Barcode Functions
| Function | Notes |
| C128(DataToEncode, ApplyTilde, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | 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
UCC/EAN-128, ASCII 202 or character Ê is entered as the
FNC1 before each AI. When any barcode begins with the FNC1, it automatically
starts in Set C as required. For example, the UCC number of (8100)712345(21)12WH5678 should be entered as a formula of: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128 ("Ê8100712345Ê2112WH5678",6,4,true) or IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128 ("Ê" & [Table1.DataField1] & "Ê" & [Table1.DataField2],6,4,true) More information about AI's and UCC/EAN-128 is located here. If ApplyTilde is set to True, the tilde will be processed. ApplyTilde is False by default in this function. |
| C128HR(DataToEncode, ApplyTilde) | If creating Code 128 barcodes
which need the text formatted, use this function. It is generally
only used to format the text for UCC/EAN barcodes according to IDAutomation's
Code128 Barcode FAQ. For example: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128HR ("Ê" & "8100712345" & "Ê" & "2112345678",true) If ApplyTilde is set to True, the tilde will be processed. ApplyTilde is True by default in this function. |
| C128a(DataToEncode, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | 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 instead of this one. |
| C128b(DataToEncode, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | Formats output to Code-128, character set B. For most purposes, it is better to use the C128() function instead of this one. |
| C128c(DataToEncode, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | 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. |
| C39(DataToEncode, IncludeCheckDigit, N_Dimension, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | A MOD 43 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true. For example: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C39 ("123456789", 8, 3, 3, true) |
| Codabar(DataToEncode, N_Dimension, StartChar, StopChar, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | StartChar and StopChar are also required as the start and stop characters. Valid start and stop characters are A, B, C and D. |
| I2of5(DataToEncode, IncludeCheckDigit, N_Dimension, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | An even number of digits is required. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true. |
| MSI(DataToEncode, IncludeCheckDigit, N_Dimension, BarHeight, XDimensionPoints) | Formats output for bar-coding in the MSI/Plessey symbology. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true. |
| Postnet(DataToEncode, IncludeCheckDigit, XDimensionPoints) | 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. |
| DataMatrix(DataToEncode, ApplyTilde, EncodingMode, PreferredFormat, XDimensionPoints) | ApplyTilde is a Boolean value that sets the tilde functionality for Data Matrix, default is false. EncodingMode sets the mode for encoding the data, 0 = Base 256, 1 = C40, 2 = Text, 3 = ASCII, default is 0. PreferredFormat sets the preferred size of the barcode. |
| PDF417(DataToEncode, ApplyTilde, EccLevel, ColumnSpecify, RowSpecify, Truncate, ForceBinary, XDimensionPoints) | ApplyTilde is a Boolean value that set the tilde functionality for PDF417, default is false. EccLevel sets the error correction level. ColumnSpecify and RowSpecify set the number of rows and columns in the barcode, if both are specified then RowSpecify is ignored; default is automatic. Truncate is a boolean value; if set to true, the right side of the symbol is removed. ForceBinary is a boolean, when true the encoding is in binary, otherwise the symbol is encoded in Text mode. |
| UCC/EAN-128 Barcode Examples for encoding UCC/EAN-128 Barcodes: | |
| USPS EAN128 | The following formula will
create USPS_EAN128 in Code 128: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128 ("Ê" & "912312214123442441134" & "~m19", 8, 4, true Where the number of 912312214123442441134 may be replaced with a data field, for example: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128 ("Ê" & [Table1.DataField1] & "~m19", 8, 4, true) This number encoded is made up of the following: 2 digit service code + 9 digit customer ID + 8 digit sequential package ID + MOD 10 check digit. For more information, refer to the USPS portion of the Code 128 FAQ and the UCC/EAN portion of the Code128 Barcode FAQ. |
| SCC14 | The following formula will
create SCC14 in Code 128: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128 ("Ê" & "013001234567890" & "~m13", 8, 4, true) For more information, refer to the UCC/EAN portion of IDAutomation's Code128 Barcode FAQ. |
| SSCC18 | The following formula will
create SCC18 in Code 128: IDAutomation_JavaScriptBarcode_C128 ("Ê" & "0000801234999999999" & "~m17", 8, 4, true) For more information, refer to the UCC/EAN portion of IDAutomation's Code128 Barcode FAQ. |
In-depth description of certain functions:
- DataToEncode - This string value represents the data being encoded.
