Scanning Barcodes
Tex reads QR codes and barcodes out of any loaded capture using ZXing.Net 0.16.11. This is the mirror of the generator in 06.01 — point it at a screenshot of an email, webpage, or photo, and get the decoded content back.
Workflow
- Load or take a capture so the main editor shows an image.
- Click Scan Barcodes in the main toolbar.
- ZXing scans the entire image for any supported code.
- A list appears with every detected code — each row shows format + decoded content + a Copy button.
Warning — The Scan Barcodes button is disabled (HasCapture == false) until you have a capture loaded. Take or paste a screenshot first, then the button lights up.
Supported Formats
| Category | Formats |
|---|---|
| 2D matrix | QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF-417 |
| Retail linear | UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13 |
| Industrial linear | Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5), Codabar |
Any code ZXing supports in its default decoder set will be picked up — Tex does not restrict formats.
Use Cases
- Email QR codes — WiFi join codes, event tickets, MFA enrolments sent as images. Paste the email screenshot, click Scan, copy the payload.
- Website QR codes — deep-link QR codes embedded in documentation or support pages.
- Shelf / asset labels — photograph a printed barcode with your phone, send the photo to the PC, paste into Tex, scan.
- Multiple codes at once — if a capture contains several barcodes (e.g. an invoice with SKU codes), all are listed together.
Limitations
Tip — ZXing is good but not magic. Very small codes (under ~80 px square), blurry photos, or codes at a sharp angle may not decode. Re-capture at higher resolution or straighten the source first.
If no code is detected, the result list is empty. There is no partial-match or best-guess output.