ScanSheet
Event use case

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 Free All guides
Event template with ticket code, attendee name placeholder, time, and note Built into every ScanSheet session, no install or signup required.
Same barcode cannot be scanned twice (de-dup is automatic) Built into every ScanSheet session, no install or signup required.
Free for events under 1,000 unique tickets Built into every ScanSheet session, no install or signup required.
On this page (5 sections)
  1. What you need for door check-in
  2. Setting up in 5 minutes before doors open
  3. During the event
  4. After the event: the attendance list
  5. Phone ticket scanner vs dedicated check-in tools

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

  1. Open ScanSheet on the laptop. Pick the Event template.
  2. Click Create session. A QR code appears.
  3. The volunteer scans the QR with their phone camera. The scanner view opens.
  4. Test scan a ticket. The row should appear in the laptop table within a second.
  5. 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

ApproachCostSetup timeBest for
Phone + ScanSheet (this guide)$05 minutesEvents under 1,000 attendees
Native event-check-in app$0–$50/mo30–60 minutesTicketed conferences, multi-gate
Dedicated QR scanner hardware$80–$30010 minutesDaily check-in stations
Manual clipboard + spreadsheet$00 minutesUnder 50 attendees

Event check-in with your phone, free and no app

Common use cases

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.

Related reading

Continue with these ScanSheet guides.

Ready to scan your first barcode?

No app to install, no credit card to start. Pair your phone with ScanSheet in 60 seconds.

Open ScanSheet Free