Understanding UPCs (Universal Product Codes)
Understanding and entering different UPC codes in your system.
What is a UPC?
- A UPC (Universal Product Code) is the barcode scanned at checkout.
- It tells the system what the product is and who made it.
How a UPC Is Built
- Most UPCs have 12 digits.
- The last digit is a check digit—used to catch barcode errors.
- It’s split into two parts so scanners can read it either way.
Two Main UPC Types You Might See
- UPC-A (12 digits) – The standard version used on most products.
- UPC-E (8 digits) – A shorter version used on small items (like gum or candy).
What to Watch For in XSite
If you’re seeing barcode issues:
- Some products may show up with 8 digits (UPC-E) and others with 12 digits (UPC-A).
- Use the search bar in XSite to find the item by UPC.
- If XSite shows an 11-digit UPC, that usually means the last digit is missing.
What to Do
- Check the physical product: Compare the barcode on the item to the one in XSite.
- Go to the item in XSite: On the item’s page, click “Inventory” to see if it’s been selling.
- If there are no sales and the UPC is wrong, you can either:
- Fix the barcode to match the actual product.
- Delete the bad UPC if it’s not being used.