FileMaker Barcode Font Encoder Plug-in
 
- Easily integrates into File-Maker databases, reports and forms
as a dynamic calculated field.
- Supports many linear barcode types including Code 128, Code
39, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC, EAN, Postnet and Intelligent Mail.
- Compatible with FileMaker and FileMaker Pro versions 4 and higher
for Windows and Macintosh environments.
- Time-saving templates designed to scale for large or small databases,
developers and standard users alike.
- Encode functions within a barcode to accommodate a wide variety
of needs.
- Includes a database example with a barcoded form and report
that may be easily modified to support barcode types by changing
the calculated field.
- Free to use with the evaluation or purchased version of any
IDAutomation barcode font.
Functions List |
Support |
Native Generator
| FileMaker Integration
Guide
This FileMaker Barcode Font Plug-In easily integrates into FileMaker
databases, reports and forms as a dynamic calculated field, without
using special scripts when used with purchased or evaluation IDAutomation
barcode fonts. This FileMaker encoder tool supports many linear barcode
types such as Code 128, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC, EAN, Postnet,
Intelligent Mail and more. This tutorial covers barcode fonts, plug-ins
and extensions for FileMaker versions 4 and higher on Windows and Macintosh
systems, including the universal binary Intel MAC version.
FileMaker Barcode Font Encoder Tool Index
- Integrating Barcode
Fonts with FileMaker
- FileMaker 7 and up Installation for Windows
- FileMaker 7 and up Installation for Macintosh
OS X
- FileMaker 4 to 6 Installation for Windows
- FileMaker 4 to 6 Installation for
Macintosh Classic and OS X
- Generating GS1-128 (EAN128
and UCC128) Barcodes
- Encoding Functions and
Combining Multiple Fields
- Barcode Method Names
- Barcode Function Method
Descriptions
- FileMaker Barcode Font
Plug-In Support
- Other Barcode Software Products
IDAutomation's barcode
fonts may be easily integrated into FileMaker as dynamic calculated
fields without the use of scripts. The barcode fonts and encoder tools
used in this tutorial are compatible with FileMaker versions 4 and up.
| "With the plug-in I was able to make the barcodes and print
them on Avery 6464 labels. The site also has a pretty good tutorial
(with lots of pictures) on how to implement a Barcode solution
using their fonts and plug-ins. I'd recommend this plug-in it
works fine.” - ISO FileMaker Magazine Forum |
- Determine which barcode font to use:
- To encode numbers, consider
Codabar.
- To encode numbers and uppercase letters, consider
Code 39.
- To encode numbers, punctuation, uppercase and lowercase
characters in the USA,
Code 128
is suggested.
- The
Universal
Barcode Font creates multiple barcode types from a single
font and is the preferred font when using Code 128 or Interleaved
2 of 5 outside of the USA to avoid language and locale incompatibilities.
- When creating complex barcodes for UCC/EAN 128 or encoding
functions such as Return or Tab, the Universal Barcode Font
should be used with the IDAu_Uni_C128
function of the plug-in extension.
- Install the selected barcode font and restart FileMaker to verify
that the fonts are available by viewing them in an application such
as Word or Excel that allows font selection. If it is not visible,
restart the computer and try again. If the fonts still do not appear,
refer to IDAutomation's
barcode font problems and solutions.
-
Download the FileMaker Barcode Font Plug-In if using barcode
fonts other than Codabar or Code 39, as these do not require font
encoder tools in FileMaker.
- If FileMaker is running, restart the application. Select
Edit - Preferences - Plug-in (versions
4-6, choose Edit - Preferences - Application). Choose the
Plug-Ins tab to ensure that the IDAutomation plug-in
is enabled.
-
Choose File - Define Database
(versions 4-6, select File - Define Fields.) For
the field name, enter Barcode or another descriptive name.
For the field type, select Calculation, and then Create.
- Click the Create button to generate the calculation,
then choose TEXT as the calculation result. The calculation
that is entered depends on the font used.
