# Scanning Barcodes **URL:** \ **Category:** Ignition\ **Tags:** vision\ **Created:** [August 13, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595 "2024-08-13T14:38:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dustin\_VanKeuren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@Dustin\_VanKeuren](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Dustin_VanKeuren)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/1 "2024-08-13T14:38:43Z")
I know I can scan into an in-focus text field. This works fine. However, I would rather this work without the field being in focus. The operators are not going to like having to click on the field before scanning the barcode. I am wondering if there is a way around this other than the Sepasoft barcode module. Buying a module is not an option. Can I catch key strokes at the root container level? I did not see any events for that. I honestly can not see any way to force the text box in focus without disabling everything on the screen until a barcode is scanned. Not happy the Perspective has a component included but Vision does not. ---
**Author:** ![Matrix\_Engineering](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/matrix_engineering/32/19781_2.png) [@Matrix\_Engineering](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Matrix_Engineering)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/2 "2024-08-13T14:47:56Z")
> [@Gain focus on a numeric text field when barcode enters a value](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gain-focus-on-a-numeric-text-field-when-barcode-enters-a-value/49403): > > Hello everyone, For a project, I have a barcode and multiple numeric entry text fields on my screen. Currently, the barcode is entering the value into whatever numeric entry box I am in by clicking the mouse on it. However, I want to be able to choose the tag the barcode should enter a value in. The operator might not even have access to a screen or a mouse. I know that there is a way to do this in Ignition? (Both in vision and perspective) but not sure about it. [https://docs.inductiveautoma…](https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/display/DOC81/Focus+Manipulation) p.s; it is against forum etiquette to start multiple topics on the same subject. ---
**Author:** ![Dustin\_VanKeuren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@Dustin\_VanKeuren](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Dustin_VanKeuren)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/3 "2024-08-13T15:20:16Z")
Well, that does not answer my question. That only shows me how to focus a textbox when the screen opens. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/4 "2024-08-13T15:20:26Z")
You tagged this with both Vision and Perspective. Which one do you need a solution for? (Fix your tag.) ---
**Author:** ![dkhayes117](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/dkhayes117/32/68344_2.png) [@dkhayes117](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/dkhayes117)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/5 "2024-08-13T17:40:24Z")
This thread would be good to read. [Factory Wide Multi Barcode Scanner Setup - Discussion/Feedback - Ignition - Inductive Automation Forum](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/factory-wide-multi-barcode-scanner-setup-discussion-feedback/74666) ---
**Author:** ![Dustin\_VanKeuren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@Dustin\_VanKeuren](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Dustin_VanKeuren)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/6 "2024-08-13T18:02:36Z")
no idea how perspective was added as a tag, I did not select it. I am using Vision. ---
**Author:** ![dkhayes117](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/dkhayes117/32/68344_2.png) [@dkhayes117](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/dkhayes117)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/7 "2024-08-13T18:04:20Z")
I fixed the post tag for you ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/8 "2024-08-13T18:19:50Z")
For Vision, you have multiple approaches: - Use the scanner in keyboard wedge mode, and arrange to have focus in the correct field before scanning. - Use the scanner in keyboard wedge mode, but use Sepasoft's Barcode Scanner module to intercept barcodes based on a prefix, sending the result where you like. - Use the scanner in keyboard wedge mode, but roll your own application-wide keystroke interceptor via java Swing "under the hood". - Use the scanner in USB Serial Port emulation mode, and run a long-lived thread to monitor the serial port. Typically delivering scanned values to a Vision Client tag, from which you can bind or trigger other events. Related discussion, with more links: > [@Sepasoft Barcode scanner configuration](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/sepasoft-barcode-scanner-configuration/91607): > > Hi team, I have installed the Sepasoft Barcode Scanner module in Vision for an application. I need to configure it so that the scanned data can be retrieved without requiring the user to manually focus on the input field. I have successfully tested this with a Newland scanner using a prefix (preamble: \u0021) and it worked well. However, the customer wants to use various scanners like Zebra, Honeywell, and Rugtec, with barcodes containing only text and no prefix or suffix. I am not very famil… ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Frantz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@Michael\_Frantz](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Michael_Frantz)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/9 "2025-01-16T23:21:37Z")
I went a different way. I used a serial bar code reader and connected it to a Serial to Ethernet converter. I added a TCP Driver under Device Connections to dump data into tags. I then added event scripts to act on the data and cause SQL logging, etc. for the ValueChanged event This way, I have low cost bar code readers with no associated PC sending bar code scans directly to Ignition. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/10 "2025-01-17T01:10:04Z")
> [@Michael\_Frantz](#): > > serial bar code reader and connected it to a Serial to Ethernet converter Even better. ---
**Author:** ![kaushik.shah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/34f0e0/32.png) [@kaushik.shah](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/kaushik.shah)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/scanning-barcodes/94595/11 "2025-09-10T07:04:45Z")
@Michael_Frantz , what converter do you use?