Barcode Scanning and Product Lookup

barcode scanning product-lookup upc isbn setup

One of the fastest ways to add items to a collection is by scanning a barcode. MDCollections can look up product information from UPC, ISBN, and EAN codes so common item details are filled in automatically instead of typed from scratch.

This guide walks through enabling the feature, mapping the lookup data to your properties, and using the workflow day to day.

How It Works

When you scan a barcode (or enter a code manually), MDCollections queries the UPCitemdb.com API to find matching product information. The API returns data like the product’s name, brand, description, category, and more. MDCollections then maps that data to the properties in your collection, creating a new item with the fields already filled in.

The result is simple: scan, review, save. What usually takes a minute or two of manual entry can drop to a few seconds.

Setting Up Product Lookup

Product lookup sits behind the advanced options toggle, so you need to enable that first.

Step 1: Enable Advanced Options

Open App Settings and toggle on Display Advanced Options. This reveals additional settings throughout the app, including the product lookup configuration.

Step 2: Enable Product Lookup

With advanced options visible, you’ll now see a Enable UPC Lookup toggle in App Settings. Turn it on to activate barcode-based product lookups.

Step 3: Configure Collection Mappings

This is the key step. You need to tell MDCollections where the API data should land inside your collection.

Open your collection’s settings and look for the Product Item Type Mappings section. Expand it and you’ll be able to:

Select a Product Item Type — choose the type of product this collection holds (more on Product Item Types below).
Map API fields to your properties — the API returns fields like title, brand, description, category, and others. For each one, choose which property in your collection it should map to.

For example, in a book collection you might map:

API title → your Title property
API brand → your Author property
API description → your Synopsis property
API category → your Genre tags property

This mapping is what makes the workflow useful. When product data comes back, MDCollections knows exactly which fields to fill.

Step 4: Set Up Product Item Types (Optional)

Product Item Types let you narrow the API field list to what matters for a given category. A books setup might care about title, author, and ISBN. An electronics setup might care about brand, model, and UPC.

To set them up:

Create a folder for your Product Item Type definitions — this can be anywhere on your device.
In App Settings, set the Product Item Type Folder to point to that folder.
Use the Edit Product Item Types section in App Settings to create or edit types. Each type is saved as a Markdown file with YAML frontmatter listing the relevant fields.

Product Item Types are optional. If you skip them, the default field list is still available. But if you manage multiple collection types, custom item types keep the mapping screen much cleaner.

Scanning Barcodes

With the setup complete, adding items by barcode is straightforward.

Scan or Enter Manually

Open your collection and tap the barcode scanner button. Point your camera at a UPC, ISBN, or EAN barcode and it will be read automatically.

If you don’t have the physical barcode handy — say you’re entering items from a spreadsheet or a receipt — tap Enter Manually to type in the code directly.

Review and Save

Once the barcode is recognized, MDCollections queries the product API. If there are multiple matches, you’ll see a list to choose from. If there’s only one match, it’s selected automatically.

The mapped fields are filled in on the new item screen. Review the details, adjust anything that needs correction, and press Save.

Rapid Scanning

If you are cataloging a batch of items, such as a shelf of books, a box of records, or a row of games, you can move through them quickly without leaving the capture flow.

API Limits

The free trial API from UPCitemdb.com allows 100 lookups per day. For many personal collection workflows, that is enough.

If you’re doing a large cataloging session and need more lookups, you can get your own API key from upcitemdb.com and enter it in App Settings. Your personal key will have its own limits based on the plan you choose.

Tips

Map only what you need. You do not need every available API field. Fewer mappings usually mean a cleaner review step.
Use Product Item Types for mixed collections. If a single collection might hold books and DVDs, Product Item Types let you define different field sets for each category.
Check the auto-filled data. Product databases are extensive but not perfect. A quick review before saving catches occasional mismatches in category, description, or brand.
Combine with manual entry. Barcode scanning is great for items with standard codes, but manual entry still works for everything else. Both paths produce the same Markdown files.