Keyboard Shortcuts

Cashier Manager

Use this page to see which keyboard keys work on the register, and where.

At a glance

• The register is built for touch. Only Enter and Escape work, and only in certain places. There are no function-key or Ctrl shortcuts.
• Scanning a barcode works anywhere on the register screen. You don't need to click the search box first.
• Typing a product name needs you to click the search box first.
• Enter saves a cart quantity edit, holds an order after you type its name, picks a highlighted variation and submits a manager PIN.
• Escape cancels a quantity edit and closes the variation picker, modifier picker and sale windows.
• PIN login, the time clock, cash amounts and weight entry use the on-screen keypad only.

Common questions

I scan a barcode and it just types into the search box. The code must be at least 8 characters, and the scanner must send Enter after each scan. See Barcode Scanner.

Escape doesn't close this window. Only the windows listed below respond to Escape. Use the close (X) or Cancel button.

Can I type my PIN on the keyboard? Not at sign-in or the time clock — tap the on-screen keypad. In a manager PIN box you can type it and press Enter.

---

More detail: product search and barcode scans

Brother POS is built mainly for touch, so the register has only a small set of keyboard keys. Enter and Escape work in the specific places listed below. Don't expect them to work everywhere. There are no function-key or Ctrl shortcuts.

Product Search

Key	What it does
Click the search box, then type	Search products by name
Enter after a scan	Ends a barcode scan so the product is looked up

The product search box is not selected automatically when the register loads, so click or tap it before typing. For barcode scanning you don't need to: scans are picked up anywhere on the register screen.

Barcode Scanner Input

A barcode scanner types like a keyboard. Brother POS recognizes a scan because the characters arrive very fast and end with Enter. A few rules:

• Codes shorter than 8 characters are never treated as product scans.
• Scanning into the search box still counts as a scan.
• While you're typing in another text box (such as customer search), scanned characters go into that box instead.

See Barcode Scanner for the full details.

More detail: every place Enter and Escape work

Where Enter and Escape Work

Cart Quantity

Tap a cart item's quantity to edit it, then:

Key	What it does
Enter	Save the new quantity
Escape	Cancel the edit

Weighed items sold in preset sizes show a count instead of an editable quantity. Use the + and - buttons for those.

Hold Order

Key	What it does
Type	Enter the order name
Enter	Hold the order

Variation Picker

Key	What it does
↑ / ↓	Move the highlight through the variations
Enter	Choose the highlighted variation
Escape	Close the picker

Modifier Picker

Key	What it does
Enter	Add the item to the cart, once all required choices are made (not while typing in a notes box)
Escape	Close the picker

Sale Windows

In Recent Sales, press Escape to close the receipt window. It also closes the void, edit order, cash in and cash out windows, and the manager PIN box. If one window is open on top of another, Escape closes the top one. A window that is still sending (a void in progress) stays open.

Manager PIN Prompts

In the Manager Override window, and in the manager PIN box when voiding a sale, type the PIN and press Enter to submit.

Lookups

In the gift card lookup and the promo code box of the discount window, press Enter to run the lookup.

More detail: on-screen keypad only, and faster checkout

Things That Use the On-Screen Keypad Only

These screens use their on-screen buttons, not your physical keyboard:

• PIN login: tap the digits on the keypad.
• Time Clock: tap your PIN on the keypad.
• Cash payment: tap the amount on the keypad or use the quick amount buttons.
• Weight entry: tap the weight on the keypad, then Add to Cart.

Tips for Faster Checkout

The fastest flow with a keyboard and scanner is:

1. Scan each product. It's added to the cart automatically.
2. Search by name with the keyboard for items without a barcode, then tap the product.
3. Tap the payment button and finish on screen.

More detail: scanner settings and tablets

Scanner Settings

Short SKUs

Codes shorter than 8 characters are always treated as search text, never as scans. If your products use short SKUs, switch to longer barcodes or SKUs.

Enter After Each Scan

Your scanner must send Enter after each barcode. If it doesn't:

1. Look in the scanner's programming manual.
2. Scan the "add Enter" (or "carriage return suffix") setup barcode in the manual.
3. Scan a product barcode to test it.

Keyboard Mode

Make sure your scanner is set to keyboard (HID) mode. Brother POS only receives scans from scanners that type like a keyboard.

Tablets

• Bluetooth keyboards work with tablets, and the keys listed above work the same way.
• External barcode scanners (Bluetooth or USB-C) work the same as on a computer.
• The on-screen keyboard has no Escape key, so use the on-screen close buttons instead.

More detail: troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Typing doesn't search products	Click the search box first. It isn't selected automatically.
A scan shows up as text in the search box but nothing is added	Check the code is at least 8 characters (prize codes can be 7) and that the scanner sends Enter.
Enter does nothing	Enter only works in the places listed above. Some windows need a field filled in first.
Escape doesn't close a window	Only the windows listed above respond to Escape. For the rest, use the close (X) or Cancel button.

More detail: quick reference table

Quick Reference

Action	Key
Search for a product	Click the search box, then type
Barcode scan	Automatic (the scanner sends Enter)
Save a cart quantity edit	Enter (Escape cancels)
Hold an order	Type the name, then Enter
Choose a variation	↑ / ↓, then Enter
Add an item from the modifier picker	Enter
Close the variation or modifier picker	Escape
Submit a manager PIN	Type the PIN, then Enter

---

What's Next?

• Barcode Scanner: scanner setup and scanning rules
• Making a Sale: the complete sales workflow
• Manager Override: PIN-based authorization