ActiveX Barcode Control & DLL Tutorial

1. Word 2000/2003 Choose View - Toolbars - Control Toolbox. There should now be a toolbox visible. On the toolbox, choose the "more controls button."
   
   Word 2007/2010 Select the Developer tab. In the Controls box, select Legacy Tools  and choose the "more controls button."
   
2. Select the barcode control from the list of available ActiveX Controls and it will appear in the document.
3. Size the control as necessary.
4. To adjust the barcode control properties, right-click on the control and choose properties. When finished, click on the "design mode button."
   
5. To adjust the barcode control properties, the user must be in design mode. If problems are encountered editing the properties of the control, press the design mode button to enable it.
6. The data encoded in the barcode may be static or modified with the use of VBA code.
   
   ActiveX Barcode Controls cannot be linked to a mail-merge field in Microsoft Word. If this is required, consider using barcode fonts, which may be linked to a mail-merge source. For more information, visit the Microsoft Word Barcode Tutorial.

IDAutomation ActiveX Barcode Controls work well in Microsoft Access. When used in reports and forms, these controls may be dragged into the design area and connected to database fields.

1. Open the report in design mode. Access 2000/2003 Choose insert - ActiveX control.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Access 2007/2010 While in Design View, Select the Design tab* -Select the side drop down - Select ActiveX Controls.
   
   *If no Design Tab is available, click Create Tab and add Form or Report. This will prompt you to save the Table data and after the table name is saved, the Design Tab will become available.
2. Move and size the control necessary. To change the properties of the control, such as barcode height and symbology type, right click on the control and choose properties.
3. In the Property Sheet drop down menu, select Report and change the Record Source to the table where the barcode field of the ActiveX control resides:
   
4. To bind the barcode to a data source, select the table in the control source field in the same manner as for a text control.
5. Verify the correct data is encoded in the barcode. If it does not, consult Access Help to determine how to get the correct data in the Control Source field. The result of the Control Source is what will be encoded in the barcode. When working with multiple tables, it may be necessary to specify both the table and field in the control source; for example:
   
   =([Table1.Field1])
    
6. Optional: A single formula or VB Script may be used in the control source property, which allows the combining of multiple fields and/or prefix and suffix values. For example:
   
   ="PREFIX" & [Field1]
   =[Field1] & [Field2]
   =[Field1] & "," & [Field2]
   =("PrefixText"&[Table1.Field1] & "~009" & [Table1.Field2] & "SuffixText")
   
   When distributing an Access Database, the ActiveX Barcode Control must be installed on each computer used to print barcodes. For a complete barcode generator object that stays embedded in the database, consider the Native Barcode Generator for Access.

ActiveX Barcode Controls may be used in Microsoft Excel and may be modified by referencing a cell, or via the use of VBA code.

1. Excel 2000/2003 Choose View - Toolbars - Control Toolbox. There should now be a toolbox visible. On the tool box, choose the "more controls button."
   
   Excel 2007/2010 Select the Developer tab. - In the Controls box, select Insert and choose the "more controls button."
2. Select the barcode control from the list of available ActiveX Controls. Click and drag the control for desired placement in the spreadsheet and size it as necessary.
3. To modify the properties of the control, right-click on the control and choose properties. When finished, click on the "design mode button."
   
4. To edit the properties of the control, the user must be in design mode. If problems are experienced when editing the properties of the control, press the design mode button to enable it.
5. To link a cell to the data to be encoded in the barcode, enter the cell in the "LinkedCell" property of the control.
   
   ActiveX Controls cannot be used to populate a column in Excel and must be placed individually. If this is needed, consider barcode fonts which can be used to generate a column of barcodes.

ActiveX Barcode Controls may be used in HTML or Microsoft FrontPage to create barcodes in dynamically generated webpages.

