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Symbologies

SYMBOLOGIES

Codabar

Length: Variable
Supported Data Characters: 0123456789-$:/.+
Supported Start/Stop Characters: ABCD
Start/Stop characters must appear at the beginning and end of each symbol.

Wikipedia

Code 39

Length: Variable
Supported Characters: A-Z, 0-9, -$%./+

Wikipedia

Code 93

Length: Variable
Supported Characters: Full ASCII character set Char ( 0 ) – Char ( 127 )

Wikipedia

Special Features

When creating a barcode containing ASCII control characters (Char ( 0 ) – Char ( 31 ) and Char (127 )), the control characters can be represented in the dataToEncode parameter as their Unicode printable equivalents (Char ( 9216 ) – Char ( 9249 )), and they will be converted to the corresponding ASCII character during encoding. This is optional for most control characters, but necessary for handling the Null character Char ( 0 ), which FileMaker will not include in text strings.

Code 128

Length: Variable
Supported Characters: Full ASCII character set Char ( 0 ) – Char ( 127 ), and function codes 1-4

Wikipedia

Special Features

When creating a barcode containing ASCII control characters (Char ( 0 ) – Char ( 31 ) and Char (127 )), the control characters can be represented in the dataToEncode parameter as their Unicode printable equivalents (Char ( 9216 ) – Char ( 9249 )), and they will be converted to the corresponding ASCII character during encoding. This is optional for most control characters, but necessary for handling the Null character Char ( 0 ), which FileMaker will not include in text strings.

When the useEscapeSequences parameter is set to True, Code 128 will treat the next three characters after any backslash \ as an escape sequence. Escape sequences starting with “\FC” are interpreted as function codes. Escape sequences with three digits are interpreted as ASCII character codes.

Scanning

When using FileMaker Go to scan a Code 128 barcode containing function codes in the middle of the symbol, those function codes will be converted to the ASCII group separator character Char ( 29 ).

DataBar

DataBar barcodes encode 14-digit Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN).
Length: 14 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Special Features

14-digit GTIN data includes a check digit. If a 14-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid GTIN.

If a 12-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will calculate the correct check digit, and include it in the rendered barcode image.

Wikipedia

Scanning

Note that when FileMaker Go scans a DataBar barcode, it will add the GS1 application identifier (AI) for a GTIN, "01", to the front of the scanned data.

DataBar Expanded

Length: Variable
Supported Characters: 0-9, A-Z, a-z, !"$%'()+:;<=>?_ and \<space>

Wikipedia

Special features
DataBar Expanded can be used for encoding data other than GS1 data, such as Global Trade Item Numbers(GTIN), but it is optimized for GS1 data. DataBar Expanded includes several special compressed encoding modes for certain patterns of GS1 data:

  • GTIN (AI 01) and optionally any other data: (01)00012345678905(10)ABC123
  • GTIN (AI 01) with first digit of 9 and weight in grams (AI 3103) up to 32767: (01)90012345678908(3103)001750
  • GTIN (AI 01) with first digit of 9 and weight in pounds (AI 3202) up to 99.99: (01)90012345678908(3202)000156
  • GTIN (AI 01) with first digit of 9 and weight in pounds (AI 3203) up to 22.767: (01)90012345678908(3203)001560
  • GTIN (AI 01) with first digit of 9, weight in pounds or kilograms (AIs 310x, 320x), and optional date (AIs 11, 13, 15, 17 for production, packaging, "best before", and expiration date): (01)90012345678908(3103)012233(15)160315
  • GTIN (AI 01) with first digit of 9, price (AI 392x), and any optionally other data: (01)90012345678908(3922)795(10)ABC123GTIN (AI 01) with first digit of 9, price with ISO currency code specified (AI 393x), and optionally any other data: (01)90012345678908(3932)0401234(10)ABC123

Users only have to structure their data according to one of these patterns to use one of these special encoding modes. There isn't another parameter to set; Barcode Creator will just detect the pattern.

If Barcode Creator thinks DataBar Expanded input is formatted like GS1 data, it will encode it as such. As a result, when FileMaker Go scans such a barcode, the parentheses enclosing application identifiers will not be included in the scanned data. This is consistent with how GS1 data is handled in general. Any variable-length fields are instead set off by a group separator character (Char ( 29 )) in this case.

