Skip to main content

Basics of barcodes

Discover how Katana simplifies inventory tracking with efficient barcode scanning.

Dayvid Lorbiecke avatar
Written by Dayvid Lorbiecke
Updated this week

Barcodes make inventory management in Katana faster, more accurate, and less error-prone.


They allow you to quickly identify item variants and batch numbers using a barcode scanner — improving efficiency for stocktakes, receiving, material consumption, and more.


Availability

  • Automatically included in Professional plans and an add-on for Standard plans.

  • If items or batches don’t have physical barcode labels, you’ll need to print them first.

Learn more about the different types of barcodes.


Supported workflows

Barcode scanning can be used in multiple Katana workflows:

In Katana Web App

In Shop Floor Control App

In Warehouse App


Enabling barcodes

Settings with the Barcodes area selected
  1. Go to Settings → Barcodes.

  2. Switch the toggle on for the barcode type(s) you want to use.


Generating & managing barcodes

  • Barcodes for items and batches can be generated automatically or entered manually.

  • Multiple barcode numbers can be stored for each item.

  • To add a physical barcode label, select a barcode standard and print the label.


Scanning barcodes

  1. Connect a barcode scanner to your device running the Katana app.

  2. Activate scanning mode or select a barcode field/filter in Katana.

  3. Point the scanner at the barcode and pull the trigger.

  4. Katana matches the barcode to the related item or batch.


Barcode rules & limitations

  • Each internal barcode is linked to a single item variant — no shared barcodes.

  • All internal and batch barcode numbers must be unique (Katana automatically checks for duplicates).

  • Item barcodes appear in the Items screen.

  • Batch barcodes appear in the Batches tab of the Stock screen.

  • Barcodes from archived items cannot be applied to active items.


Result: Once barcodes are enabled and set up, you can streamline receiving, picking, stocktaking, and production reporting — all while reducing manual entry errors.


Your feedback is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts on this article or anything in Katana you'd like to see improved: [email protected]

Did this answer your question?