Get Started With the Scandit Express App

This blog walks you through downloading, installing, and testing Scandit Express—an enterprise-ready mobile app that adds smart data capture to any device, without custom development.

Meet the Scandit Express app

Scandit Express is the fastest way to add smarter barcode, text, ID scanning, and fake ID detection to any smartphone, tablet, or handheld computer. Just download, set up, and start scanning in minutes.

Ready to try Scandit Express? Let’s walk through how to install it.

We’ve included sample codes on-screen for quick testing as you go. However, for in-depth evaluation you should use printed codes—screen size and resolution can affect scanning performance.

1. Install and configure Scandit Express

Setting up Scandit Express takes just a few minutes. Here’s how:

Sign up for a free trial:

1. Go to the Scandit Express sign-up page.
2. Create your account (or log in if you already have one).
3. In your dashboard, under Projects & License Keys, select Default Project.

Get the Scandit Express app:

1. Scan the project's QR code using your smart device.
2. This will take you to the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android) to install the Scandit Express app.

Install and allow permissions:

1. Install and open the Scandit Express app.
2. Scan your project code in one of the following ways:
   1. If Scandit Express is open on a different device from the dashboard:
      1. In the app, on the “Here’s how to get started with Scandit Express” screen, click SCAN PROJECT CODE.
      2. The app will ask for permission to use your camera. (Camera access is required for barcode scanning.)
      3. Scan the QR code on your project’s dashboard again.
   2. If the app is open on the same device as the Scandit dashboard:
      1. Tap Copy project code on the Scandit dashboard.
      2. Switch to the Scandit Express app and tap Enter code manually. You can then paste the project code.
3. The Scandit Express homescreen appears. It will look something like this:
   

   

Set up your keyboard

1. Tap SET UP KEYBOARD.
2. On Android:
   1. Tap GO TO SETTINGS.
   2. Turn on Scandit Express. If you see dialog boxes, click OK.
3. On iOS:
   1. On the keyboard, select Scandit Express as a language.
   2. Tap Enable full access to scan.
   3. In the Keyboards screen, turn on Allow Full Access.
   4. In the pop-up window, tap Allow.
   5. In the Scandit Express app, tap Done.

That’s it—you’re ready to scan directly into any app!

2. Try barcode scanning now

Now that Scandit Express is installed, let’s put it to work.

1. Open literally any app you can type into using the device’s keyboard. Notes or Messages for iOS; Keep Notes or Messages for Android, or any spreadsheet will do.
2. Place the cursor in a text field.
3. On your device keyboard, switch to the Scandit Express Keyboard (tap the globe icon, if needed).
4. Tap SCAN BARCODE.
5. Point your camera at any barcode you have, or the image below, and tap the capture button.
   

   

The scanned data should instantly appear in the text field, with no typing required.

Accuracy vs. speed mode

Scandit Express supports different scanning modes to match the performance and experience of various use cases:

Try it:

1. Follow the steps above, and then switch the scanning mode at the bottom of the Scandit Express user interface.
2. Under the camera view, tap SPEED.
3. Point your camera at a series of barcodes, or step through the image below, without using the capture button. An overlay will appear over the barcode, and the View list counter increments on every successful scan.
   

   

4. Once scanning is complete, tap View list to see the barcode data and symbology types.
5. Tap ACCURACY under the camera view and repeat this process using the capture button to scan each barcode.

So far, we’ve used the keyboard wedge functionality within Scandit Express. You can also scan directly from the app into a CSV file. To do this, use the SCAN AND EXPORT tiles on the homescreen of the app.

3. ID Scan: Capture ID data accurately

Scandit Express can also capture data from barcodes, machine-readable zones (MRZ), and human-readable text printed on IDs, such as driver’s licenses and passports. This makes it easy to check details quickly without typing them in.

Try it:

1. Open the Scandit Express app.
2. Tap SCAN IDS.
3. Point your camera at the front of an identity document. The Scandit Express trial supports US driver's licenses and EU/Schengen passports by default. You can configure additional documents in your dashboard.
4. If the ID is valid, a green VERIFICATION PASSED screen appears with the document’s details. If the ID isn’t valid, a red VERIFICATION FAILED screen appears with the reason for failure.
5. Tap SCAN NEXT DOCUMENT to continue scanning. On the camera view, tap View list to see and export the data from captured identity documents.

If you’re scanning your own ID, you don’t need to worry about security—all data processing happens on your device, and no data will be stored by Scandit.

Get expert help with Scandit Express

Submit a support request

4. Batch Mode: Scan multiple barcodes at once

Need to capture many barcodes quickly? Batch Mode lets you scan multiple items and multi-code labels simultaneously and confirm the list before sending it to your app. Perfect for inventory counts, proof of delivery, and packing.

Try it:

1. Open the Scandit Express app.
2. Tap SCAN BARCODES.
3. Under the camera view, tap BATCH.
4. Point your camera at a group of barcodes, or the complete image below, and tap the capture button.
   

   

5. Once scanning is complete, blue check marks will appear over every barcode. Tap View list to see the barcode data and symbology types.
6. If you tap RESUME SCANNING in the list view and tap Done, Scandit Express will prompt you to share the barcode data as a CSV file.

5. Smart Label Capture: Scan barcodes and text simultaneously

Smart Label Capture reads barcodes and printed text, such as serial numbers, vehicle identification numbers (VIN), and expiry dates, together in one scan.

Try it:

1. Open the Scandit Express app.
2. Tap SCAN LABELS.
3. Point your camera at a label containing one or more barcodes and text fields, or the image below, and tap the capture button. Only consumer electronics labels are supported by the Scandit Express app out of the box. Contact support to enable other label types.

Try scanning this electronics label. It contains IMEI 1, IMEI 2, serial number, and UPC.

1. Once scanning is complete, tap View list to see the label data.
2. If you tap EXPORT ITEMS in the list view, Scandit Express will prompt you to share the barcode data as a CSV file.

What additional features does Scandit Express support?

Now that you’ve got to grips with the basics, you can explore some of Scandit Express’s more powerful capabilities. Instructions for configuring all of these are in the Scandit Express documentation.

Scanning features

These features save time and reduce errors when scanning barcodes, text, and IDs for everyday use cases:

• Built-in workflows that solve specific tasks: Markdown and clearance for perishable items, task management for product expiry dates and recalls, track and trace for drug inventory, and age verification.
• Flexible data manipulation on a user’s device to match business needs, including keystroke injection and automatic parsing and sorting.

Data workflow options

As well as keyboard wedge and scan and export options, Scandit Express has additional data workflows to flex around your systems.

• Device pairing: Output data to a web or native application on a different device using Bluetooth or an online connection.
• Custom data transfer: Configure your CSV and Google Sheets files for input and output, ensuring consistent formatting and alignment with your existing systems.
• Safari extension: Access Scandit Express with a single tap on a scan button in any web-based text field.

Enterprise deployment

Scandit Express streamlines deployment and app configuration using mobile device management (MDM) or enterprise mobility management (EMM) systems. See Production Rollout for instructions.

Get Scandit Express working for you

If you’re ready to try Scandit Express in your own workflows, our team is ready to help.