# Packages and parent barcodes This page explains the two ways to count cartons and packs without opening them: **Package Quantity** when the package carries the same barcode as the unit, and **Parent barcode** when the package has a barcode of its own. ::: tip TL;DR | Situation | What you set up | How stock is stored | |---|---|---| | The carton has the **same** barcode as the unit | **Package Quantity** in the catalog | in units – multiplied at scan time | | The carton has a **different** barcode | **Parent barcode** + **Conversion ratio** in the catalog file | in units – parent scans converted in the report | ::: Both are configured in the [Catalog](/en/guide/management/catalog) and used on the [Count page](/en/guide/counter). ## Package Quantity – same barcode on the unit and the package ### How to set it up - **In the catalog file:** add a **Package Quantity** column with a whole number for each relevant item. - **Manually:** **Catalog** → edit an item → **Package Quantity** field. An item with no value in the field is always counted in units. ### How to count When you scan an item with a package quantity, the [quantity window](/en/guide/counter#quantity-window) shows **Package contains: N units** and a toggle: - **Units Mode** (default) – the number you type is recorded as is. - **Package Mode** – the message **Quantity will be multiplied by N** appears, and the number you type is multiplied. **Example:** package quantity 12. In **Package Mode** you type `2` → **24 units** are recorded. The multiplication happens at scan time, so the stored quantity is always in units. Count whole cartons in **Package Mode** and opened units in **Units Mode**. The toggle appears only while the quantity window is open – turn on **Show Quantity Window After Scan** in [Settings](/en/guide/settings). ## Parent barcode – the package has its own barcode The carton is the **parent**; the unit inside is the **child**. Stock is managed at unit level; the parent is only a faster way to count cartons. ### How to set it up A parent barcode is defined in the catalog file, on the child item's row. Add these columns: | Column header | Required | Meaning | |---|---|---| | **Parent barcode** | ✔ | The barcode printed on the case. | | **Conversion ratio** | ✔ | Units in one parent case, e.g. `6`. | | **Parent barcode name** | – | A name for the case. If empty, the item's description is used. | The child's own barcode stays in the regular **Barcode** column. A parent is created only when both required columns are filled; if either is missing, the row is loaded as an ordinary item. OpticCount stores the parent as a separate catalog item tagged **Parent**. You do not manage it by hand – re-uploading the catalog updates it. A parent barcode that equals another item's barcode is rejected and reported in the upload summary, because a barcode identifies exactly one item. ### How to count Scan the barcode you see. A unit barcode is counted in units; a parent barcode is recognized automatically and recorded as a parent scan in the quantity you entered, without multiplication. There is no toggle to choose – the barcode itself decides. ### How it appears in reports On [Recent Counts](/en/guide/management/counts) and in exports: - **Not merged (default):** parent scans and unit scans on separate rows, each in the quantity actually scanned. A parent row has no ERP stock of its own. - **Merge by parent:** the **Merge by parent** option in the table (and **Merge parent into child** in the export) multiplies parent scans by the conversion ratio and folds them into the unit row. **Example:** 5 parent scans × ratio 10 = 50, plus 2 unit scans = **52 units** for the item. ERP-format exports always merge by parent, because the inventory system only knows the unit's code. ## Editing recorded counts A count recorded either way is edited like any other: from the quantity button on the card, or on [Recent Counts](/en/guide/management/counts) by a user with permission. ## Common questions - **Which mechanism should I use?** Same barcode on the unit and the carton → Package Quantity. Different barcode → Parent barcode. - **The catalog shows more items than rows in my file.** Expected: every parent barcode adds one parent item tagged **Parent**. - **Does a parent hold its own stock?** No. Stock lives at unit level; the parent is a scanning shortcut. - **My file's headers are slightly different.** OpticCount recognizes similar names, and you can map columns manually during upload. An exact header is the safest. ## Related pages - [Catalog](/en/guide/management/catalog) – upload a file with package quantity and parent barcode - [Count page](/en/guide/counter) – scan and work with the quantity window - [Personalization Settings](/en/guide/settings) – turn on the quantity window - [Recent Counts](/en/guide/management/counts) – merge parent scans in the report