Feasibility of Enabling Both Typing and Scanning in a Column (One at a Time)

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Posted on by MTNK

819 Super User 2025 Season 2

Good Morning!

I’m exploring a solution where a barcode scanner and manual typing can both be used to input data into the same column, but only one should work at a time. Currently, when the barcode scanner is active, it works as expected, but when I type something, the value isn't picked up or populated.

Text Property 

First(BarcodeReader2.Barcodes).Value

OnScan Property

BarcodeReader2.Barcodes

_________________________________________________

I’ve set up a label to collect QR code scan values, and it works perfectly when scanning. However, I also want to allow users to manually input a VIN number in case there is no QR code available.

The issue I'm facing is that when I type the VIN number, it doesn’t save the value I typed—instead, it saves the default value of "1231412." The Default property of the text input is set to Parent.Default, but it's not behaving as expected when typing manually.

Has anyone encountered this issue or have suggestions on how to handle manual input properly while keeping the QR code functionality intact?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Categories:

Power Apps Pro Dev & ISV

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,369 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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hi @MTNK

Sorry, you have a single column (of what type)? that holds an image or text?

It doesn't save it where? Is this on a Form? What is the Update Property of the Form for the text input?

Please share pictures :-) of that

Also how are you saving, via Patch or via Form Submit?

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MTNK 819 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@Michael E. Gernaey. I appreciate your help.

Single column of Text Type

Text values for the column did not save in records after I hit save in Power Apps. Yes this is on a Form.

Update Property of the Form for the column(That is what I did while scanning values, I want to enable text inputs also at same time, so if I do not scan I can type values and collect/save in Sharepoint after Submit record)

First(BarcodeReader2.Barcodes).Value

I am saving via Submit Form.

SubmitForm(Form1)

How we can make both work at same time.

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Spenser Valerga 2 on at

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Use a variable and if needed, use Reset() on the text input.

Barcode Scanner OnScan:

Set(CurrentVinValue, First(BarcodeReader2.Barcodes).Value); Reset(VinTxtInput)

VinTxtInput OnChange:

Set(CurrentVinValue, Self.Text)

VinTxtInput Default Value:

Coalesce(CurrentVinValue, ThisItem.VinColumn)

Make sure to set CurrentVinValue to Blank() when switching records or creating a new one.

Set(CurrentVinValue, Blank())

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stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@MTNK Hi,

In my app, I tried to add BarcodeReader1 for reading Barcode, I also added a TextInput for receiving the barcode value.

and added a Button for patch the data into my dataverse table.

I tried scan barcode on my phone , works fine.

I can modify the textInput for manually type the value as well.

please let know if you need further assistance.

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ronaldwalcott 3,847 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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How do you envision your design?

Do you want to default to the scanner when the form is in new mode and only enter the value if the scanner fails?

Is it mobile and tablet users using the scanner?

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MTNK 819 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Update to the post - Solved!

Thanks you everyone!

I set Update Property -

If(

!IsBlank(BarcodeReader2.Barcodes) && !IsBlank(First(BarcodeReader2.Barcodes).Value),

First(BarcodeReader2.Barcodes).Value,

DataCardValue11.Text

)

OnSelect Property

DataCardValue11.Text

OnChange Property

DataCardValue11.Text

Default Property

ThisItem.'Unit VIN '

It worked for me as we expected!

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