Code 128 Barcode Fonts encode numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase text as well as functions such as returns and tabs. All Code 128 barcode fonts require a start character, checksum character, and a stop character to create readable barcodes. Due to the required calculation of a checksum, implementation of Code 128 as a barcode font may be difficult without IDAutomation'sFont Encoder Tools.
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Three different start characters are used in Code 128 barcodes to tell the barcode reader, which character set is being used. The table below illustrates the three character sets in columns with the location of the characters. In the columns A, B and C, is the list of characters or functions that the barcode scanner will read for the associated symbol. The columns ASCII, Char and Unicode are unique to IDAutomation's Code 128 Barcode Fonts. These columns designate the location in either ASCII or Unicode where the barcode symbol for the character resides in the font. The Char column lists the character that resides at the ASCII location, which can be used to print the corresponding symbol. The character set provides easy methods ofencoding functions in barcodes such as returns and tabs.
* It is necessary to print the Code 128 barcode space character from ASCII 194 instead of ASCII 32 because Windows cannot print a symbol instead of a space character from Visual Basic and most other development environments. Mac systems should print the Code128 barcode font from Unicode locations if possible because the extended characters map to different character than what is displayed on the "Char" column in Mac Roman encoding.
* If the system regional setting is not set to "English" or the 1252 Latin-1 code page, the Code 128 fonts support the following additional code pages in Windows: 1250 European, 1251 Cyrillic, 1253 Greek, 1254 Turkish, 1255 Hebrew and 1256 Arabic. If compatibility is necessary with any operating system, code page and locale, IDAutomation offers the Universal Barcode Font Package which creates Code 128 and many other barcode types from a single font.
IDAutomation provides font encoders and source code samples that are free to use with IDAutomation fonts, which will automatically format the start, stop and check characters to the barcode fonts. Therefore, manual check digit calculations are usually not necessary.
To print extended ASCII characters from a keyboard that does not have the keys defined, use the ALT+ key combination where xxxx equals the character's ASCII location in 4 digits. For example, to type ASCII character 104 into Microsoft Word, select the font in Word, press the ALT key and while holding it down type 0104 on the keypad of the keyboard. Four digits must be entered with the keypad only.
It is possible to switch between character sets in a single Code 128 barcode. Although character set B can encode text and numbers, it may be necessary to switch to set A to encode a function such as a tab or carriage return.
This type of switching between character sets is also compatible with thefree font encoder tools. For example, specify the data bizÉm (É is the switch to set A and m is the function according to the chart) as the input for the Code 128 B function, the data ÌbizÉmDÎ would be returned, which would perform the switch to set A and the function of a return when printed with IDAutomation's font and scanned by a barcode scanner.
The FNC1 in the GS1-128 barcode is treated as any other character. This example demonstrates how to calculate (00)1234(15)12 which would be encoded as Ê001234Ê1512 in IDAutomation's font encoders. More information about creating GS1-128, UCC-128 and EAN-128 barcodes is provided in theGS1-128 Barcode FAQ and Tutorial.
The X dimension (X is the width of the narrow bar) is listed below for various point sizes in millimeters and mils. 1 mil is equal to 1/1000 of an inch. IDAutomation's Code 128 barcode fonts have been specially designed to be able to produce dependable barcodes when printed at large and small point sizes. The Code 128 font may be printed as small as 4 points if the scanner is capable reading it. The Code 128 fonts are reliably read with theIDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner at point sizes of 6 to 48 points.
To print at a different height, find the font that has the height closest to what is needed and use the following formula to find the point size that is needed:12 * (height you want) / (height at 12 points) = (point size converted to integer)For example, if using IDAutomationC128M and the height is to be .75", it should be printed at 18 points:12 * .75 / .5 = 18
** The human-readable versions also work with IDAutomation's font encoder tools. Nevertheless, they are not usually used because the Code 128 symbology MOD103 check digit is commonly displayed in the result. Human readable versions are often used for testing purposes or when it is not a problem to have the symbology check digit displayed. To print the human-readable data without the check digit, use the fonts beginning in IDAutomationC128 and print the data encoded as text below or above the barcode. The XXS size is not available in the human readable versions because of size limitations.
