Define Bar Code dialog

Enter the number of characters (including spaces) that are produced by scanning the bar code you are defining. To determine the length, count the number of characters in the caption below the bar code. If the bar code does not include a caption or if it contains a large number of characters, you can use the Test Bar Code function to determine the bar code length (see the Test Bar Code description for more information).

The maximum number of characters for software bar code length is 999. Do not count the start and stop characters (asterisks) used in the Code 39 bar code type. The default Bar Code Length value is 10 for both hardware and software bar codes.

Bar Code Length Requirements

If you want to change any attributes of an existing bar code grid, first select the bar code (in the fields and grids area or in the grid definition area) and then click Edit Selected Grid.

NOTE: A selected software bar code grid in the grid definition area will change color from light blue to dark blue.

After you edit your bar code grid, click Replace in the fields and grids area to put your edits into effect.

If you are using an imaging scanner, use the Clip Attributes dialog to define or modify bar code image clip attributes.

• Hardware bar code - an image clip is optional. If desired, you must draw the clip region in the grid definition area. You can do this during bar code creation or you can do it later using Edit Selected Grid.

Hardware bar code image clips may be useful if bar codes include captions so that the encoded information is also human readable. If the bar code is not decoded for any reason, you can key enter data from the image clip of the caption.

• Software bar code - an image clip region is automatically defined for each software bar code.

Select Hardware Bar Code if you are using the bar code reader on the scanner. Hardware bar code reading is optionally available with most OMR and image technology scanners. Your application can make use of both hardware and software bar code if the scanner you are using supports them. The dialog section name Hardware Bar Code appears in red, Hardware Bar Code, if your configured scanner is not equipped with a bar code reader.

Hardware bar codes can be defined on the top side of the form only.

The displayed text describes the current hardware bar code status:

• No bar code selected - This appears if no bar code has been defined or if an existing bar code has not been selected.
• Bar code N selected - This appears if an existing bar code has been selected. N is the number of the bar code on the sheet. Up to six bar codes can be defined. Bar codes on the sheet are read sequentially from the leading edge of the sheet. If a sheet contains multiple bar codes, the first bar code data goes to bar code 1, the second goes to bar code 2, and so on. Bar codes must be in the vertical orientation and arranged in a column, in line with the bar code reader on the scanner.
• Editing bar code N - This appears if an existing bar code has been selected and you have pressed the Edit Selected Grid button.
• Creating bar code N - This appears if you have pressed the Add Bar Code button but have not yet Appended the grid to a field. N is the number of the bar code you are creating. Up to six bar codes can be defined. You can also abandon bar code creation by selecting a different grid, field, or tool.

Press the Add Bar Code button to add a new hardware bar code. The bar code status text changes to Creating bar code N and the Append button is enabled.  

The Add Bar Code button is not available if:

• You already defined the maximum 6 hardware bar codes.
• You are defining software bar codes.

During bar code definition, you can switch your selection from hardware to software bar code. Once defined, a hardware bar code can't be changed to a software bar code. You must delete the hardware bar code and create a software bar code.

Select Software Bar Code if you are using the ScanTools software bar code reader. Software bar code reading is only available with image technology scanners. Your application can make use of both hardware and software bar code if the scanner you are using supports them. The dialog section name Software Bar Code appears in red, Software Bar Code, if your configured scanner is not an imaging scanner.

Bar codes can be in either the horizontal or vertical orientation and can be located anywhere on the top or bottom side of the sheet. Indicate whether the bar code has a Horizontal or Vertical orientation. If you are not sure of the orientation or if either orientation might be used, you can check both.

A bar code graphic in the grid definition area provides a quick visual reference for your selection. The bars on this graphic run horizontally, vertically, or in both directions to show bar code orientation and to differentiate a software bar code from a graybox. Examples of these graphics are included in the chart below.

• Horizontal - check Horizontal to decode bar codes with a horizontal orientation.
• Vertical - check Vertical to decode bar codes with a vertical orientation.
• Check both if you are not sure of the orientation or if either orientation might be used.

Select the amount of bar code skew from horizontal or vertical that you are willing to accept. The selections are 5, 13, 21, 29, 37, and 45 degrees. The default is 5 degrees.

• Bar codes printed directly on your form are likely to have minimal skew so the 5 degree default Allowed skew will work in most cases.
• Bar codes printed on labels that are later hand applied to your form may be skewed more than the 5 degree default Allowed skew. Select Allowed skew that gives you the best results for your application.

Allowing for more skew may require additional processing time.

Check the type of bar code you expect to read. Check as many types as needed if you are not sure what type is used. You can use the Test Bar Code function to determine bar code type.

• Code 39 (Code 3 of 9)
• Code 128
• Code 25 (Interleaved 2 of 5)
• Codabar
• UPC/EAN
• PDF417

Select Grid Measurement to open the Grid Measurement dialog where you can define or view the location of the bar code clip and evaluate regions. If you select an existing bar code and Edit Selected Grid, the Modify Grid Measurement dialog appears.

Select Test Bar Code to scan a sheet and get information about the bar code you are defining. It appears in the Bar Code Read Results dialog. The Test Bar Code option does not apply to the Hardware Bar Code option, it is for use only with the Software Bar Code option.

Unit of measurement can be selected or modified. The currently defined unit of measurement appears.

• To define a unit of measurement for a new software bar code, draw the grid in the grid definition area, select the unit of measurement using the drop-down box, and then select Append in the fields and grids area.
• To change unit of measurement without displaying the Grid Measurement dialog, select a software bar code, select Edit Selected Grid, change the unit of measurement using the list, and then select Replace in the fields and grids area.

NOTE for OpScan iNSIGHT 2/4 (with Imaging) Scanner Users:

As absolute Units of Measurement (.001 in and .01 mm) is an advanced feature of ScanTools Plus software, utilizing the full capabilities of OpScan iNSIGHT 2/4 (with Imaging) scanners, you should ensure that your scanner includes the advanced features in scanner Manufacturing Level ML013 or greater.

To verify your scanner Manufacturing Level, look at the serial number label on the back of the scanner and read the “ML” number.



If the ML number is less than ML013, call Scantron Customer Support at 800-338-5544 to arrange to have your scanner enhanced to this Manufacturing Level.

For International users, contact your local sales representative.

The text Items in red are not available on current scannerappears to advise you of dialog settings that are not compatible with your configured scanner.

Bar Code Implementation

Bar Code Read Results

Clip Attributes dialog

Graybox Tool

Grid Measurement dialog