ACCESS ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA (
) Article Code: G8
ACCESS and Barcodes ?
Problem
In many applications, such as POS or member administration, Barcodes are a great help since you can read articles with a scanner:
The execution speed increases
The number of errors decreases
You can print your own variable barcode labels
You can read your supplier's barcodes
The integration of barcodes in any ACCESS application is very easy.
Technical background
Barcodes are only a special display of either numbers and/or characters. They are not stored in tables.
If you want to print barcodes you only need a special barcode font.
When you read the barcode with a scanner the barcode is converted by the scanner into the number or the string.
The scanner should be placed between keyboard and computer so that the scanner can send the barcode information directly into the form's control.
Praktical hints
1. Printing of Barcodes:
Install a barcode font on your computer and use this font in a control of a report.
2. Reading the Barcodes:
Set the focus on the form's control (a Combo-Box is the best choice) and scan the barcode. Configure your scanner that it sends a CR or TAB to your form after reading the barcode, then the AFTERUPDATE event of the control will be triggered.
It is not necessary to install the barcode font if you only want to read barcodes.
3. Chosing a Barcode
Different barcode conventions are available, ranging from the storing of alphanumeric information to the complete documentation of transport details and special dates.
For most ACCESS application a simple barcode such as CODE39 is sufficient. You can download this font free on different Internet-sites.
Please note that special characters might be necessary ("*" of Code39) and check the documenation of your scanner.
4. Barcodes and Runtime
Barcodes can be used in both ACCESS full version as well as in the Runtime. If you install your application on a customer's computer then you need to install the font as well!
Otherwise barcodes can be read but not printed.