Unable to scan data printed with a barcode font.

This procedure assumes the font is installed and can be printed from an application (such as WordPad in Windows). If the font does not print from an application, see Font Installation Procedures or TrueType font problems in Windows.

1. The most common cause for a barcode font failing to scan is a missing or incorrect start, stop or check digit. All barcode fonts require a special start character, a stop character and most require a calculated check digit. Make sure the required format is being used to print the barcode fonts.
   Self checking fonts like Code 39 and Codabar can easily be entered from the keyboard with the start/stop characters because a check digit is not required.
   For example to encode 123945 in a Code 39 barcode font, enter *123945* in the application and select the Code 39 font for that text. Some examples for encoding Codabar and Code 39 are listed in this chart:
    

   Barcode type	Data to encode in barcode	Text required in barcode font
   Code 39	123945	*123945*
   Code 39	TEST 3OF9	*TEST=3OF9*
   Codabar	123945	A123945B

   Because the checksum calculation can be complicated, IDAutomation provides several Font Automation Tools, Source Code and Plug-Ins to calculate these characters. Review the readme file within the font distribution ZIP file to learn how the calculations are performed. A correct barcode font contains a start character, data characters, a check digit and a stop character. All must be entered in this order to create a correct barcode.
   Here are a few examples for those fonts requiring check digits:

   Barcode type	Data to encode in barcode	Text required in barcode font
   Code 128 (auto)	Code 128456	ÌCodeÂÇ,tXXÎ
   Code 128 (set B)	C128Test	ÌC128TestwÎ
   Code 128 (set C)	123456	Í,BXLÎ
   EAN-8	2345678	(2345*QRSP(
   EAN-13	102900384756	V(02J0AD*SORPQP(
   Interleaved 2 of 5	23456789	Ë8NdzÌ
   Interleaved 2 of 5 MOD 10	2345678	Ë8NdvÌ
   MSI	748030002	(7480300024)
   Postnet or Planet	72293384756	(722933847564)
   Postnet or Planet	555554444	(5555544449)
   UPC-A	10290038475	V(b02900*NSORPl(V
   UPC-E	07830000034	U(HI3D43)V

2. IDAutomation demo and sample fonts are incomplete and missing characters. Make sure all demo and sample fonts are removed before installing the fully functional versions. If the font name contains the letter "S", it is a sample or demo font.
3. Code 128 and Interleaved 2 of 5 fonts distributed from July 2003 to January 2004 sometimes appear in the font list with the "@" sign in front of them. Choose the barcode fonts without the “@” sign in the beginning of the font name because the font names with the “@” sign causes errors. For information about the font names please check here.
4. Try running IDAutomation’s Linear Java Servlet, selecting the correct symbology and entering some data. Print it out on the same printer. Does it scan? If not, the problem is with the scanner. Make sure the symbology is enabled in the scanner for the barcode being scanned; also check the scanner settings for that symbology. Check the barcode scanner manual for reference. Most barcode scanner manuals have test barcodes in them; try scanning those of the same symbology to make sure they scan.
5. Try printing the barcode font at different point sizes. Because all barcode scanners are not the same, they lack the ability to scan all types of barcodes. Some scanners have a narrow reading width and cannot read long barcodes, while others cannot read small barcodes. Review the readme file within the font distribution ZIP file for the ranges of point sizes that can be used. Generally, 12 points is a good starting point. If that does not work, use 16 or 20 points. UPC and EAN fonts should be printed at 22 points or greater.
6. If the barcode appears to be truncated, increase the height and width of the field the font is displayed in so there is extra white space before and after the resulting barcode.
7. Check the print quality and DPI of the printer. Printers that are 203 DPI or less can cause poor quality problems. For more information, please refer to printer and print quality requirements for barcode fonts and print quality requirements for printed barcodes.
8. Make sure the material the barcode is printed on has proper contrast. Normally, the barcode should be black and the background white. Using other colors will usually cause poor scanning conditions. Also, make sure the material is not too glossy or the scanner light will reflect and will not properly scan the barcode.

See also:

• Print quality requirements for printed barcodes
• Last character of TrueType font is not printing properly or is truncated in Windows
• The TrueType font is installed but is not printing properly - TrueType font problems in Windows
• Font displays symbols instead of the actual font
• Cannot print space symbol with barcode font
• MICR font specific problems
• Font not printing small barcodes properly on a printer with less than 600 DPI - Printer and print quality requirements
• Japanese or Chinese versions of Windows do not work with barcode fonts
• Fonts do not work in PDF documents or embedding utilities

TSI incorrect font scan reading