Scanning

If Barcode Creator thinks DataBar Expanded input is formatted like GS1 data, it will encode it as such. As a result, when FileMaker Go scans such a barcode, the parentheses enclosing application identifiers will not be included in the scanned data. This is consistent with how GS1 data is handled in general. Any variable-length fields are instead set off by a group separator character (Char ( 29 )) in this case. See the documentation for GS1-128 for more details.

GS1 Databar Expanded

This is the same as DataBar Expanded, but with strict GS1 validation. (DataBar Expanded behaves the same: it will still encode data as GS1 if the input follows GS1 formatting rules, but will also tolerate non-GS1 data, as before.)

Length: Variable, up to 48 encoded characters 
Supported Characters: 0-9, a-z, A-Z, !\”$&'()*+,-./:;<=>?_

GS1 QR Code

GS1 QR Code is a standard method of encoding certain data in a QR Code barcode, such as a product Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). Each data field is preceded by an Application Identifier (AI), which is enclosed in parentheses in the dataToEncode parameter, and may be set off by a function code in the encoded barcode, depending on what AIs are included in the symbol.

Length: Variable, up to 48 encoded characters
Supported Characters: 0-9, a-z, A-Z, !\”$&'()*+,-./:;<=>?_

Wikipedia

See  GS1-128 for special features and scanning details.

GS1-128

GS1-128 is a standard method of encoding certain data in a Code 128 barcode, such as a product Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). Each data field is preceded by an Application Identifier (AI), which is enclosed in parentheses in the dataToEncode parameter, and may be set off by a function code in the encoded barcode, depending on what AIs are included in the symbol.

Length: Variable, up to 48 encoded characters
Supported Characters: 0-9, a-z, A-Z, !\”$&'()*+,-./:;<=>?_

Wikipedia

Special Features

GS1-128 includes special support for encoding GS1 application identifiers (AIs). Wrap AIs in parentheses immediately preceding the corresponding data element. For example, GS1 data encoding a product GTIN and net weight might be:

(01)95012345678903(3103)000123

The scripting in Barcode Creator will parse out the AIs and include function codes as appropriate. The parentheses used to mark the AIs will not be included in the rendered barcode.

Including any variable-length data elements last will ensure the rendered barcode is as short as possible.

Scanning

When using FileMaker Go to scan a Code 128 barcode containing functions codes in the middle of the symbol, those function codes will be converted to the ASCII group separator character Char ( 29 ).

GS1-128 barcodes use function code 1 before an application identifier (AI), but only if the previous data element is variable-length. GS1-128 barcodes containing fixed-length elements do not necessarily include function code 1 before every application identifier, so the group separator character cannot be relied on to help parsing data elements following fixed-length elements.

EAN-2

EAN-2 is typically used as a supplement to EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes to indicate an issue number for periodical publications.

Length: 2 digits
Supported Characters: 00-99

Wikipedia

EAN-5

EAN-5 is typically used as a supplement to EAN-13 barcodes to provide a suggested retail price for a book.

Length: 5 digits
Supported Characters: 00000-99999

Wikipedia

EAN-8

EAN-8 is a shorter alternative to EAN-13 for use on smaller packaging.

Length: 8 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Wikipedia

Special Features

EAN-8 data includes a check digit.

If an 8-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid EAN-8.

If a 7-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creatorwill calculate the correct check digit, and include it in the rendered barcode image.

EAN-13

EAN-13 barcodes encode 13-digit International Article Numbers (renamed from European Article Number, but retaining the former initialism). It is a superset of the UPC-A symbology; every valid UPC-A barcode is a valid EAN-13 barcode with a leading zero added.

Length: 13 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Wikipedia

Special Features

EAN-13 data includes a check digit.

If a 13-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid EAN-13.

If a 12-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will calculate the correct check digit, and include it in the rendered barcode image.

ISBN-10

ISBN-10 barcodes encode the older 10-digit format International Standard Book Number (ISBN) as an EAN-13 symbol.

Length: 10 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9, X

Wikipedia

Special Features

ISBN-10 data includes a check digit.

Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid ISBN-10.

Scanning

When scanning ISBN-10 barcodes with FileMaker Go, select both options “EAN-13” and “ISBN-10” for the Insert from Device script step.