Using the ActiveX Barcode Control in FrontPage

1. Choose Insert - Advanced - ActiveX Control (In FrontPage 2003, choose Insert - Web Component - Advanced Controls - ActiveX Control). If the control does not appear in the list, choose Customize to add it to the list of controls and select Finish.
2. The control will appear in the web page. Right-click on the control to adjust properties as necessary.
3. The control must be installed on every PC that accesses the web page displaying the ActiveX control. To enable the control to automatically install, if it is not already installed, enter the file name and path of the signed CAB file, which is provided in the download package. IDAutomation supplies signed CAB files in the package for this purpose. IDAutomation also provides an online example of installing the ActiveX Barcode with a CAB file and an dynamic ActiveX Control Example viewable in Internet Explorer only.
   
   
   
   ActiveX Controls only work with web browsers that support ActiveX. If support for other browsers is required, please review the Internet Barcode FAQ.

Using the ActiveX Barcode Control in HTML

1. Copy and paste the following object code into any HTML editor:
   
   <object classid="clsid:0C3874AA-AB39-4B5E-A768-45F3CE6C6819" id="IDAutomationBarcode" width="300" height="80" codebase="http://www.yourdomain.com/activex/IDAutomationLinear.cab">
   <param name="DataToEncode" value="Linear ActiveX">
   </object>
    
2. If the Linear ActiveX Barcode Control is not being used, replace the Class ID with the values listed below:
   
   Aztec:
   EBA15B30-80B4-11DC-B31D-0050C2490048
   
   DataMatrix:
   DB67DB99-616A-4CAB-A3A1-2EF644F254E7
   
   MaxiCode:
   3F66852C-5FD8-4E70-A897-ECC1DE14019F
   
   PDF417:
   E97EE6EB-7FBE-43B1-B6D8-C4D86C78C5A0
    
3. Modify as necessary to size the area the barcode control will occupy.
4. Change codebase= to the location of the CAB file.
5. Modify other properties by specifying the param name= and value= as demonstrated in step 1 with the DataToEncode property.

IDAutomation ActiveX Barcode Controls perform well in Visual Basic 6. To activate the ActiveX Barcode Control in a VB 6 project, follow these steps:

1. Choose Project - Components from the menu.
2. Select the barcode control from the list.
3. Choose View - Toolbox. After the control appears in the toolbox, it may be placed in the VB project.
4. To change the properties of the control, right-click on the control and choose properties.
5. Use "code behind" to modify properties of the control, for example:
   
   BarCode1.BarHeight=2
   BarCode1.DataToEncode="12345678901"
   BarCode1.SaveEnhWMF "C:\saved-barcode.wmf"

Methods of printing from the ActiveX Barcode Control in Visual Basic are as follows:

1. Print Directly To The Printer: The print method below sends the graphic barcode image directly to the printer starting at position X=2048 and Y=1024:
   
   Private Sub PrintDirect_Click()
      Printer.PaintPicture BarCode1.Picture, 2048, 1024
      Printer.EndDoc
   End Sub
    
2. PrintForm: This printing method prints the actual form with the barcode control and prints at the screen DPI. Therefore, narrow-bar widths smaller than .03CM cannot be printed. Below is code from a button on the form that performs this task:
   
   Private Sub PrintForm_Click()
      Me.PrintForm
   End Sub
    
3. Copy To Clipboard: This method sends the barcode image graphic directly to clipboard:
   
   Private Sub CopyToClipboard_Click()
      Clipboard.Clear
      Clipboard.SetData BarCode1.Picture, vbCFMetafile
      'Optionally, display in an image box
      Image1.Picture = BarCode1.Picture
   End Sub
    
4. Save To File: This method saves the barcode image graphic directly to a file that may be imported into an application that can display WMF files such as Microsoft Word:
   
   Private Sub SaveToFile_Click()
      BarCode1.SaveEnhWMF "SavedBarCode.wmf"
   End Sub
    
5. Use The Control as a DLL - The code below loads the barcode control and prints without it being placed on a form:
   
   Dim BC
   Set BC = CreateObject("IDAuto.BarCode")
   BC.DataToEncode = "DLL-TEST"
   Printer.PaintPicture BC.Picture, 2048, 1024
   Printer.EndDoc
   Set BC = Nothing
   
   When Visual Basic.NET is used, consider the .NET Forms Barcode Control because it is a managed code assembly and is easier to use in .NET.