- BarHeight - The height of the bars
in the symbol; default = 8, which is about .3 inches or 1 CM. 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 - XDimensionPoints - The X dimension
or barcode width is determined by setting the point size. The point
size must be small, generally 3 to 5 points. The default setting is
4 points. When XDimensionPoints equals "0", only the barcode image is
returned without any HTML formatting. When this is the case, the portion
of the document where the image is placed must have a Unicode mono-spaced
font selected with the appropriate point size setting.
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 - N_Dimension - Determines the width of the wide bars, which is a multiple of the X dimension. Valid values are 2 and 3. The default is 2.
- IncludeCheckDigit - A Boolean value that determines whether a check digit should be automatically calculated and included for the DataToEncode.
- ApplyTilde - In Code 128 AUTO and
UCC128, if the ApplyTilde option is set to True, 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 entering 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 encode other functions, please refer to IDAutomation's ASCII chart.
- Encoding UCC/EAN-128: To encode
alpha-numeric UCC/EAN128, the character must be set to "AUTO" for
automatic. 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: Ê8100712345Ê2112WH5678. 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 AI:
ASCII 212 = 2 digits ASCII 215 = 5 digits
ASCII 213 = 3 digits ASCII 216 = 6 digits
ASCII 214 = 4 digits ASCII 217 = 7 digits
For example, to encode (1277)56, enter Ö127756. For more information, please refer to the UCC/EAN 128 section of IDAutomation's Code 128 FAQ - Create a Mod 10 Check digit: 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, setting the DataToEncode property to Ê4021234567890123456~m16 will cause a mod 10 check digit to be created based on all 16 characters before the tilde. The human readable text and scanned data will display as (402)12345678901234560. The final 0 is the mod 10 check digit and replaces ~m16.
- FNC2: When necessary, the FNC2 character may be inserted into the DataToEncode string by using ASCII 197. For example; Å8012349091. IDAutomation's SC5USB Scanner can be programmed to hold the barcode starting with the FNC2 in memory and only transmit it to the computer after scanning a barcode containing the FNC1.
Technical Support
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.
- When not being used in HTML applications, the barcode image may be displayed in a text box or field. In this case, the font selected for the text object should be "Courier New", "Lucida Console" or another mono-spaced unicode font at 3 to 5 points.
- Ensure the barcode can fit in the object. If the width of the barcode
is larger then the object, several white lines will appear.
- Some web browsers such as Opera may not allow very small font point sizes to be used. Therefore, the barcode image for these browsers will be displayed at the smallest allowed size, usually 8 points. Additional height and width may be needed to properly display images in this situation. This does not appear to be an issue with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Netscape browsers.
- Additional problems and solutions are provided at IDAutomation's support site and by searching resolved public forum issues. Priority phone, email and forum support is provided up to 30 days after purchase. Additional priority phone, email and forum support may be obtained if the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription is active.
Related Barcode Software Products
IDAutomation.com also provides several other barcode products for easy integration with Web Applications. A few of these products include:
- ActiveX Controls - easy to use plug-ins for Internet Explorer.
- ASP. NET Barcode Web Controls - creates bar-codes in .NET web applications.
- Hosted Barcode Services - allow dynamic creation of barcodes without installing any software.
- Java Servlets and Applets - create barcodes for the web on any operating system.
Additional products that may be of interest:
If a scanner is needed to verify barcodes, IDAutomation also provides several hand-held USB scanners.
