ScanSheet
Run event check-in with your phone (free, no app)
For events under 1,000 attendees, ScanSheet's Event template turns the door volunteer into a one-person check-in station. The phone scans QR or Code 128 tickets, the laptop table updates in real time, and you can export a final attendance list in two clicks.
Open ScanSheet FreeProduct walkthrough
60-second walkthrough — recording this week.
A short demo of the steps described in this article.
On this page (5 sections)
What you need for door check-in
- A laptop or tablet at the entrance (battery-powered is fine)
- A phone with a working camera (the volunteer's phone)
- Tickets with QR codes or Code 128 barcodes (printed or on phone screens)
- One volunteer to operate the scanner
Setting up in 5 minutes before doors open
- Open ScanSheet on the laptop. Pick the Event template.
- Click Create session. A QR code appears.
- The volunteer scans the QR with their phone camera. The scanner view opens.
- Test scan a ticket. The row should appear in the laptop table within a second.
- You're ready. Hand the phone to the door volunteer.
During the event
Each scan creates a row with the ticket code, the scan timestamp, and a note field for the volunteer to add flags (VIP, dietary, late entry). The same ticket cannot be scanned twice — the second scan shows a warning in the volunteer view, and the row count stays accurate.
After the event: the attendance list
Press Export CSV at the end of the event. You get a spreadsheet with one row per unique attendee, including first scan time. Upload to your CRM, share with the venue, or use it to reconcile ticket sales against actual attendance.
Phone ticket scanner vs dedicated check-in tools
| Approach | Cost | Setup time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone + ScanSheet (this guide) | $0 | 5 minutes | Events under 1,000 attendees |
| Native event-check-in app | $0–$50/mo | 30–60 minutes | Ticketed conferences, multi-gate |
| Dedicated QR scanner hardware | $80–$300 | 10 minutes | Daily check-in stations |
| Manual clipboard + spreadsheet | $0 | 0 minutes | Under 50 attendees |
Common use cases
- Community events, fundraisers, and church services under 1,000 attendees
- Conference and workshop check-in for small organizers
- Pop-up events, gallery openings, and meetup groups
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what teams ask before they switch to ScanSheet.
How fast can one volunteer check people in?
One scan per 2–3 seconds is realistic, including handing the phone back. For a 500-attendee event with doors open for one hour, one volunteer is plenty.
What if the same ticket is scanned twice?
ScanSheet highlights the duplicate and does not add a second row. The volunteer sees a visual warning so they can flag it for follow-up.
Can two volunteers scan at the same time?
Each session pairs one phone to one laptop. For two-door events, open two browser tabs, create a session in each, and combine the CSVs after the event.
Ready to scan your first barcode?
No app to install, no credit card to start. Pair your phone with ScanSheet in 60 seconds.
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