1. Choose the resource tab to view dialogs.
2. To add a control to the dialog, right-click on the dialog form to the right and choose "Insert ActiveX Control."
3. Select the correct barcode control from the list. The control should then appear in the dialog. Download the C++ barcode project for an implementation example.

1. In a Visual Foxpro Form, select the "OLE Container" from the standard toolbox.
2. After the "Insert Object" dialog box opens, select an ActiveX Barcode Control that begins with "IDAutomation."
3. The characteristics may be modified as necessary in the properties window.
4. To print barcodes on reports or labels, a field must be used to store the barcode and it must be setup as an OLE Control with the data type of "general." Download the IDAutomation VFP barcode for an example for Visual FoxPro 6.0.

IDAutomation recommends using default values for all properties, unless requirements dictate otherwise.
Property Name	Default	Property Description
AddCheckDigit	1	AddCheckDigit automatically adds the check digit to the barcode if it is equal to 1. The check digit is required for all barcodes except Code 39, Industrial 2 of 5 and Codabar barcodes.
AddCheckDigitToText	1	AddCheckDigitToText automatically adds the check digit that is encoded in the barcode to the human readable text that is displayed if it is equal to 1.
ApplyTilde	1	When ApplyTilde is set to "1" in Code 128 with the Auto character set, the format ~ddd may be used to specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded. Several other tilde options are also enabled.
BackColor	16777215	The background color of the barcode specified as a number defined by the Visual Basic Color Constant. The background color represented as an integer number from 0 (black) to 16777215 (white) by combining the red, green, and blue values (each ranging from 0 to 255) to represent a color with the following formula: ((red * 1) + (green * 256) + (blue * 65,536)).
BarHeight	1	The height of the barcode in centimeters (CM).
BearerBarHorizontal	0	The width of the horizontal bearer bars as a multiple of the XDimension; valid options are 0-10.
BearerBarVertical	0	The width of the vertical bearer bars as a multiple of the XDimension; valid options are 0-10.
CodabarStartCharacter	A	The Start Character in the Codabar barcode.
CodabarStopCharacter	B	The Stop Character in the Codabar barcode.
Code128CharSet	0	The set of characters to be used in Code128. Valid values are: Auto=0, A=1, B=2 or C=3. IDAutomation recommends using Auto.
DataToEncode	na	The data to be encoded in the barcode. If the barcode control is connected to a control source, the source will override this property.
EANUPCSupplement	0	The number of digits the UPC or EAN supplement will contain.
FixedResolutionCM	0	Sets the pixels per CM, useful when setting the resolution of the output image. The default setting is "0."
Font	Arial 8 Points	Used to change the font or point size of the text interpretation or human readable text. In VB, this property may be changed in code. For example: BarCode1.Font.Size = 10  BarCode1.Font.Name = "Times New Roman"
ForeColor	0	The color of the foreground text and bars in the barcode specified by the Visual Basic Color Constant. The background color represented as an integer number from 0 (black) to 16777215 (white) obtained by combining the red, green, and blue values (each ranging from 0 to 255) to represent a color with the following formula: ((red * 1) + (green * 256) + (blue * 65,536)). Black = 0.
LeftMarginCM	0.1	The space of the left margin in centimeters (CM).
NarrowBarWidth or NarrowBarCM	0.03	NarrowBarWidth is the width in centimeters of the narrow bars. This is also referred to as the X dimension. The default is 0.03 CM, which is about .012" or 12 mils. This value may need to be increased if the scanner being used cannot read barcodes with small X dimensions.
Orientation	Zero degrees	Orientation indicates the orientation of the barcode. Valid values are Zero degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees.
Picture	image	Returns a WMF image without resolution information.
PostnetHeightShortBar	0.125	The size in centimeters of the short bars when using Planet and Postnet symbologies, and the tracker bar when using Intelligent Mail (formerly OneCode).
PostnetHeightTallBar	0.30	The size in centimeters of the tall bars when using Intelligent Mail (formerly OneCode), Planet and Postnet symbologies.
ShowText	Yes	If ShowText is yes (the default), the human readable text will be displayed with the barcode.
SupplementToEncode	null	The 2 or 5 digit supplement to be encoded after the UPC or EAN barcodes. This property will populate automatically when the extra digits are added to the DataToEncode.
SymbologyID	13	A number that selects the symbology or barcode type: 0=Code 39 1=Code 39 ASCII 2=Interleaved 2 of 5 3=Code 11 4=Codabar 5=MSI 6=UPC-A 7=Industrial 2 of 5 8=Matrix 2 of 5 9=Code 93 10=EAN-13 11=EAN-8 12=UPC-E 13=Code-128 14=Planet 15=Postnet 16=UCC128 17=OneCode
TopMarginCM	0.06	The top margin in centimeters.
UPCESystem	0	The encoding system to be used for UPC-E; valid values are 0 and 1.
WhiteBarIncrease	0	A percentage value to increase the white space between the bars to improve readability. Common values are 10, 15, 20 and 25. *
Wide2NarrowRatio	2	The wide to narrow ratio of symbologies that only contain narrow and wide bars such as Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5 and MSI. Common values are 2, 2.5, 2.75 and 3.

