Barcode Generator
How to Generate Barcodes in Asset Panda Pro
Asset Panda Pro includes a Barcode Generator that lets you create printable barcodes for your records directly from the web app. These barcodes can then be scanned in the mobile app for faster searching, auditing, and updates.
This article covers:
What the Barcode Generator can do
Requirements
Preparing your data (barcode fields)
Designing barcode sheets and labels
Generating barcodes from your data
Printing and using your barcodes
Best practices and tips
1. What the Barcode Generator Can Do
With the Barcode Generator, you can:
Generate barcodes for:
Barcode fields
ID fields
Auto‑increment fields
Text fields
Numeric fields
Design and save sheet and label templates that match your physical label sheets
Print full sheets of labels for one or many records at a time
Use the Asset Panda mobile app to scan barcodes and instantly open records
2. Requirements
To use the Barcode Generator, you’ll need:
An Asset Panda Pro account with the Barcode Generator feature enabled
Web access to the Asset Panda Pro application
Permission to:
Access the relevant module/collection
View records you want to generate barcodes for
For best results, your collection should have at least one of the following:
A Barcode field
An ID field
An auto-increment field (often used as an asset number)
A text field
A numeric field
3. Preparing Your Data (Barcode Fields)
3.1 Use a Dedicated Barcode Field
We recommend adding a dedicated Barcode field to any collection where you plan to use barcodes. This has several benefits:
Improves mobile barcode scanning performance
Keeps each barcode unique to a record
Makes it clear which value is used for physical labels
To set this up:
Go to the settings for the collection where you track your assets or items.
Add a new field with data type Barcode (for example, Asset Barcode or Equipment Tag).
Keep the field set to unique so each record has its own barcode.
3.2 Using ID or Auto‑Increment Fields
If you already rely on a system ID or an auto‑increment field (such as an asset number), you can use those instead:
The barcode will encode the exact value from that field.
Scanning the barcode on mobile will search that same field and open the matching record.
You can mix approaches:
Use a Barcode field in some collections
Use ID, auto‑increment, text or numeric in others
4. Designing Barcode Sheets and Labels
The Barcode Generator includes a built‑in designer so you can:
Match your sheet layout to your label stock (e.g., Avery‑style sheets)
You can customize your own label sheet
Control how each label looks (barcode, text, fields, images)
Save templates you can reuse for future print jobs
There are two main parts:
The sheet template: how labels are arranged on the page
The label layout: what appears on each individual label
4.1 Creating or Opening a Template
In the web app, go to Tools and then Barcode Templates area.
Click Add (or open an existing template) to start designing.
Choose how barcodes will be generated for this template:
From field values: uses values from a collection field (Barcode, ID, or auto‑increment).
Auto‑generated: creates a sequence of barcodes based on a starting value and pattern.
Once selected, you’ll move into the Sheet and Label tabs to design the template.
4.2 Designing the Sheet (Rows, Columns, Margins)
The Sheet tab controls how labels are arranged on each page so they align with your label stock.
You can either:
Option A: Use a Default Label Type (Recommended)
In the Label type dropdown, choose a known template (for example, an Avery‑style layout).
The system automatically sets:
Page size (e.g., Letter, A4)
Number of rows and columns
Margins (top, bottom, left, right)
Spacing between labels (row and column “gutter”)
These settings are locked in for the selected template to ensure labels align correctly.
Option B: Create a Custom Sheet
If your label stock isn’t covered by a default template:
Choose Custom as the label type.
Enter:
Measurement unit (inches or millimeters)
Page size (e.g., Letter, A4)
Number of rows (labels per column)
Number of columns (labels per row)
Row gutter (vertical spacing between labels)
Column gutter (horizontal spacing between labels)
Top / bottom margins
Left / right margins
The system calculates the label size based on these inputs. To change label size, adjust rows/columns, margins, or gutters.
Resetting the Sheet Design
Use Reset design to revert to the default settings for the current template.
Confirm when prompted; this will discard custom changes.
Sheet design tips
Whenever possible, start from a default label type that matches your label stock.
For custom sheets:
Use the dimensions from your label package or manufacturer specs.
Measure margins and gaps carefully if specifications aren’t available.
Always test print on plain paper and compare against your label sheet before printing on labels.
4.3 Designing the Label Layout
The Label tab controls what appears on each individual label—barcode, text, fields, and images. You design a single label, and that layout is applied to all labels on the sheet for that print job.
There are two types of templates:
Generate from field values: Pulls values from your records.
Auto‑generate: Generates a series of values based on a pattern.
The design tools are mostly the same in both cases.
4.3.1 Barcode Type and Size
On the label canvas, you’ll see a barcode by default. You can:
Select the barcode on the label.
Use the settings panel to choose a barcode type, for example:
Code 128 with text (barcode plus human‑readable value)
Code 128 without text
QR code
Adjust the size of the barcode:
Drag the corners of the barcode on the canvas, or
Enter exact width and height values.
