Using a Barcode Scanner to Search for a Value

[inspiration100]

Hi all,

I have a barcode question for all of you:
I have a huge inventory of fireworks stored in a fireproof room. I'm not allowed to bring my computer in with me when taking inventory because of the C1D1 (flammability) rules in the room.
Thus, I need to have a barcode reader where I scan my firework batch number in the room and the barcode scanner beeps once if the value is anywhere in my excel document (ran from my computer outside the room) and it beeps three times if it is not. A simple Ctl-F search function every time I scan would work. Any idea how I get a barcode scanner to react from the results in an excel table?

This question is partly excel based and partly barcode scanner related. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ray:​

 

[CharlesChuckieCharles]

You will need to find if you have any API (application programmers interface) for the Scanner ( see manufacturers web site) that you can reference in excel ( in the vba window .. tools references somethng that looks like the manufacturers name or the scanners name or mentioned on the website)

Then find out what functions are exposed by this API using F2 and selecting the API

Then look on-line for some of the references to the functions in the API or try an figure out how VBA can reference these functions ... then write the code and test it ( try get a bar code reference not attached to fireworks and sit somewhere comfortable)

Its not a two line answer............. and not a quick fix

 

[inspiration100]

Charles,
Thank you very much for your response, I greatly appreciate it! The good news is that I haven't purchased my scanner yet for this exact reason. The inateck BCST 10 fits my budget and is bluetooth enabled and has two different scanning tones. However, I cannot find any information regarding any API features of this scanner. Do you have any background of barcode scanners that would work with APIs through excel?

Thanks again, everyone's help is very appreciated .

 

[CharlesChuckieCharles]

so if the scanner works with bluetooth there must be some sort of software that comes with it at least to deal with its comms, I haven't done anything with scanners or swipes or mag readers for 20 years so i can't tell you anything about the current world of scanners

 

[inspiration100]

Thanks Charles. Is there a tutorial somewhere explaining how to use function from the VB object library? I did a few quick searches on youtube and didn't find much useful.

 

[inspiration100]

hmm, seems someones useful response got deleted. So barcode scanner LI4278 has an API and is bluetooth, but how does one know if it is bidirectional?

 

[shg]

I've never used a barcode scanner, but everything I've read here and in other forums says that they just kind of work, with minimal setup.

Assuming that's true, then once scans start showing up on a worksheet, you can have code in the worksheet change event that does whatever searching you need to do.

How you hear the beep from a computer in another room, I dunno.

 

[inspiration100]

I've thought about all the scenarios such as having a bluetooth speaker system with a bluetooth scanner, but that seems unnecessary if I can find a 2-way scanner. I ordered a LI4278 and plan to play with it, hopefully it is bidirectional because I can't find any info on that. I really didn't think this would be that hard.