- Code 39 and Codabar Barcode Fonts
| "It is simple and easy to integrate IDAutomation's
fonts into FileMaker Pro and as a Developer, I can't
spend hours with a simple Barcode - which in fact -
technically spoken - is quite complex. Therefore, it
makes sense to first use the Demo font and then simply
buy the product.” - Alexis Gehrt, Database Designs,
Laax-Murschetg, Switzerland |
In the Specify Calculation field, enter
"*" & Field & "*"
for Code 39 or "A" & Field & "B"
for Codabar so that the start/stop characters are appended
to the beginning and ending of the field will be encoded.
- Code 128 and Other Barcode Fonts
Choose External
Functions from the view of functions and select the IDAu
function that formats the data for barcode font chosen. Double-click
the function so the formula appears in the formula box.
- Replace the parameter word with the field to be encoded
in the barcode.
- Select TEXT as the Calculation Result and choose
OK. If database size is a concern, select Storage
Options and choose not to store the result in the database.
- Select Done to create the new field. When this field
is combined with the intended barcode font in FileMaker, it
will create an accurate barcode.
Functions in FileMaker versions 4-6 are slightly different.
For example, the above formula in versions 4-6 would be External("IDAu-Code128",
Employee ID).
- With the database form or report open, choose View -
Layout Mode. Choose Insert - Field and select
the field named Barcode from the list of fields and choose
OK. After the barcode field appears on the form, size the
edges appropriately, if necessary, so the barcode can fit on it.
If this field is not large enough, the barcode will display a rectangle
instead of a barcode or a corrupted barcode may be created that
will not scan.
- IDAutomation's Code 39, Codabar, UPC, EAN,
MSI and Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode fonts all have an equivalent
Human Readable version that may be used to display the text interpretation
of the encoded data. If Human Readable fonts are not being used
but there is still a need to have the text interpretation appear
underneath the barcode, select Insert - Field to add
a special field that consists of the data that will be encoded.
- With the barcode fields now in the FileMaker report, choose
View - Browse Mode to confirm that the data is being
pulled dynamically from the fields and properly formatted to the
barcode font. Make sure that the data changes after moving to the
next record. When using the FileMaker Barcode Font Encoder Plug-in,
strange characters may appear in the field data. This is normal
for the intended font. When using the Universal Barcode Font, a
large amount of letters will appear and this is normal as well.
- With the Barcode field selected, choose Format
- Fonts and select the appropriate barcode font. Choose
Align Center to move the barcode to the middle of the field,
and then select the 12-point font size or other size of choice.
| "We just purchased the product. I am using your fonts
with FileMaker and doing a software inventory for the Government.
It works great and I have found it very easy to set up.
Thanks again" - David Sinclair, APV4 Contractor (FPI)
|
- Choose View - Browse to verify that a barcode
displays in the FileMaker form or report. After printing, the barcode
may be accurately scanned with an
affordable barcode
scanner.
- If the FileMaker application that is being created is also going
to be distributed, the FileMaker Barcode Font Encoder Plug-in and
appropriate barcode
font must also be distributed along with the database.
The best way to generate GS1-128 barcodes is using the
IDAu_Uni_C128 function with the IDAutomation
Universal Barcode
Font. Human-readable text may be generated beneath the GS1-128 barcode
by inserting a new field and selecting the plug-in function of IDAu_Uni_C128HR.
Combining multiple fields into a single FileMaker barcode is easily
achieved when ApplyTilde is enabled with the
Universal Barcode
Font and the IDAu_Uni_C128 function.
For example, the following would encode "File" <Return> "Maker" <Tab>
"Pro":
IDAu_Uni_C128 ("File~013Maker~009Pro|1")
The barcode functions listed below are available in the FileMaker
Barcode Font Encoder Plug-in and are only valid when used with the font
listed in the "Font to Use" column. All the functions listed below are
preceded with IDAu. Functions beginning
with IDAu_Uni should only be used
with the IDAutomation
Universal Barcode Font Advantage package.
