---
title: "Barcode scanning on mobile forms"
slug: "barcode-scanning-on-legacy-forms-on-mobile"
updated: 2026-04-29T16:15:17Z
published: 2026-04-29T16:15:17Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Barcode scanning on mobile forms

The Quickbase mobile app allows you to scan barcodes (including QR codes) into certain form fields. This article explains how to set up and use barcode scanning on mobile forms.

## Allow barcode scanning for fields

Admins can set up which form fields allow input via barcode when they build forms. Field types compatible with barcode scanning are:

- Text
- Multi-line text
- Numeric
- URL
- Email
- Reference and proxy

To allow barcode scanning for a compatible field type, turn on the **Show barcode scanner** toggle for that field in the **Form Builder** on desktop.

![Screenshot of the "Show barcode scanner" toggle for a field in the Form Builder](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image(70).png)

> [!NOTE]
> Tip
> 
> Include the word barcode in the field name to alert your users that they can scan into this field.

Barcode scanning is available as an input only, and the scanned value must be compatible with the field type (for example, numeric codes for numeric fields).

### Legacy forms

On legacy forms, barcode scanning is automatically available as an option to users on any field with text input. Builders cannot control whether a field allows barcode scanning or not. Searches, parent record pickers, and the following field types all have the barcode scanning option available to users:

- Text
- Text - Multi-line
- Rich Text
- Multi-Select Text
- Numeric – Currency
- Numeric – Percent
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email
- URL

## Barcode types

The following table shows the types of barcodes available for forms on mobile:

| Type | Sample image |
| --- | --- |
| Aztec | ![sample Aztec barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572864623380.png) |
| Code 39 | ![sample code 39 barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572900549780.png) |
| Code 93 | ![sample code 93 barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572879153428.png) |
| Code 128 | ![sample code 128 barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572886911636.png) |
| Data Matrix | ![sample Data Matrix barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572886923540.png) |
| EAN 8 | ![sample EAN 8 barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572864751636.png) |
| EAN 13 | ![sample EAN 13 barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572872894740.png) |
| PDF417 | ![sample PDF 417 barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572864810772.png) |
| QR Codes | ![sample QR code](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572864820756.png) |
| UPC A | ![sample UPC A barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572887030676.png) |
| UPC E | ![sample UPC E barcode](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4572894211092.png) |

## Scan a barcode

When barcode scanning is available for a field, a barcode icon appears in the field (or above the keyboard on legacy forms) in Add/Edit mode.

| ![Screenshot of a non-legacy form that shows the barcode scanning icon within a field labeled Delivery ID](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image-1760631760806.png) Mobile form | ![Screenshot of a legacy form that shows the barcode icon above the keyboard for a field labeled Project name](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image-1760631793733.png) Legacy mobile form |
| --- | --- |

Tap the barcode icon to open the scanner and align your barcode within the frame. The scanner reads the barcode automatically.

> [!NOTE]
> Tip
> 
> If your phone isn't detecting the barcode, try moving your phone up slightly so the barcode is toward the bottom of your screen.