FAQ# 968: How do I configure my barcode scanner to leave off the final digit of my UPC barcodes?

Question

How do I configure my barcode scanner to leave off the final digit of my UPC barcodes?

Answer

The final digit of a UPC barcode is also known as the check digit. Depending upon your software configuration and personal preference, you may wish to discard this digit when scanning barcodes. How you configure this depends on the barcode scanner you have. See the following instructions for popular kinds of barcode scanners. For anything not listed below, please contact our support staff at 1-800-903-6571, and we will be happy to help! (Please note: You should be able to scan all of the following configuration barcodes directly on your screen with imager-based barcode scanners; you will, however, need to print the relevant pages for laser-based barcode scanners.)

For modern Honeywell barcode scanners (e.g. 1200g, 1300g, 1400g): Use the manual for the Honeywell 1300g (which will work with most modern Honeywell scanners) and scan the Off barcode from the UPC A Check Digit section on page 6-23. If you wish to disable the check digit for the shorter UPC-E barcode symbology, scan Off from the UPC E0 Check Digit section on page 6-29.

For older Honeywell/Metrologic scanners (e.g. Voyager MS9500, Fusion MS3780, etc.): Use the MetroSelect Single-Line Configuration Guide and scan Do Not Transmit UPC-A Check Digit on page 45. If you wish to disable the check digit for the shorter UPC-E barcode symbology, scan Do Not Transmit UPC-E Check Digit from the same page

For Motorola (formerly Symbol) barcode scanners: Use the LS2208 configuration manual (which works for most Motorola/Symbol scanners) and scan Do Not Transmit UPC-A Check Digit on page 12-13. If you wish to disable the check digit for the shorter UPC-E barcode symbology, scan Do Not Transmit UPC-E Check Digit from the same page.

For all other barcode scanners, the procedure is similar: Locate the configuration manual for the barcode scanner, and disable the UPC A (or UPC E) check digit by scanning the relevant barcode. If you cannot locate the configuration manual on the product page at the POSGuys.com website, you can also find configuration manuals at manufacturer websites. If you have any difficulty, again, please call our support staff at 1-800-903-6571 for assistance.

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