Some of the barcode functions below have multiple parameters. When
this occurs, use the '|' (pipe) as the dividing character for these
additional parameters. If the additional parameters are omitted, defaults
will be used.
|
Function Name
|
Methods and Notes
(View Method Descriptions for more
information)
|
Fonts to Use
|
| IDAu_Code128(DataToEncode) |
This is a "Code 128 Auto" function that
will automatically encode text data from ASCII 32 to ASCII 126.
Consider using the
Universal
Barcode Font with the IDAu_Uni_C128 function in the following
situations:
- When the IDAutomationC128 font is used outsize of the
USA, to avoid language and locale incompatibilities.
- When creating barcodes for GS1-128 (UCC/EAN 128) or
when encoding FNC1 or FNC2 functions.
- When encoding functions such as the return or tab.
|
IDAutomationC128 *
|
| IDAu_Code128HR(DataToEncode) |
ApplyTilde is True by default in this
function. |
Text Font |
| IDAu_Code128a(DataToEncode) |
Caution: Entering a lower-case character
will create a function. Use the
character values 64 through 95 from set A to print characters
not found on the keyboard; the scanner will recognize these
functions as from set A. |
IDAutomationC128 * |
| IDAu_Code128b(DataToEncode) |
Returns barcodes formatted to the Code
128 character set B. Formats output to the
Code 128
barcode fonts. |
IDAutomationC128 * |
| IDAu_Code128c(DataToEncode) |
This code128 function "interleaves" numbers
into pairs for high density. |
IDAutomationC128 * |
| IDAu_I2of5(DataToEncode) |
This function "interleaves" numbers into
pairs for high density without check digits and formats the
return string to the
Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode fonts. |
IDAutomationI25 *
IDAutomationHI25
* |
| IDAu_I2of5Mod10(DataToEncode) |
Performs a mod10 checksum calculation
for increased accuracy and formats the return string to the
Interleaved 2 of 5 fonts. |
IDAutomationI25 *
IDAutomationHI25 * |
|
* When using the IDAutomationC128 or IDAutomationI25 fonts
outside of the USA, consider using
the Universal
Barcode Font with the appropriate
Universal Function to avoid language
and locale incompatibilities. |
| IDAu_Code39(DataToEncode) |
Formats the output to print using
Code 3 of
9 fonts. |
IDAutomationC39
IDAutomationHC39 |
| IDAu_Code39Mod43(DataToEncode) |
Performs the mod43 checksum calculation
for increased accuracy and then formats the output to print
using Code
39 barcode fonts. The mod43 checksum is usually required
for LOGMARS and HIBC applications. |
IDAutomationC39
IDAutomationHC39 |
| IDAu_Code93(DataToEncode) |
Formats the output to print with the
2 required check digits using
Code 93
barcode fonts. |
IDAutomationC93 |
| IDAu_Codabar(DataToEncode) |
Formats the output to print using
Codabar
barcode fonts. |
IDAutomationCB |
| IDAu_Postnet(DataToEncode) |
Enter a single string of Zip, Zip + 4
or Zip + 4 + Delivery Point. The DataToEncode must be a number
and can include dashes and spaces. |
IDAutomationPOSTNET
IDAutomationPLANET |
| IDAu_MSI(DataToEncode) |
Formats output to the
MSI barcode
fonts. |
IDAutomationMSI
IDAutomationHMSI |
| IDAu_UPCa(DataToEncode) |
DataToEncode is a UPC-A number string
of 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 or 17 digits with or without a check digit,
and add-ons are supported. This formats output to the
UPC/EAN
barcode font. Entering incorrect data will create a barcode
containing only zeros. |
IDAutomationUPCEAN |
| IDAu_UPCe(DataToEncode) |
DataToEncode is a UPC-A number string
of 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 or 17 digits with or without a check digit,
add-ons are supported. The purpose of this function is to print
the UPC-E barcode from a UPC-A barcode that can be compressed.