GetEnhWMF()		Returns an enhanced WMF image with resolution information.
GetXPixels()		Returns the X dimension pixels of the image after it is created.
GetYPixels()		Returns the Y dimension pixels of the image after it is created.
SaveBarCode(path as String)		Saves a WMF file without any resolution information.
SaveEnhWMF(path as String)		Saves a WMF file with resolution information.
SetPixelsXY(XPixels as Long,YPixels as Long)		Sets the pixels of the WMF file.

IDAutomation recommends using default values for all properties, unless requirements dictate otherwise.
Property Name	Default	Property Description
EncodingMode	E_BASE256	Valid Encoding Mode values are E_ASCII, E_C40, E_TEXT or E_BASE256.
MarginCM	0.10	The top and bottom margin in centimeters.
NarrowBarCM	0.05	The width in centimeters of the narrow bars; which is also referred to as the X dimension. The default is 0.05 CM which is about .02" or 20 mils. This value may need to be increased if the scanner cannot read barcodes with small X dimensions. If using a high quality barcode imager, this value may be decreased to obtain a higher density barcode.
PreferredFormat	-1	Sets the preferred Data Matrix formats represented by a number; valid values are from 0 (10X10) to 23 (144X144) and from 24 (8X18) to 29 (16X48); the default value of -1 is used for automatic formatting.
ProcessTilde	No	When set to "Yes", the tilde (~) will be processed as explained in the DataMatrix Barcode FAQ.

IDAutomation recommends using default values for all properties, unless requirements dictate otherwise.
Property Name	Default	Property Description
ApplyTilde	1	When set to "1," the format ~ddd may be used to specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded as explained in the Maxicode Barcode FAQ. A setting of "0" will disable ApplyTilde.
Country	na	A 3 digit number representing the country code. Proper implementation for UPS and other transportation applications will automatically override this field.
Mode	2	The mode of compression and encoding used in the symbol. Modes 2 and 3 are designed for use in the transport industry. Mode 4 encodes up to 93 characters or 138 digits. Mode 5 encodes up to 77 characters and provides more error correction capabilities than mode 4. Mode 6 indicates that the symbol encodes a message used to program a reader system or barcode scanner.
ServiceClass	na	A 3-digit number representing the service code. Proper implementation for UPS and other transportation applications will automatically override this field.
ZipCode	na	The postal code; mode 2 uses a 9-digit numeric postal code and mode 3 uses a 6 character alphanumeric postal code. Proper implementation for UPS and other transportation applications will automatically override this field.

