COUNTBENCH GUIDE

Your first count.

This walkthrough takes a new count from the first scan to downloaded results. Try it first with the built-in example: choose Try an example on the CountBench start screen. The example uses fictional locations and items, is clearly marked Example and is never mixed with a real count.

1. Create the count

Choose Start a free count. Give the count an optional title and site label, then choose what kind of count it is:

• Quick count records the exact codes you scan or type, with a unit you choose. Nothing is matched to a catalogue.
• Catalogue count uses an imported list of items. Each scan must match a known item; anything else goes to review.
• Compare with a stock file imports expected quantities, lets you choose the locations to count and whether to count blind or with the expected values visible.

Then choose where the count is kept: Save on this device for real work, or Temporary session on a shared computer. Start confirms your choice. See offline counting and backups for the difference.

2. Prepare the scanner

The count screen shows the current location, counting mode, storage and comparison setting together. The first location is called MAIN; change it before you start if you count by shelf, bay or bin. The unit defaults to ea.

Most scanners send Enter after each code, which is the default. If yours sends Tab, choose Tab and run the short device check. If anything unexpected arrives, check the scanner with ScannerBench. No scan is sent there automatically.

3. Count by location

Scan or enter the location, then count the items in it. Enter total is selected by default: scan an item and type how many are there. Choose Scan each unit if you would rather scan once per item. The total, last item and location stay large on screen, and each accepted entry is confirmed only after it has been saved.

Scanning a location is a separate, deliberate action. A barcode never switches location or opens a link by itself. If the screen loses focus, an import opens or the tool updates, capture pauses until you resume it.

4. Review

Review lists counted entries, explicit zeroes, expected items not yet counted, unrecognised scans and corrections. Resolve unknown codes, record a zero where a shelf is genuinely empty, and recount anything doubtful. A recount is a separate pass that you accept or discard. See counting modes, zeroes and recounts.

5. Finish and download

Finish count pauses capture and shows a summary. If expected items are uncounted, scans are unresolved or a recount is waiting, fix them first, or close the count as incomplete with a reason. CountBench never turns a missing entry into zero.

Download the results you need: CSV for your stock system, XLSX for a spreadsheet, a project backup, a PDF report or count tickets. Downloads stay available before you finish, marked Draft or Incomplete. See imports and exports for what each file contains.

Try it with synthetic files

The example count includes a synthetic catalogue and stock snapshot with leading-zero codes, an explicit zero, an uncounted item and a small variance. Download its results to see each file format before you count real stock.