Formats output to the
UPC/EAN
barcode font. Entering incorrect data will create a barcode
containing "00005000000". |
IDAutomationUPCEAN |
| IDAu_EAN13(DataToEncode) |
DataToEncode is a number string of 12,
13, 14, 15, 17 or 18 digits with or without a check digit, add-ons
are supported. Formats output to the
UPC/EAN
barcode font. Entering incorrect data will create a barcode
containing all zeros. |
IDAutomationUPCEAN |
| IDAu_EAN8(DataToEncode) |
DataToEncode is a number string of 7
or 8 characters (EAN-8 without the check digit). Formats output
to the
UPC/EAN barcode font. Entering incorrect data will create
a barcode containing only zeros. |
IDAutomationUPCEAN |
|
All functions listed below are preceded with
IDAu_Uni_ should be
used with the
IDAutomation
Universal Barcode Font Advantage package. |
Function Name
|
Methods and Notes
(View Method Descriptions
for more information)
|
Fonts to Use
|
| IDAu_Uni_C128(DataToEncode
| ApplyTilde) |
This is a "Code
128 Auto" function that will automatically encode any data
from ASCII 1 to ASCII 127. It will automatically switch to character
set C to encode numbers as necessary. To encode alpha-numeric
GS1-128, ~202 is entered as the FNC1 before each AI with ApplyTilde
enabled. When a Code 128 barcode begins with the FNC1, it automatically
starts in Set C as required. For example, the GS1 number of
(8100)712345(21)125678 should be entered as a formula of:
IDAu_Uni_C128 ("~2028100712345~20221125678|1")
More information about
AIs and UCC/EAN-128 barcodes. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
| IDAu_Uni_C128HR(DataToEncode | ApplyTilde) |
Formats AIs for text interpretations.
ApplyTilde is True by default in this function. |
Text Font |
| IDAu_Uni_C128A(DataToEncode) |
Formats output to set A of Code-128.
Use caution with this option because any lowercase character
creates a function. Use the letter "i" for a tab and "m" for
a return. For most purposes, it is better to use the
C128() function. |
IDAutomation_Uni
|
| IDAu_Uni_C128B(DataToEncode) |
Formats output to Code-128, character
set B. For most purposes, it is better to use the
C128() function
instead of this one. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
| IDAu_Uni_C128C(DataToEncode) |
This code128 function "interleaves" even
numbers into pairs for high density. An even number of digits
is required. For most purposes, it is better to use the
C128() function instead of this one. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
IDAu_Uni_C39
(DataToEncode | N_Dimension,
IncludeCheckDigit) |
Formats the output for Code 39 barcoding
with the Universal barcode font. A MOD-43 checksum will be calculated
if IncludeCheckDigit is true. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
| IDAu_Uni_Codabar(DataToEncode | N_Dimension,
StartChar, StopChar) |
Creates Codabar barcodes with the Universal
font. StartChar and StopChar are also required as the start
and stop characters. Valid start and stop characters are A,
B, C and D. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
| IDAu_Uni_I2of5(DataToEncode | N_Dimension
| IncludeCheckDigit) |
This function "interleaves" numbers into
pairs for high density barcodes without check digits, and formats
the return string to the Universal font. An even number of digits
is required. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if
IncludeCheckDigit
is true. |
IDAutomation_Uni
|
IDAu_Uni_MSI
(DataToEncode | N_Dimension
| IncludeCheckDigit) |
Formats output for barcoding in the MSI/Plessey
symbology. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit
is true. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
IDAu_Uni_OneCode
(DataToEncode) |
This function only works with the IDAutomationPOSTNET
font and the XS, S or M size of the Universal Font. DataToEncode
is a single string according to the Intelligent Mail section
of the
USPS Barcode FAQ. |
IDAutomation_Uni
or
IDAutomationPOSTNET
or
IDAutomationIMB |
IDAu_Uni_Planet
(DataToEncode | IncludeCheckDigit) |
This barcode type has a specific height
requirement, and thus this function only works with the XS,
S or M size of the Universal Font. XS is the normal version,
S has the bars narrow by 10% and the M font has the bars narrow
by 20%. DataToEncode is a single string of Zip, Zip + 4 or Zip
+ 4 + Delivery Point. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if
IncludeCheckDigit is true. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
IDAu_Uni_Postnet
(DataToEncode | IncludeCheckDigit) |
This barcode type has a specific height
requirement, and thus this function only works with the XS,
S or M size of the Universal Font. XS is the normal version,
S has the bars narrow by 10% and the M font has the bars narrow
by 20%. DataToEncode is a single string of Zip, Zip + 4 or Zip
+ 4 + Delivery Point. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if
IncludeCheckDigit is true. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
IDAu_Uni_UCC128
(DataToEncode) |
This symbology option automatically encodes
the FNC1 character in set C as required for GS1-128 barcodes.
