Importing UPC Codes

When you import UPC codes into Artisan, there are a few important tips to make it work perfectly.

1. UPC Codes are from the manufacturer and are supposed to be unique.
2. We think of the UPC code in 3 parts. The system digit, the middle (10 digits), and the check digit, for a total of 12 digits. There are a few exceptions to this for certain products (like candy and soda).
3. Bar code scanners can be programmed to optionally read the system digit and/or the check digit. The Symbol scanners that CerTek sells are programmed by default to read (transmit) both the system digit and the check digit.
4. The UPC field and the programming of the scanner must match. For example, if you include the check digit in the UPC field in Artisan, then the scanner must read the check digit. The opposite is also true. If you don’t have a check digit in your data, then the reader is not programmed to read the check digit.
5. The most common portion of the UPC code to omit from manufacturers is the Check Digit.
6. Because data may come from multiple sources and there does not seem to be 100% consensus on what the proper way is, users often get a mixed set of data. There are two ways to correct this problem. You can add the check digit using Excel BEFORE you import it into Artisan, or have CerTek staff add the check digit to your Artisan data AFTER it has been imported.
7. In Excel, you can use the following:
   =MOD(10-MOD(SUMPRODUCT(–(MID(A1,{1,3,5,7,9,11},1)))*3+SUMPRODUCT(–(MID(A1,{2,4,6,8,10},1))),10),10)
8. Type the 11-digit code in cell A1, and enter this formula in A2 (replicate the formula by copying down).
9. The formula may be modified for 12- or 13-digit codes by adding integers (odd or even) within the
   brackets { } as appropriate. Use CONCATENATE to add the two text strings together in A3. Then, you’re done.
10. CerTek Staff can perform the following incantation in what we call Magic Mode:
    replace all upc with add_ucc_check_digit(upc)