The Code 128c barcode specification is used in IDAutomation Barcode Fonts, Components and Applications to create a Code 128 Barcode in character set C, which includes pairs of numbers, as well as, the GS1 FNC-1 function.
Code 128 was developed by Computer Identics in 1981 and has become very popular over the years. A Code 128 barcode symbol can encode letters, digits and control characters (TAB, ENTER etc.) which makes it very versatile and suitable for many applications. Today, Code 128 is one of the most widely used barcode types, for example for warehouse management, in the transport industry (e.g. by UPS or DHL) and in retail.
The code set to use is indicated to the scanner by the start symbol or start character. Also available are various mode switching or shift characters to switch from one set to another within a barcode symbol.Usually the sub type selection and switching within a symbol is handled by the barcode software that creates the code.
For reference we are including the bar patterns of the three start- and the single stop-character here. When using a Code 128 barcode font in Excel or similar applications, the start and stop characters will be mapped to certain character positions; however, the mapping is not standardized and will vary from font to font.
Code 128 Auto refers to the automatic selection of the 128 subtype depending on the encoded data. This is performed by the respective barcode software to minimize the size of the code. Code 128 Auto is not a separate version or subset of the code.
The barcode software that generates the code will usually calculate the check digit automatically. The check digit can be any character from the code set, including non-printable characters like TAB or EOT. It is therefore not common to append the check character to the readable text under the code, likewise it is usually not transmitted by the scanner with the encoded data (check your scanner's manual for settings regarding Code 128).
In principle, Code 128 can be created without a check digit. However, all recent barcode scanners or scanner apps will expect a symbol to carry a check digit. This has implications when using a Code 128 barcode font, for example in Excel or Google Sheets, see below.
When scanning this code, the barcode scanner will put out "ABC", followed by the , then "DEF". This can be very useful: Consider a data entrymask with two text fields. The can be used to move the input focus from one field to the next. The first part of the code ("ABC") would go into the first field, the second part ("DEF") would go into the second field.
Another popular choice to encode alphanumeric characters is Code 39. The biggest advantages of Code 39 is that it can be usedwithout a check digit. On the negative side, the barcode will only natively encode capital characters ("ABC"); smallcaps ("abc") can be encoded with Code 39 Extended but this code can get very large, as the following example illustrates (Code 128 top, Code 39 bottom):
Retail barcodes (EAN, UPC, ISBN) are used for new (i.e. unused) products and are the standard way of labelling products for which you are either a reseller, the manufacturer or brand owner and that are shipped via Amazon fulfillment. Those barcodes are called "Manufacturer barcodes" in Amazon speak.
Amazon says: "When more than one seller has inventory with the same manufacturer barcode, Amazon may fulfill orders with the inventory that is closest to the customer, for faster delivery." This is called commingling. Commingling has implications when items are returned, if there is a warranty claim and with regard to VAT (in Europe) or sales tax (in the US).
FBA products without an EAN / UPC / ISBN code or items that are used or perishable are labelled with an "Amazon barcode". This is a unique Code 128 barcode that encodes either the product's ASIN or its FNSKU (for Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit). The FNSKUs link a product to a seller and are preferrable if one wants to avoid commingling. FNSKUs are automatically assigned once a product is listed by a seller; the respective barcode labels can be printed directly from the seller's dashboard or downloaded as PDF for later printing.
When using an FNSKU label with a product that already has an manufacturer barcode (EAN etc.), this barcode must be covered or removed to avoid mixups in the receiving department; the usual practice is to simply stick the FNSKU label over the EAN.
Code 128 is a good choice for embedding barcodes in your spreadsheet. Applications include catalogs with article numbers, serial numbers or GS1 data points like GTIN or best-before dates. The easiest and most straight forward way of creating Code 128 barcodes in Excel or Google Sheets is with a Code 128 barcode font. In order to support the different subtypes of Code 128 and the mandatory check digit, such a barcode font can only be used in conjunction with an add-in, for example the Softmatic barcode add-in for Excel. 2ff7e9595c
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