All functions of ApplyTilde are enabled in this function for
calculating the required MOD 10 check digit and cannot be disabled,
for example:
IDAu_Uni_C128
("00000123455555555558~m19" )
For more information,
please visit the
UCC/EAN Barcode FAQ. |
IDAutomation_Uni |
- DataToEncode: A string value
that represents the data that is being encoded.
- N_Dimension: Determines the
width of the wide bars, which is a multiple of the X dimension. Valid
values are 2, 2.5 and 3. The default is 2. The X dimension is determined
by the font point size.
- IncludeCheckDigit: If
this value is 1, a check digit will be calculated automatically
and included in the barcode, if appropriate, for the chosen symbology.
- ApplyTilde: In Code 128 Auto
and UCC-128, if the ApplyTilde option is set to 1, the tilde will
be processed and allow the following encoding options:
- ASCII characters: The format ~ddd may be used to
specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded. For example,
if the user enters the following text in the Data field:
66~02977 it will actually encode 66GS77 where
GS is a delimiter ASCII 29 character. Other commonly
used ASCII codes are ~009 for a tab and ~013, which is a return
function. To obtain locations of other functions, please refer
to the
ASCII
chart.
- Encode GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128):
To encode alpha-numeric UCC/EAN-128, the character must
be set to Auto. Then, ASCII 202 or character Ê is entered as
the FNC1 before each AI and the required start C is included
automatically. For example, the UCC number of (8100)712345(21)12WH5678
should be entered as: ~2028100712345~2022112WH5678.
In most cases, the AI's will be properly represented in the
human readable text. If the parenthesis is not around the correct
number for the AI, enter the following extended ASCII character
as the FNC1 for the correct number of digits in the user's AI:
~212 = 2 digits
~215 = 5 digits
~213 = 3 digits
~216 = 6 digits
~214 = 4 digits
~217 = 7 digits
For example, encoding (1277)000056
would require ~2141277000056
to be entered instead. For more, refer to the UCC/EAN-128 section
of the
Code 128 Barcode FAQ.
- Mod-10 Check Digit Creation: To Create a Mod-10 check
digit for xx number of characters, add the following to the
DataToEncode: ~mnn (where nn is a 2 digit number representing
the number of characters preceding the tilde in which to base
the Mod 10 calculation). The additional MOD-10 check digit is
commonly used in UCC or EAN barcode types. For example:
IDAu_Uni_C128 ("~2020000012345555555555~m19"
)
- FNC2: When necessary, the FNC2 character may
be inserted into the DataToEncode string by using ASCII 197.
For example: ~1978012349091. IDAutomation's
SC5USB Barcode Scanner may be programmed to hold the barcode
starting with the FNC2 in memory and only transmit the data
after scanning a barcode containing the FNC1.
Supporting the FileMaker
Font Encoder Plug-In
Common FileMaker Barcode Font Problems and Solutions
Other FileMaker Barcode Products
IDAutomation has many other products to offer for barcoding in FileMaker
including:
Reviews and Listings for the FileMaker Barcode Font Encoder Tool
|