IDAutomation recommends using default values for all properties, unless requirements dictate otherwise.
Property Name	Default	Property Description
ErrorCorrectionLevel	2	The Reed Solomon error correction level encoded in the symbol.
MacroPDFEnable	0	When set to "1," indicates that this barcode is part of a MacroPDF sequence.
MacroPDFFileID	0	Assigns a File ID to the MacroPDF barcode. Each barcode in the MacroPDF sequence must have the same File ID assigned to it. Valid options are 0-899.
MacroPDFSegmentIndex	0	The index number of each MacroPDF symbol must have a unique segment index, starting at zero and incrementing thereafter by one.
MacroPDFLastSegment	0	When set to "1," indicates that this is the final barcode in the MacroPDF sequence.
PDFColumns	5	The number of data columns in the PDF417 barcode. The default is 5 and the maximum is 30.
PDFMode	Binary	The mode of compaction used to encode data in the symbol. When set to "Text," a smaller symbol may be created. Text mode encodes all characters on the US keyboard plus returns and tabs. Binary mode encodes ASCII 1 to 254.
PDFRows	0	Sets the number of rows. It is recommended to leave this setting at 0, the default.
Truncated	0	A truncated PDF417 symbol is more area efficient than normal PDF417. When set to true, the right hand side of the PDF417 is removed or truncated.
XtoYRatio	3	The X multiple height of individual cells; default = 3, usually 2 to 4 times the NarrowBarCM (X).

IDAutomation recommends using default values for all properties, unless requirements dictate otherwise.
Property Name	Default	Property Description
ApplyTilde	False	When set to "True", the format ~d??? may be used to specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded. Commonly used ASCII codes are ~d009 which is a tab function and ~d013 which is a return function.
MessageAppend	na	Specifies the message appended across multiple symbols. Only valid if NumberOfSymbols is greater than 1.
NumberOfSymbols	1	Invokes MessageAppend across # symbols
XDimensionCM	0.06	The width in centimeters of the narrow bars. This value may need to be increased if the scanner cannot read barcodes with small X dimensions. When working with a high quality barcode imager, this value may be decreased to create a smaller symbol.

• Incompatibility with 64bit Versions of Office 2010
• Produces Run-time Error '-2147417848' when Using SaveEnhWMF Method
• Produces Blank Metafile when Initially Called Using Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3
• Barcode Prints But Will Not Scan (or Scan Correctly)
• Extra Character Added To The End of a Codabar or Code 39 Barcode
• Linking to a Field in MSWord
• "A Required File, MSVBVM60.DLL Was Not Found" Error When Running Image Generator.
• Code 128 Check-digits Not Viewable in The Human Readable Form
• "Out of Memory Error" when Creating Many Barcodes in XP
• "Out of Memory Error" in Office 97 Products
• Received an InvalidActiveXStateExceptionError
• Cannot Accurately Adjust X Dimension when Printing with Low Resolution Printers
• Barcodes are Different Sizes when Printing to Printers with Differing Resolutions
• Barcode Size Changes in Design Mode or Size is Not Accurately Displayed on The Screen
• Installing The Control in Common Applications
• Adjusting The Properties of the ActiveX Control
• Lines Appear, Distortion or Other Problems when Printing with IE 5.5
• Notes for Programmers Distributing with Applications
• "There is No Object in This Control" Error or Cannot Adjust Control Properties
• Cannot Find Saved Barcode WMF File on Windows 9X
• Symbology-specific Issues
• Encoding and Scanning Extended ASCII Characters
• Combining Cells in Excel with The "LinkedCell" Property
• Cannot Adjust NarrowBarWidth Accurately when Printing with Low Resolution or Less Than 600 DPI Printers
• Problems Occur After Running The Uninstall For The ActiveX Control
• Can The ActiveX Controls Be Used on a Pocket PC?
• Does The Maxicode Component Support UPS Compression?
• Produces Run-time Error -2147417848 on Computer Running Windows XP SP2
• PDF417 and DataMatrix FontEncoder Functions Do Not Return Data in PowerBuilder
• DataMatrix Control Does Not Save PreferredFormat or EncodingMode Properties in Microsoft Office Programs.
• Evaluation Versions of PDF417 & DataMatrix Font Encoders and UFL's Do Not Function on Windows Server 2003