You can reset the barcode to its original size and position if needed.
For auto‑generated templates, you’ll also define:
A starting value (e.g., 000001)
Total digits (to control zero‑padding)
An optional prefix (e.g., “AST‑” → AST‑000001)
For field‑based templates, you’ll choose which field (Barcode, ID, auto‑increment, etc.) provides the barcode value.
4.3.2 Adding Static Text
Static text appears the same on every label (for example, your company name or a standard message).
To add static text:
Click the Text button in the label designer.
A text box appears on the label.
Type your text and use the settings panel to:
Change font, size, color, and alignment
Adjust formatting (bold, italic, etc.)
You can add multiple static text boxes (e.g., a title at the top and a small note at the bottom) and move/resize each one on the canvas.
4.3.3 Adding Dynamic Fields (Record Data)
Dynamic fields show values from each record, such as Asset Name, Location, or Serial Number. These are available when your template is set to generate from collection field values.
To add dynamic fields:
Make sure the template is configured to generate from field values.
In the Label tab, click the Field button.
A placeholder field box appears on the label.
In the settings panel, choose which field to display (e.g., Asset Name).
Format it like text:
Choose font, size, color, and alignment.
You can add multiple fields (e.g., Asset Name on one line, Location on another). If a field is empty for a specific record, that area will simply be blank on that record’s label. This is only available for collection field value barcodes. It is not available for numeric auto generate barcodes.
4.3.4 Adding Images (Logos, Icons)
You can add one or more images to your labels, such as a company logo or safety icon.
To add an image:
Click the Image button.
An image placeholder appears on the label.
Upload an image from your device.
Choose how it should fit:
Contain: Keeps the entire image visible inside the bounding box.
Fill: Fills the bounding box (may crop the image).
Fit: Fits the image inside the bounding box while maintaining aspect ratio.
You can resize and move images around the label canvas. All labels in that print job will share the same image layout.
4.4 Choosing Where to Start on the Sheet
If you’re using a partially used label sheet, you can choose which label on the page to start printing from.
When you’re ready to generate:
Click Generate.
In the generation options, you’ll see a preview of the label sheet with numbered positions.
Select the starting label position:
Click a label in the preview, or
Enter the label number.
The system will fill labels starting from that position, so you don’t waste unused labels on a sheet.
You can also choose the output format (typically PDF, sometimes image formats depending on your configuration).
4.5 Previewing the Sheet
Before you finalize:
Open the Preview tab in the designer.
Review the sample sheet:
Confirm barcode size and readability
Check text and field positions
Confirm image placement
This preview uses sample data to show layout only; it doesn’t display your actual records.
4.6 Saving and Reusing Templates
Once you’re happy with your sheet and label design:
Click Save template and give it a clear name.
Your template will appear in the Barcode Templates list, where you can:
Reuse it for future print jobs
Duplicate it to create variations (e.g., different logo placements or label stock)
Delete templates you no longer need
5. Generating Barcodes from Your Data
Once your data and templates are prepared, generating barcodes is straightforward.
5.1 From a Collection (Field-Based)
Open the collection that contains the records you want to label.
Select one or more records.
Choose the option to generate barcodes (or open the Barcode Generator from the tools menu).
Select:
Which template to use
Which field will be used for the barcode value (if prompted)
Adjust the starting label position and output format if needed.
Generate and download/preview the output.
5.2 From Auto‑Generated Values
For sequences of barcodes that are not tied to existing records (for example, pre-printing asset tags):
Go to Barcode Templates.
Choose or create an auto‑generate template.
Enter:
Starting value
Total number of barcodes to generate
Total digits and an optional prefix
Choose where to start on the sheet and the output format.
Generate and print.
6. Printing and Using Your Barcodes
6.1 Printing
Open the generated PDF (or other output) in your browser or PDF viewer.
In the print dialog:
Set scale to 100% or Actual size.
Avoid “Fit to page” if it shifts alignment.
Print a test page on plain paper.
Hold the test page against your label sheet to confirm everything lines up.
Once alignment is correct, print on your label sheets.
6.2 Using Barcodes in the Mobile App
Attach or apply labels to your physical assets.
Open the Asset Panda mobile app.
Navigate to the relevant module/collection.
Use the Scan (barcode) option.
Scan a barcode:
The app searches the appropriate field (Barcode, ID, or auto‑increment)
The matching record opens so you can view or update it
This makes audits, check‑outs, and day‑to‑day updates significantly faster.
7. Best Practices and Tips
Use a dedicated Barcode field where possible for best performance and clarity.
Keep barcodes unique so each physical tag always maps to a single record.
Start with a known label template that matches your label stock before creating custom layouts.
Always test on plain paper before using label stock.
Save different templates for different use cases:
Large barcodes for warehouse environments
Smaller labels with more text for office equipment
Templates with or without logos/images
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