Barcode Check-in

Platform: 🖥️ Desktop only

See also: Relay legs and sub-legs, Serial port settings

When you need this

You're running a relay event and need to register timing cards to competitors before they start. Each runner's barcode is scanned, their identity is confirmed, and a timing card is linked to them — all in one smooth flow at the check-in station.

How the check-in flow works

You're at the check-in point and competitors are arriving to collect their timing cards. The process follows three steps for each runner:

  1. Scan barcode — The barcode reader scans the competitor's barcode and the system processes it automatically
  2. Verify competitor details — The system displays the competitor's name, team, and leg
  3. Read competition card — The timing card is read via the serial port reader and saved automatically

After the card is read, the card number is saved to the competitor's record and their status is set to "Competing".

Barcode format

The barcode contains competitor identification in the following format:

Format Example Description
{number} 42 Bib number only
{number}-{leg} 42-3 Bib number and leg
{number}-{leg}-{subLeg} 42-3-1 Bib number, leg, and sub-leg

Barcode readers may add extra characters (e.g. %0042-3). The system automatically strips non-numeric characters and leading zeros.

Getting started

You've opened the relay event and are ready to set up the check-in station. Here's how to activate it:

  1. Open the event menu by clicking a relay event in the event list
  2. Select Barcode check-in
  3. Activate the serial reader by clicking the USB icon in the top-right corner (the icon turns green when the reader is active)

A progress bar appears at the bottom of the page when the reader is receiving data.

Handling warnings

A competitor arrives whose status is something other than "Registered" — perhaps they've already been checked in, or their registration was cancelled. The system displays a warning and the check-in cannot proceed. This prevents accidental re-registration. Press Escape to cancel and start over with the next competitor.

Using manual selection

Sometimes a barcode is damaged or the reader can't pick it up. You can select the competitor manually instead:

  1. Press the pencil icon in the top-right corner to open manual selection
  2. Choose the team, leg, and optional sub-leg

Manual selection does not allow selecting a competitor whose status is other than "Registered".

Keyboard shortcuts

These shortcuts help you work quickly when processing a queue of competitors:

Key Action
Enter Submit barcode (if scanner doesn't send automatically)
Escape Cancel and return to start (works in any step)

Adjusting text size

You're sharing the screen with a colleague or the lighting makes it hard to read. Use the +/- buttons in the top-right corner to increase or decrease the text size. This only affects the check-in page.

Putting it together: relay check-in morning

It's race morning for a relay event. Competitors arrive at the check-in tent to collect their timing cards. You open the relay event, launch Barcode check-in, and activate the serial reader. As each runner arrives, you scan their barcode — the system shows their name, team, and leg. They place their timing card on the reader, it's linked to their record, and they're marked as competing. If a barcode won't scan, you use manual selection to find the right competitor. Within minutes, the entire team is checked in and ready to race.