Native Crystal Reports User Manual
NOTE: This product supports Crystal version 9 and later. Refer to the
Crystal Integration Guide
for products that support earlier versions.
Legal Notice: This product is
Patented. Reports containing this object may only be distributed outside
the licensed organization with the purchase of a Developer License to the
Native Barcode Generator.
The Native Barcode Generator is an object that may be easily inserted
into a Crystal Report to create barcode images. Once installed in a report,
no other components or fonts need to be installed to create barcodes; it
is the complete barcode generator that stays with the report, even when
distributed.
The Crystal Reports Native Barcode Generator supports the following symbologies:
The following barcode symbologies may be created upon request with the
purchase of the Unlimited Developer License:
- Code 93
- Intelligent Mail (AKA OneCode)
Installing the Native Barcode Generator is a fairly simple process. Several
generators are created for different barcode types.
- Extract the files from the Native Barcode Generator package.
- Several generators are created for different barcode types. Open
the report that represents the bar code type that is needed. If in doubt,
IDAutomation recommends choosing Code 128 Auto, which is in the file
named IDAutomation Native - Code 128 Auto.rpt.
- Choose View - Design to switch to design mode and locate the Native
Barcode Generator on the report.
- Highlight the Native Barcode Generator object and choose Edit -
Copy. The Native Barcode Generator object is the first field in the
details area that contains very small text.
- Open the report the barcode is needed for and choose Edit - Paste
to paste the Native Barcode Generator object where it is desired.
- When
using Code 128 and
GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128), the text object just below the Native Barcode
Generator object should also be copied, if it is desired to have the
text interpretation appear below the barcode.
- Highlight the object and choose Edit - Edit Formula.
- Modify the "DataToEncode =" line of
the formula to equal the data that is to be encoded in the barcode.
If an error such as "A string is required" appears, the data will
need to be converted to a string with a crystal function. For example:
DataToEncode =
cStr( {Table1_.FloatValueField},0 )
- Optionally, variables below the "DataToEncode
=" line of the formula may be changed as necessary.
- When changing
the "BarHeight =" variable, the size of the object must also be increased
so that taller barcodes may be contained. The approximate height is
determined with the following formula:
Height in Inches = (Font Size) * (BarHeight) *
0.015
Height in CM = (Font Size) * (BarHeight) * 0.04
For
example, the default BarHeight of 8 equals about 0.3 inches and 1
centimeter.
- If it is necessary to change the X dimension or barcode width, highlight
the object and change the font point size. The point size must be small,
generally 3 or 4 points. Because the drop down box does not contain
these small sizes, they must be manually typed in. The font selected
for the object must be "Courier New" or another mono-spaced unicode
font.
|
Point Size
|
Approximate X
Dimension
|
| 2 |
08 Mils |
| 3 |
12 Mils |
| 4 |
16 Mils |
| 5 |
20 Mils |
| 6 |
24 Mils |
| 7 |
28 Mils |
| 8 |
32 Mils |
- Run the report to verify barcodes are being properly created. Ensure
the object has been sized properly to contain the entire barcode. If
the width of the symbol is larger then the object, several white lines
will appear.
- Print the report to verify that the barcodes are created properly
and that they can be scanned with a scanner. If a scanner is needed
to verify barcodes, IDAutomation offers several
affordable, barcode
scanner kits including
plug-and-play
USB scanners.
- It is normal to view some distortion of the symbol on the screen
because of low screen resolution. However, the barcodes should be accurate
when printed.
Common Problems and Solutions:
- If scanning problems are encountered, verify a printer of 600 DPI
or greater is being used. A large point size such as 5 points must be
used with low resolution printers. IDAutomation also offers many barcode
fonts that
print well
to low resolution printers.
- Ensure the barcode can fit in the object. If the width of the barcode
is larger then the object, several white lines will appear.
- The font selected for the object should be "Courier New," "Lucida
Console" or another mono-spaced Unicode font.
A proportional font may also be used for some linear barcode types,
however it is not recommended. If a proportional font is used, change
MonoSpaceFont = True to MonoSpaceFont = False in the formula.
- If several small question marks appear instead of a barcode when
creating a PDF for performing other conversions of the report, it is
an indication that the component performing the conversion is not
Unicode compliant. In this situation,
contact the component vendor to obtain an updated or
Unicode compliant version.
- In the event white lines appear in the barcode, highlight the object
and choose Format - Field - Paragraph. Adjust the line spacing to the
largest size that eliminates white lines in the symbol. Generally, the
setting of 0.8 to 0.95 is used for the "Courier New" font.
- The Data Matrix and PDF417 Generators provided in the 2D version
may generate slowly because of the complex algorithms used in these
symbologies. IDAutomation recommends encoding 50 characters or less
when using these symbologies. More data may be encoded, although the
report may take longer to generate. To quickly generate 2D barcodes
in Crystal Reports, use the supplied UFL in the IDAutomation
Data Matrix
Font and Encoder or the
PDF417 Font and
Encoder.
- If an error such as "A string is required" appears, the data will
need to be converted to a string with a crystal function.
For example:
DataToEncode =
cStr( {Table1_.NumberField1},0 )
Additional problems and solutions are provided on the
barcode font troubleshooting page and by searching resolved
public
forum threads.
Priority
phone, email and forum support is provided up to 30 days after
purchase. Additional
priority
phone, email and forum support may be obtained with an active
Priority Support
and Upgrade Subscription.
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