GS1 DataBar Barcode FAQ & Tutorial

GS1 DataBar (previously RSS-14), also known as GS1 DataBar Omni-directional is capable of encoding up to 20,000,000,000,000 (20 trillion) values. This symbol was approved for use in POS environments after January 1, 2010.

• There is an implied AI of 01 that should not be part of the DataToEncode, except when using DataBar Expanded.
• A linkage flag determines if there is a Composite 2D barcode associated with the barcode. The encoder selects either a "1" (true) or "0" (false) value as the first character in the barcode based on the IsComposite encoder property and should not be included in the DataToEncode.
  
• The next 14 characters in GS1 DataBar are the 13 data characters plus a MOD 10 check-digit. The check-digit is not actually encoded in the barcode but should be included as part of the DataToEncode property. If the check-digit is not known, a zero may be used.
  
• If less than 14 characters are entered in the DataToEncode property, zeroes are padded to the front after the linkage flag. Non-numeric characters are stripped from the DataToEncode property.
  
  Fig. 1. DataBar Omni-directional Barcode Encoding GTIN "20012345678909":
  
   
  
  Note: The human readable text under this barcode does not display the linkage flag of zero.

GS1 DataBar Truncated (RSS-14 Truncated) has the exact same data characteristics as the GS1 DataBar barcode, but the bar height is set to the minimum of 13 times the X dimension.

• The DataBar Barcode Font Package contains a 13x font specifically for this purpose. This symbology is not approved for use in POS systems.
  
  Fig. 2. DataBar Truncated Barcode Encoding "00012345678905":
  
   

GS1 DataBar Stacked (RSS-14 Stacked) barcodes have the same data characteristics as GS1 DataBar. The data to encode is split in half and encoded as a split-level barcode, and this format is used if the width of the barcode is an issue.

• The height of the top row of the GS1 DataBar Stacked barcode is 5 times the X dimension, and the height of the bottom row is 7 times the X dimension. The DataBar Font Package contains a stacked font that is an exact match for these specifications. The barcode contains a separator pattern which contains no data and has a height equal to one X dimension. Because the GS1 DataBar Stacked symbology cannot be scanned omni-directionally, it is not approved for use in all POS systems.
  
  Fig. 3. DataBar Stacked Barcode Encoding "00012345678905":
  
   

GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni-directional (RSS-14 Stacked Omni-directional) barcodes have the  same data characteristics as GS1 DataBar. This symbol was approved for use in POS environments after January 1, 2010.

• The data to encode is separated to create a split-level barcode, and the height of each row is ascertained from the bar height property of the control. The barcode contains a separator pattern which contains no data and has a height equal to 3 times the X dimension. The IDAutomation DataBar Font Package contains a stacked font named DataBar 34 for this specific purpose.
  
  Fig. 4. DataBar Stacked Omni-Directional Barcode Encoding "00123456789012":
  
   

GS1 DataBar Limited (RSS-14 Limited) barcodes have the same data characteristics as the GS1 DataBar barcode, although it may only include values up to 4,000,000,000,000 (4 trillion).

• This symbology is specifically designed to be read by wands and handheld laser scanners, and cannot be read efficiently by omni-directional scanners. The sample below is encoding the data 15012345678907:
  
  Fig. 5. DataBar Limited Barcode Encoding "15012345678907":
  
   

GS1 DataBar Expanded (RSS-14 Expanded) is a variable length, expanded version of the DataBar barcode symbology which is capable of encoding the 14-digit GTIN, and additional data such as expiration dates, country of origin and serial numbers - up to 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters.

• Omni-directional is not normally part of the title of this symbology, even though it is omni-directional and approved for POS use after 1-1-2010. This symbology does allow for the linkage flag, which determines if there is a 2D composite barcode associated with the linear barcode. This symbology may be used in a variety of ways, and has specific encoding methods for particular Application Identifiers (AI's) and encodes data more efficiently for certain AI combinations. AI's must be entered manually to ensure the proper encoding method is used. When using this barcode symbology with IDAutomation products, parentheses must be placed around each AI as in the examples below.
  
  Specific AI formats are optimized to create the most efficient barcode. The following is a table of optimized AI combinations:
• Data containing AI's -- (01) and (3103); Example: (01)90012345678908(3103)001750
• Data containing AI's -- (01) and either (3202) or (3203); Example: (01)90012345678908(3202)000156
• Data containing AI's -- (01) and (392x) where x ranges from 1 to 3 Example: (01)90012345678908(3922)795
• Data containing AI's -- (01) and (393x) where x ranges from 1 to 3 Example: (01)90012345678908(3932)0401234
• Data containing AI's -- (01) and either (310x) or (320x) where x ranges from 1 to 9 and either AI's (11) or (13) or (15) or (17); Example (01)90012345678908(3103)012233(15)991231
  
  Fig. 6. DataBar Expanded Barcode Encoding "(01)98898765432106(3202)012345(15)991231":
  
   

GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked Omni-directional (RSS-14 Expanded Stacked Omni-directional) has the same data characteristics as GS1 DataBar Expanded, but it may be stacked to decrease width and increase height.

• This type of DataBar barcode is commonly used for coupons, and can encode additional data in POS environments such as the expiration date, product weight, country of origin and serial numbers. A DataBar Expanded barcode symbol is stacked by changing the Segments property to a low, even value, such as 4 or 6. The number of segments chosen may produce 2 or more rows. The IDAutomation DataBar Font Package contains a stacked DataBar 34 font for this specific purpose. This symbol is omni-directional and approved for POS use after January 1, 2010, even when stacked.
  
  Fig. 7. 4-Segment DataBar Expanded Stacked Barcode Encoding GTIN, Weight and Sell By Date "(01)98898765432106(3202)012345(15)991231":
  
   
  
  Fig. 8. 6-Segment DataBar Coupon Barcode Encoding "(8110)10014141012345290110100":
  
   
  
  Fig. 9. DataBar POS Barcode Encoding GTIN, Price, Weight, Expiration Date, Country of Origin and Serial Number "(01)09501101420069(3922)995(3202)000100(17)100101(422)123(21)123456":