How scanners and RFID readers can work with Tallyfy form fields
Most barcode scanners and RFID readers use keyboard wedge mode - they act like a keyboard and type scanned data directly into whatever field has focus. This means they already work with Tallyfy’s form fields without any special integration.
Keyboard wedge mode (works today)
Any scanner in USB HID (Human Interface Device) mode can fill Tallyfy form fields right now. Here’s how:
Set your scanner to USB HID Keyboard mode (most scanners default to this)
Configure it to send an Enter or Tab keystroke after each scan
Click into a Tallyfy text or number form field
Scan your barcode or RFID tag - the data appears instantly
Quick test: open any text editor and scan something. If text appears, your scanner will work with Tallyfy.
Compatible hardware
These scanner types work with Tallyfy through keyboard wedge mode:
USB barcode scanners - any HID-compatible model (the vast majority of USB scanners)
Bluetooth scanners - paired to your computer or mobile device
RFID readers - those that support keyboard wedge output
2D/QR code scanners - work the same as 1D barcode scanners
Recommended scanner settings
Check your scanner’s manual for these settings:
Interface mode: USB HID Keyboard or Bluetooth HID
Suffix character: CR (Carriage Return/Enter) or Tab
Inter-character delay: 5ms if you see dropped characters
Prefix: optional, but helpful for identifying the scan source
Practical use cases
Warehouse receiving
Open a receiving process in Tallyfy
Scan the pallet barcode into the Pallet ID field
Scan each item into the items list
Scan the storage location QR code into the location field
Quality control checkpoints
Scan the product serial number into the inspection form
Scan PASS or FAIL QR codes at each checkpoint
Scan the inspector badge to record sign-off
Asset management
Scan an asset tag to look up its record. Scan a location QR code to update where the asset is. This works well for IT equipment, tools, or medical devices.
Why scanning beats manual entry
Speed - a scan takes under a second. Typing a 12-digit code takes 5-10 seconds.
Accuracy - scanners don’t make typos. With long alphanumeric codes, scanning removes transcription errors entirely.
Audit trail - each scan creates a timestamped form field entry you can trace back.
Common questions
Will my existing scanner work?
If it types text into Notepad when you scan, it’ll work with Tallyfy form fields.
Do I need special software?
No. Keyboard wedge scanners need no drivers, plugins, or extra software.
What about RFID tags?
RFID readers that output in keyboard wedge mode work exactly like barcode scanners. Tap the tag, data appears in the focused field.
How do I prevent scanning into the wrong field?
Click the correct field before scanning. Configuring your scanner to send a Tab suffix after each scan can auto-advance to the next field.
Preparing your workflows for scanning
Test your hardware - confirm your scanners work in HID mode by scanning into a text editor first.
Design for scanning order - arrange form fields in the same sequence your workers physically scan items.
Standardize barcode formats - consistent prefixes (like “EMP” for employees, “SKU” for products) help workers identify what they’re scanning.
Tallyfy connects form submissions directly to trackable workflows so that every response automatically triggers defined process steps with email verification for public forms and supports conditional branching and document generation along with field validation and collaborative multi-step completion across teams.
Tallyfy turns form submissions into the first step of a structured workflow so that data flows automatically into later steps and everyone involved gets real-time visibility from submission to completion without manual follow-ups.
Tallyfy offers various form field types—including short text, long text, dropdowns, checklists, radio buttons, date pickers, file uploads, tables and assignee pickers—that collect user input on kick-off forms or tasks and turn that input into variables and automation triggers to control how a workflow branches and progresses.
Tallyfy can automatically generate documents like contracts and PDFs by connecting form field data from completed tasks through middleware to document creation services like WebMerge or DocuSign in a setup that takes about 15 minutes and eliminates manual data copying entirely.