ScanSheet
How to export ScanSheet data to Excel (XLSX)
ScanSheet writes a clean .xlsx file with five columns: barcode, quantity, note, first scan time, and last scan time. The file opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and Apple Numbers without reformatting.
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On this page (4 sections)
What the exported file contains
- Barcode — the raw value read from the scan (text)
- Quantity — integer count, starts at 1 per row
- Note — editable text, blank by default
- First Scanned — ISO 8601 timestamp of the first scan
- Last Scanned — ISO 8601 timestamp of the most recent scan
How to export
- On the laptop, click the XLSX button in the top toolbar.
- A .xlsx file downloads. The file name includes the date and time.
- Open the file in Excel, Google Sheets, or Numbers. All columns are ready for further work.
CSV vs XLSX — which to use
| Feature | CSV | XLSX |
|---|---|---|
| Opens in | Any text editor | Excel, Sheets, Numbers |
| File size | Smaller | Larger |
| Numbers stay as numbers | Sometimes (depends on import) | Always |
| Timestamps as dates | Sometimes | Always |
| Formula injection protection | Yes (escaped) | Yes (cell type set to text) |
How ScanSheet protects your data
If a barcode value or note starts with =, +, -, or @, ScanSheet escapes it with a leading apostrophe in CSV and sets the cell type to text in XLSX. This prevents formula injection attacks where a malicious barcode (e.g. =cmd|' /C calc'!A1) could trigger code execution when opened in Excel.
Common use cases
- Exporting inventory to Excel for finance team handoff
- Sharing a finished count with non-ScanSheet users
- Building pivot tables and reports from scan data
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what teams ask before they switch to ScanSheet.
Will the file open in older Excel versions?
Yes. The XLSX format has been standard since Excel 2007. Excel 2003 and earlier cannot open XLSX — those users should use the CSV export.
Can I export only a date range?
Yes. Click Batch Export in the More menu. You can pick a date range and a format. ScanSheet shows how many records match before you commit.
What happens if my data has special characters?
Both CSV and XLSX are UTF-8 encoded. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and emoji characters round-trip correctly. The CSV includes a UTF-8 BOM so Excel detects the encoding on import.
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