Code 39 barcode in Report Writer 1

[Buzz1off]

A previous post (April, 2010) indicated you could create a calculated field with asterik (*) in front of and behind the dynamics field so the scanner would recognize the barcode font. The instructions were very simple and clear. I tried this, with a variety of tests and I keep getting an error when I try to print the report. The only way to eliminate the error is to delete the new calculated field. We are using MSDynamics 10, and we need to print a scannable barcode on the packing lists for our customers. Has anyone tried the suggestion and got it to work?

 

[Buzz1off]

I should include how the Calcualted Expression is displayed:

# "*" + popPOLineRollupTemp.Item Number + "*"

The # represents CAT (concatenate), of course. I tried with and without the + between the constant and the field, and it doesn't make any difference. The original tip was written by VicRosenberg on Apr 8, 2010 for smcpartlin. It looked correct; however, I cannot make it work!

 

[LyleU]

What error message are you getting when you run the report?



Lyle
----
"For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert." - Arthur C. Clarke.

 

[Buzz1off]

Sorry, I though I mentioned this. The error message is "Error in Equation" (equation name). Unfortunately, I am not told what the error is.

 

[DavidMizzou]

# "*" + popPOLineRollupTemp.Item Number + "*"
I believe you are concatinating a number with a string. Or it could be the pluses +

Try this...
"*" # LNG_STR(popPOLineRollupTemp.Item Number) # "*"

 

[Buzz1off]

Thanks, David... we are getting closer. I had to remove the LNG_STR because the field is already a string field. I no longer get an error when trying to print the report; however, we were not able to scan the printed barcode. To make sure the calculated result is correct, I changed the font back to the default generic Helvetica and printed the report. I get an asterisk at the beginning of the field; but, not at the end.

Example for part number ABC79000654, it now prints as *ABC79000654. In order for the Code 39 barcode font to work, there needs to ba a start and stop character; i.e., the asterisk (*). In other words, the number should print as *ABC79000654*, not *ABC79000654. So, although I am getting a correct start character (*), I am not getting the stop character (*) at the end of the string field.

We are about hald way there. Any suggestions?

 

[DavidMizzou]

You might have to trim the string field. Try Strip in the System-defined Functions

 

[Buzz1off]

Thank you, David. Adding STRIP worked. We are now able to scan the field on the report.

 

[Buzz1off]

Thank you, David. Adding STRIP worked. We are now able to scan the field on the report.

 

[DavidMizzou]

Excellent. Glad I could help!

I have been wrestling with my own Report Writer issue and those areas are fresh in my mind.