Alma requires an exact match on the item barcode value in order to process an item for charging, discharging, and processing requests and/or work orders. However, it is possible that a barcode may contain a trailing blank space character (e.g., if the barcode value were copied from a document or webpage). If library staff scan or type the barcode digits only, but the item record barcode includes a blank space, Alma will report that the item is not found. Library staff should locate and correct records where these extra characters prevent matching.
When viewing a record in Alma, extra blank spaces are typically not visible until the user selects all of the text in the field. CARLI staff have prepared a report to locate these items. Open Alma Analytics, then locate the Item Maintenance Barcode Has Trailing Blank Space report.
- Go to the Analytics menu, select Design Analytics.
- Click Catalog.
- Expand and navigate the shared folders into the CARLI reports group. The report is in the following folder:
/Shared Folders/Carli NETWORK 01CARLI_NETWORK/Item Maintenance Reports
- Locate the Item Maintenance Barcode Has Trailing Space Character report, click Open.
- If your library has items with this condition, you will see the results. Columns include Library Name, Location Name, Permanent Call Number, Description, Barcode, Barcode showing blanks*, Item ID, MMS ID, Title.
* In the Barcode showing blanks column, the blank space has been replaced by the high dot character, "⸱" for better visibility.
- You may export the report to Excel: Scroll to the end of the page, click Export > Data > Excel.
To correct this error, you may do a keyword search for the barcode, or search by the Title or MMS ID.
- Search Physical Items for your item
- Click Edit Item
- Place your cursor at the end of the barcode, then use delete or backspace to remove any blanks after the numbers.
- Highlight the contents of the barcode field to check whether any blanks remain. If blanks are removed, click Save.