Bar Codes with Access

[darwin333]

I have an Access database with a "serial number" field and want to turn those serial number to bar codes. I know I can buy a printer that will print barcodes. Is it possible to get bar codes from access, or do I have to use the software that comes with the printer?

 

[Kavius]

I know you can get Windows fonts that can be used as barcodes. You could then print a standard document with a single field that is barcodes. Might be easier to make it look seemless.

I did a search but can't find them any more. When I originally found them I was looking for information on ISBN's.

Hope it helps. Sorry it isn't more. ---------------------------------------
Where would one begin to study Myology?

 

[Kavius]

Wait a minute....

http://www.bizfonts.com/free/

Duh...google: barcode and font

Man I feel slow today. ---------------------------------------
Where would one begin to study Myology?

 

[DonQuichote]

We use barcodes at our company. We have barcode printers that are attached to a COM port and have created our own routines for printing the barcode labels. We also print barcodes on normal printers using a special barcode font.

The barcode routines contain knowledge of the printers themselves, but they are fairly standard and I assume the printer's control characters are documented when you buy a barcode printer

Best regards

 

[Francescina]

ACCESS ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA (

http://www.unsoftwareag.com

) 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.

 

[genehunter]

You might want to check-out

http://www.waspbarcode.com.

They sell the barcodes, scanners, printers, and fonts. Their labeling software will read an access database with no problems and can even update the database (I think) if you want. I've used some of their things, and they worked pretty well (for a beginner).