---
title: "Barcode Field"
slug: "form-builder-bar-code-reader"
updated: 2026-10-28T14:25:37Z
published: 2026-10-28T14:25:37Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/form-builder-bar-code-reader"
---

> ## 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 Field

The Barcode field lets users scan a barcode or QR code with their device's camera, instead of typing the value. This article covers how to add a Barcode field and configure its settings.

## How the Barcode field works

A Barcode field shows a Scan button in the FastField mobile app. The user scans the code with the camera, and the app saves the decoded value in the field. If a code won't scan, the user can enter the value by hand.

For example, a work order can ask technicians to scan the *Asset Tag* on a piece of equipment. The tag number goes into the submission without any typing errors.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/bar-04-preview-example.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A31%3A41Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A31%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=wtAKWaEczCiEJDpcV3I9WzSEUxWQ%2FAtqDMPnhGCPyJs%3D)

The scanned value can also fill in other fields from a list, like the equipment's name and location. Learn more about how to [set up a barcode scanner with QR codes](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-how-to-set-up-a-barcode-scanner-with-qr-codes).

## Supported code types

| iOS | Android |
| --- | --- |
| UPC-A, UPC-E | UPC-A, UPC-E |
| EAN-8, EAN-13 | EAN-8, EAN-13 |
| Code 39, Code 39 mod 43, Code 93, Code 128 | Code 39, Code 128 |
| Aztec, PDF417 | Interleaved 2 of 5 |
| QR Mode 2 | QR Mode 2 |

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> QR Mode 1 isn't supported.

## Add a Barcode field

1. In the Form Builder, select **Add Fields** in the side bar.
2. Under Scanning, select **Barcode** to add it after the selected field. You can also drag it onto the canvas where you want it.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/bar-01-add-field-panel(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A31%3A41Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A31%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=wtAKWaEczCiEJDpcV3I9WzSEUxWQ%2FAtqDMPnhGCPyJs%3D)

The field appears on the canvas as *Barcode Field*, and its field settings open on the General tab.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/bar-02-new-field-settings(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A31%3A41Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A31%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=wtAKWaEczCiEJDpcV3I9WzSEUxWQ%2FAtqDMPnhGCPyJs%3D)

1. In **Field Label**, enter the question users see, for example *Asset Tag*.
2. To make sure every submission has a value, turn on **Required Field**.

## Configure the field

Use the General, Behavior, and Appearance tabs in Field Settings to control how the field works.

| Tab | Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General | Field Label | The question users see on the form |
| General | Field Key | The key that identifies the field in submissions, rules, and calculations |
| General | Default Value | Fills in the field each time a user starts the form |
| General | Required Field | Users must scan or enter a value before they can submit the form |
| Behavior | Hide Field | Hides the field in the app |
| Behavior | Hide Field Label | Shows the field without its label |
| Behavior | Exclude From Reports | Leaves the field's value out of reports. The value stays in the submission data |
| Behavior | Enabled | When off, the field is grayed out and users can't change it |
| Behavior | Capture GPS Location | Records the GPS coordinates from when the field was last changed |
| Behavior | Capture Timestamp | Records the date and time the field was last changed |
| Appearance | Background Color | Gives the field a color. Learn more about [alert types](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-alert-type-field-colors) |

Select **Save Draft** to save your changes. Users see them after you select **Publish**.

## Set up the field with the Assistant

You can also ask the Assistant to add a Barcode field or change its settings.

1. Select **Assistant** in the side bar.
2. Describe what you want, for example *Add a barcode field called Asset Tag after Work Order ID and make it required*.
3. Send the message.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/bar-05-assistant.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T01%3A31%3A41Z&se=2026-10-30T02%3A31%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=wtAKWaEczCiEJDpcV3I9WzSEUxWQ%2FAtqDMPnhGCPyJs%3D)

The Assistant can add, rename, and move the field, and make it required. It can't set up the lookup mappings that fill in other fields. Learn more about [lookup mappings](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-use-lookup-mappings-to-auto-populate-fields-with-data).

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> Assistant changes aren't saved until you select **Save Draft**.

## What's next

- [Set up a barcode scanner with QR codes](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-how-to-set-up-a-barcode-scanner-with-qr-codes)
- [NFC Reader field](/fastfield/docs/en/nfc-reader)
- [Field type overview](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-field-type-overview)