells Zoho Inventory which item field to match against when a barcode is scanned during a transaction, for example when adding items to a sales order or recording a purchase receive. To ensure items are identified correctly on scan, this field must match the **Barcode Generation Field** you use when generating barcodes.

To configure the barcode scanning field:

*   Click the **Gear** icon in the top right corner.
*   Select **Items** under _Module Settings_ > _General_.
*   Click the **Preferences** tab.
*   Under **Select items when barcodes are scanned using:**, choose the field from the dropdown.

The available options are:

Field

Description

**SKU**

Matches items by their Stock Keeping Unit code.

**ISBN**

Matches items by their International Standard Book Number.

**UPC**

Matches items by their Universal Product Code.

**EAN**

Matches items by their European Article Number. This is the default selection.

*   Click **Save**.

**Insight:** The barcode scanning field and the **Barcode Generation Field** must match. For example, if you generate barcodes using **SKU**, set the scanning field to **SKU** so items are matched correctly when scanned in transactions.

* * *

### Generate Barcode or QR Code

You can generate a barcode or QR code for an item from its detail page. The generated barcode is saved against the item and can be printed at any time until you regenerate it with different settings.

#### Generate for a Single Item

*   Go to the **Items** module under _Items_ from the left sidebar.
    
*   Click the item for which you want to generate a barcode or QR code.
    
*   Click **Generate Barcode** in the top right corner of the item’s detail page.
    
*   In the **Generate Barcode** popup, configure the following:
    
    *   **Template**: Select the label layout. Choose **Barcode Template** to generate a linear barcode, or **QR Code Template** to generate a QR code.
    *   **Barcode Generation Field**: Select the item field whose value will be encoded in the barcode or QR code.
*   Click **Generate & Save**.
    

Once generated, the button in the top right corner changes to **Print Barcode** or **Print QR Code**, depending on the template selected.

**Note:** Clicking **Generate Barcode** again for an item that already has a barcode will regenerate it using the new settings. The previous barcode configuration is replaced.

* * *

#### Barcode Generation Fields

The **Barcode Generation Field** determines the data encoded in the barcode or QR code. Select the field that best fits how you identify and scan items in your workflow:

Field

Description

**Item Name**

Encodes the item’s display name. Use when items are identified by name at the point of scan.

**SKU**

Encodes the item’s Stock Keeping Unit code. Best for organisations using internal item codes.

**EAN**

Encodes the item’s European Article Number. Use for standard retail products with EAN barcodes.

**UPC**

Encodes the item’s Universal Product Code. Use for products with standard UPC barcodes.

**ISBN**

Encodes the item’s International Standard Book Number. Use for books and publications.

**Serial Number**

Encodes a specific serial number. Available only for serial number tracked items.

**Batch Number**

Encodes a specific batch number. Available only for batch tracked items.

**Pro Tip:** For the most consistent scanning experience, use the same field for both barcode generation and the barcode scanning preference in Settings. For example, if your items have EAN codes printed on their packaging, generate barcodes using **EAN** and set the scanning field to **EAN**.

* * *

#### Serial Number Barcodes

For items tracked by serial number, you can generate individual barcodes or QR codes for each serial number. This lets you label individual physical units uniquely and scan them to identify the exact unit during transactions such as delivery or returns.

To generate serial number barcodes:

*   Go to the **Items** module under _Items_ from the left sidebar.
*   Click the serial number tracked item.
*   Click **Generate Barcode** in the top right corner.
*   Select a template under **Template**.
*   Select **Serial Number** under **Barcode Generation Field**.
*   Select one or more serial numbers under **Select Serial Numbers**.
*   Click **Generate & Save**.

A unique barcode is generated for each selected serial number.

**Note:** The **Serial Number** option in **Barcode Generation Field** appears only for items with serial number tracking enabled. To enable serial number tracking, go to **Settings > Items > Preferences** and select **Enable Serial Number Tracking** under _Advanced Inventory Tracking_.

* * *

#### Batch Number Barcodes

For items tracked by batch, you can generate barcodes or QR codes for individual batch numbers. Batch barcodes help identify and move stock through receiving, storage, and dispatch by batch, reducing the risk of mixing or mislabelling.

To generate batch number barcodes:

*   Go to the **Items** module under _Items_ from the left sidebar.
*   Click the batch tracked item.
*   Click **Generate Barcode** in the top right corner.
*   Select a template under **Template**.
*   Select **Batch Number** under **Barcode Generation Field**.
*   Select one or more batch numbers under **Select Batch Numbers**.
*   Click **Generate & Save**.

**Note:** The **Batch Number** option in **Barcode Generation Field** appears only for items with batch tracking enabled. To enable batch tracking, go to **Settings > Items > Preferences** and select **Enable Batch Tracking** under _Advanced Inventory Tracking_.

* * *

### Generate Barcodes in Bulk

You can generate barcodes for multiple items at once from the Items list view. This is useful when onboarding a new product catalogue or refreshing barcode labels across your inventory.

To generate barcodes in bulk:

*   Go to the **Items** module under _Items_ from the left sidebar.
*   Select the checkboxes next to the items for which you want to generate barcodes.
*   Click **Generate Barcode** from the bulk action bar that appears at the top of the list.
*   In the popup, select the **Template** and **Barcode Generation Field**.
*   Click **Generate & Save**.

**Note:** There is a maximum limit on the number of items that can be selected for bulk barcode generation at one time.

* * *

### Print Barcode or QR Code

After generating barcodes, you can print labels individually from the item’s detail page, or print in bulk from the Items list view.

#### Print from Item Detail Page

You can print the barcode or QR code for an item from its detail page and specify the number of label copies to print in a single print job.

To print a barcode or QR code:

*   Go to the **Items** module under _Items_ from the left sidebar.
*   Click the item whose barcode or QR code you want to print.
*   Click **Print Barcode** or **Print QR Code** in the top right corner.

**Note:** The **Print Barcode** or **Print QR Code** button appears only after a barcode has been generated for the item. If the button shows **Generate Barcode** instead, [generate the barcode](/en-ng/inventory/help/items/qrcode-generation.html#generate-single-item) first.

*   In the **Print Barcode** popup, review the configuration:
    
    *   **Associated Template**: The template used when the barcode was last generated.
    *   **Associated Field**: The item field encoded in the barcode.
    *   **Number of Barcode Copies**: Enter the number of label copies to print.
*   Click **Print**.
    

**To update the barcode configuration before printing:**

*   Click **Edit** in the **Print Barcode** popup.
*   Update the **Template** or **Barcode Generation Field** as needed.
*   Click **Generate & Save** to regenerate the barcode with the updated settings.
*   Click **Print** to print the updated labels.

* * *

#### Print Barcodes in Bulk

After generating barcodes for multiple items, you can print all their labels in a single job from the Items list view, without visiting each item’s detail page individually.

To print barcodes in bulk:

*   Go to the **Items** module under _Items_ from the left sidebar.
*   Select the checkboxes next to the items whose barcodes you want to print.
*   Click **Print Barcode** from the bulk action bar that appears at the top of the list.
*   In the popup, enter the number of label copies to print per item under **Number of Barcode Copies**.
*   Click **Print**.

* * *

### Related Pages

*   [Items Overview](/en-ng/inventory/help/items/items-overview.html)
*   [More Actions on Items](/en-ng/inventory/help/items/item-managing.html)