Barcode Is Not Found or the Leading Zero Disappears

The problem of the first zero in the barcode "disappearing" (leading zero) causes the program not to find the product during scanning or to create duplicates during import. The system treats the codes 0123456789012 and 123456789012 as different values.

When a barcode cannot be found because of a leading zero

• When scanning a product that is already in the database (search error).

• When importing new invoices from Excel (the product is not linked).

• When working with products from the USA/Canada (UPC-A).

• After changing the scanner or program settings.

How to understand what exactly the problem is

• The message «Product not found» appears during scanning, although the code is visibly present in the product card.

• In the product card, the barcode is recorded without the first zero (12 digits instead of 13).

• The scanner beeps, but the digits are not inserted into the search field completely.

Why the leading zero disappears in a barcode

1. Torgsoft settings: the option that changes barcodes starting with zero is enabled, which may lead to a mismatch between the code in the database and the code sent by the scanner.

2. Excel formatting: the editor automatically treats the barcode as a number and drops the zero on the left.

3. Differences between UPC-A and EAN-13: a 12-digit American code may be sent by the scanner as a 13-digit code (with an added zero) or vice versa.
   Scanner settings: conversion between UPC and EAN formats is enabled or disabled.

How to restore correct barcode search

A. Disable correction in Torgsoft (Main solution)

1. Go to: Settings → Parameters → Barcode.

2. Find the option «Correct barcodes starting with zero».

3. Uncheck it.

4. Click «Save» and restart the program.

This ensures the same barcode length during saving and during scanning.

B. Check the scanner settings

Relevant if the problem concerns products with UPC-A codes.

1. Open the manual for the scanner model.

2. Find the UPC / EAN settings section.

3. Check the parameter:

• Convert UPC-A to EAN-13 or a similar option.

4. Enable or disable conversion depending on how the barcodes are stored in your database:

• If the database contains 13 digits — the scanner must send 13;

• If the database contains 12 digits — the scanner must send 12.

C. Fix the Excel file before import

1. Select the barcode column.

2. Set the cell format to Text.

3. If the zeros have already disappeared:

•    restore them manually;

•    or use formulas before import.

4. Only after that perform the upload into Torgsoft.

How to check that the barcode is found correctly again

1. Open Warehouse → Warehouse status or the sales form.

2. Scan the problematic product.

3. The product must be found without an error.

4. The code length in the search field and in the product card must match completely.

How to avoid losing the leading zero in a barcode again

• use one agreed barcode format throughout the entire database;

• do not open CSV files in Excel by double-clicking;

• check code lengths before mass import;

• after replacing the scanner or changing its settings, check test scanning.

What is important to remember

If a product cannot be found during scanning, but the code is visibly present in the database, first of all check the barcode correction settings and whether the code length matches between the scanner, the program, and the import files.