# Prepare, compare and close with honest status

Import stock, save a blind count, reveal differences after counting and keep missing items explicit.

Source: https://help.smartfact.ai/countbench/guides/prepare-and-review

Audience: Supervisor

Import stock, save a blind count, reveal differences after counting and keep missing items explicit.

## Prepare, compare and close with honest status

1. **Start a prepared count**

   Start a prepared count.

   Choose the count type and storage before scanning. This practice will use an isolated saved count.

2. **Choose stock-file comparison**

   Choose stock-file comparison.

   Compare with a stock file imports expected quantities and lets you select locations. The original stock file remains available in a backup.

3. **Name the count**

   Name the count.

   Use a title the team can recognise. No customer information is needed in this example.

4. **Load the stock file**

   Load the stock file.

   This prepared CSV is supplied only for practice. The real file importer checks its contents.

5. **Check and use the stock file**

   Check and use the stock file.

   The real import uses the example file and its planned locations. Do not skip file checks in production.

6. **Keep expected totals hidden**

   Keep expected totals hidden.

   Blind counting hides expected quantities during counting. It is a way of working, not protection for the stock file or backup.

7. **Save the count on this device**

   Save the count on this device.

   The normal application saves to this browser. Training uses its own database and cannot change your saved counts.

8. **Start the prepared count**

   Start the prepared count.

   The accepted count opens only after setup is valid. It will save each accepted change in the practice database.

9. **Choose the counting location**

   Choose the counting location.

   Check the location before scanning items. Stock at different locations is counted separately.

10. **Select the example rack**

   Select the example rack.

   Use RACK-A for this lesson. Check the real rack label before starting a count.

11. **Start scanning**

   Start scanning.

   Start scanning before presenting an item. Each complete code keeps its leading zeroes.

12. **Scan the complete item code**

   Scan the complete item code.

   This simulated keyboard scan identifies item 000017. Count what is present before entering a total.

13. **Enter eight items**

   Enter eight items.

   Enter the total present, rather than the expected stock. The accepted result becomes eight at RACK-A.

14. **Scan an item with none present**

   Scan an item with none present.

   Use a real zero when you checked the location and found no units. Leaving an item uncounted means something different.

15. **Record zero present**

   Record zero present.

   This item was checked and has zero present. Missing counts are never silently changed to zero.

16. **Pause scanning**

   Pause scanning.

   Pause before changing screens or putting the device down. A scan received while paused is not counted.

17. **Finish counting and review**

   Finish counting and review.

   Review separates counted items, zeroes and missing counts. The example still has uncounted locations.

18. **Ask to reveal the comparison**

   Ask to reveal the comparison.

   Only reveal expected quantities after counting. Once revealed, this count cannot be made blind again.

19. **Reveal expected quantities**

   Reveal expected quantities.

   The confirmation is recorded. Differences are now visible alongside accepted counts.

20. **Review closing an incomplete count**

   Review closing an incomplete count.

   Missing planned items remain uncounted. Close as incomplete only with a reason that explains the limitation.

21. **Record the incomplete-count reason**

   Record the incomplete-count reason.

   This example stops before the other locations are counted. Keep that limitation with every result.

22. **Close with the limitation retained**

   Close with the limitation retained.

   The result closes as incomplete. No missing quantity is invented or turned into zero.

23. **Download the results CSV**

   Download the results CSV.

   The real exporter prepares this file from the current count. Keep draft and incomplete status with the figures. A backup contains the original stock file, including hidden expected quantities.

[Watch or practise this chapter](https://help.smartfact.ai/countbench/demo?guide=prepare-and-review&chapter=prepare-and-review&audience=office)

Keep unknown and incomplete results clearly marked. Training sends no email and does not prepare the Help site for offline use.