A barcode TDL for Tally Prime is a small customisation file, written in Tally's own definition language, that loads into Tally and adds what Tally does not do on its own, most often printing barcode labels from the stock item master or from a voucher. Tally Prime already keeps a barcode in the stock item alias and accepts a scan at Name of Item, so a TDL is about the stickers and sometimes about extra fields on the label. A good one, set up by your Tally partner and tested on your Tally release, works well for many businesses. The care is needed with a "free download" TDL from an unknown site, because it runs inside the same Tally that holds your books. This post explains what a barcode TDL usually adds, the risks to weigh, the questions to ask your partner before anything is loaded, and the route that gives you barcode stickers and scanning without any TDL inside Tally.
What a barcode TDL usually adds
The exact list depends on who wrote it, but the common additions are:
- A print option that turns stock items into a sheet of barcode labels
- Choice of label size and how many labels per item
- Extra fields on the label, such as MRP or a batch
- Sometimes a quantity prompt, so a scan books more than one piece
Ask for a demo of each one you need. A TDL that prints labels may still leave the quantity to be typed on every scan.
Why a free download deserves care
A TDL file loads into Tally and works on the same data your accountant files GST from. Before loading one from an unknown site, weigh these:
- You cannot see who wrote it. If something goes wrong, nobody answers the phone.
- Tally releases change. A TDL written for an older release may stop working, or misbehave, after you update Tally.
- It can slow vouchers. Poorly written customisations add work to every voucher you save.
- It stays loaded. Months later, nobody remembers why that file is there.
None of this is a reason to avoid TDLs. It is a reason to get one through someone who will support it.
What to ask your Tally partner
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which Tally Prime release has this been tested on? | Updates are where customisations break |
| Can I see a printed sheet on my sticker paper? | Label sizes differ by brand |
| Does one scan add a whole box, or one piece? | This decides how much typing is left |
| Who fixes it after a Tally update, and how fast? | Billing stops if the label print fails |
| Can it be removed cleanly if we stop using it? | You should be able to go back |
The no-TDL route
Some businesses would rather keep Tally exactly as their partner set it up. In that case the stickers and the scanning can live outside Tally and the bills still land in it.
With barcode labels for Tally Prime, Takkada prints stickers from a purchase bill, an item or a picked list of items, with the box quantity inside each code, and scans them into sales invoices, purchases, challans, GRNs and stock journals by phone camera, Bluetooth gun or USB gun. Nothing is installed inside Tally. Your TDLs and partner customisations stay as they are, and each bill reaches Tally as an ordinary voucher. The step-by-step for barcodes in Tally Prime covers the alias method if you want to start there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a TDL to use barcodes in Tally Prime?
A: No, scanning works without one. Tally Prime reads a barcode saved in the stock item alias. A TDL is usually about printing the labels, which Tally does not do on its own.
Q: Is a free barcode TDL safe to use?
A: It depends on who wrote it. A TDL runs inside your Tally, so get it from a partner who has tested it on your release and will fix it after updates.
Q: Will a barcode TDL still work after I update Tally Prime?
A: Ask before you update. Customisations written for an older release can need changes, so check with whoever supports the TDL.
Q: Can I print barcode stickers without installing anything in Tally?
A: Yes. A separate label tool or an app working next to Tally can print the stickers, and the scanned bills still reach Tally as normal vouchers.
Talk to us
WhatsApp us at https://wa.me/919435977777 and we will show you the no-TDL route on one of your items.