Empty boxes appear in the barcode when using the Code 128 or Interleaved 2 of 5 Fonts.

These problems are experienced because all Code 128 font and Interleaved 2 of 5 fonts use extended ASCII characters that do not work the same on all operating systems, applications and language settings other than ISO Latin 1. The main problem with the Macintosh computer is that it uses the MAC Roman character set and Windows PCs uses ISO Latin 1. The problem does not seem to occur as much on Macintosh OS-X machines as it does with others.

Provided that the barcode is formatted properly to the font with IDAutomation's Font Tools, the problem is occurring if empty boxes are visible in the barcode.

EXAMPLE:

• If this problem is experienced, try using IDAutomation's Universal Barcode Font Advantage™ which supports linear barcodes as a single font on multiple operating systems, languages and locales. This package supports AIM USS Code 128, UCC-128, EAN-128, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, USPS Postnet, Planet, MSI and Codabar. If the customer wants to use the VBA macros for Access or Excel on the Macintosh, a Developer License is required for the product, then IDAutomation can provide the VBA module.
• If this problem is experienced with US Western and ISO Latin 1 regional settings, the problem is most likely one of the following:
  • The data is incorrect for the font chosen, for example, a Code 128 function was used with an Interleaved 2 of 5 font.
  • The data is not formatted for the font correctly. To solve this, compare the function logic with IDAutomation's VBA code.
  • A custom function created for IDAutomation fonts is not working properly. To solve this, compare the function logic with the VBA code.
• An alternative is to use one of the barcode components such as IDAutomation's Java Barcode Components which is compatible with any operating system including the Macintosh.

1. Use IDAutomation's Code 128 or Interleaved 2 of 5 Font with FileMaker and the FileMaker Barcode Plug-in. This plug-in prints from the upper ASCII characters from ASCII 133-145 from the MAC Roman character set (see the chart below) and works cross-platform between PC's and MAC's in this way.
2. Program the application to print extended characters from alternate character locations as shown in the chart below.

   Code_A	Code_B	Code_C	Windows ISO ASCII	Windows ISO Unicode	Macintosh Roman ASCII	Macintosh Roman Unicode	Code Value
   Space	Space	00	0194	00C2	133	00D6	00
   us	del	95	0195	00C3	134	00DC	95
   fnc 3	fnc 3	96	0196	00C4	135	00E1	96
   fnc 2	fnc2	97	0197	00C5	136	00E0	97
   Shift	Shift	98	0198	00C6	137	00E2	98
   codeC	codeC	99	0199	00C7	138	00E4	99
   codeB	fnc4	codeB	0200	00C8	139	00E3	100
   fnc4	codeA	codeA	0201	00C9	140	00E5	101
   fnc1	fnc1	fnc1	0202	00CA	141	00E7	102
   StartA	StartA	StartA	0203	00CB	142	00E9	103
   StartB	StartB	StartB	0204	00CC	143	00E8	104
   StartC	StartC	StartC	0205	00CD	144	00EA	105
   Stop	Stop	Stop	0206	00CE	145	00EB	na

Other Solutions:

• Use one of the barcode components such as IDAutomation's Java Barcode Components which are compatible with any operating system including the Macintosh.

See also

• Unable to scan data printed with a barcode font

TSI boxes in barcode

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