ISBN-10 barcodes are encoded as the longer EAN-13 (and with a different check digit). By selecting both these options, the appropriate 10-digit ISBN will be inserted, rather than the 13-digit EAN.

ISBN-13

ISBN-13 barcodes encode the newer 13-digit format International Standard Book Number (ISBN) as an EAN-13 symbol.

Length: 13 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Wikipedia

Special Features

ISBN-13 data includes a check digit.

Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid ISBN-13.

Scanning

When scanning ISBN-13 barcodes with FileMaker Go, select both options “EAN-13” and “ISBN-13” for the Insert from Device script step. Selecting only “EAN-13” will also work, but selecting only “ISBN-13” will not.

Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)

Length: Variable, even-numbered lengths only
Supported Characters: 0-9

Wikipedia

Special Features

Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) barcodes must encode an even number of digits. If the dataToEncode parameter includes an odd number of digits, a leading zero will be added to make the length even.

Scanning

When scanning Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) barcodes with FileMaker Go, select the “ITF-14” option in the Insert from Device script step; FileMaker Go is not limited to scanning symbols that are exactly 14 digits long. However, Filemaker Go will not scan ITF barcodes shorter than 6 digits.

ITF-14

ITF-14 encodes a 14-digit GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) using the Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) symbology.

Length: 14 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Wikipedia

Special Features

The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) encoded in an ITF-14 barcode includes a check digit.

Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid GTIN-14.

ITF-14 symbols are typically printed with a “bearer bar” surrounding the barcode to ensure it is easy to scan. In FileMaker, this effect is achieved through styling the container field layout object containing the final barcode image. Barcode Creator does not include a bearer bar in the rendered image. See the “Demo” tab for examples.

QR Code

Size: Variable, always square
Supported Characters: Any character encodable in UTF-8, i.e., Char ( 0 ) – Char ( 1114111 ), and function code 1. (Char ( 0 ) must be specified with the escape sequence “\000” due to FileMaker’s handling of the null character.)

Special Features

QR Code symbols have an error correction component so that the encoded data can be retrieved even if part of the symbol is damaged or otherwise unreadable. The optional errorCorrectionCapacity parameter allows you to specify how much damage the barcode should be able to suffer and still be scannable, specified as a number between 0 (for none of the barcode) and 1 (for the entire barcode). The actual error correction capacity may be rounded to fit QR Code’s capabilities. For example, if you set errorCorrectionCapacity to 1, the actual error correction capacity will be .3. The errorCorrectionCapacity defaults to .15 (15%) when left unspecified.

When the useEscapeSequences parameter is set to True (1), QR Code will treat the next three characters after any backslash \ as an escape sequence. The escape sequence “\FC1” is interpreted as function code 1. Escape sequences with three digits are interpreted as ASCII character codes, e.g., “\092” for the backslash character.

Scanning

When using FileMaker Go to scan a QR Code symbol containing function code 1 characters, those function codes will be converted to the ASCII group separator character Char ( 29 ). You can use the Position or Substitute functions to help parsing scanned data containing these characters:

Position ( $scannedData ; Char ( 29 ) ; 1 ; 1 )

Substitute ( $scannedData ; Char ( 29 ) ; ¶ )

Barcode Creator is capable of generating QR Codes containing any Unicode character up to Char ( 1114111 ) using a special extended encoding mode. Some scanners may not support this mode. If you have this problem with your scanners, you may need to limit yourself to encoding data from the ISO 8859-1 character set (up to Char ( 255 )). Barcode Creator handles setup and use of the “special extended” encoding mode for you.  Just give it the data to encode and it will do the intelligent thing.

Wikipedia

Special Features

The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) encoded in an ITF-14 barcode includes a check digit.

Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid GTIN-14.

UPC-A

UPC-A symbols encode a 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC).
Length: 12 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Special Features

UPC-A data includes a check digit.

If a 12-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, the Barcode Creator module will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid UPC-A.

If an 11-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, the Barcode Creator module will calculate the correct check digit, and include it in the rendered barcode image.

Scanning

When scanning UPC-A barcodes with FileMaker Go, select both options “EAN-13” and “UPC-A” for the Insert from Device script step.

UPC-A barcodes with a leading zero added are equivalent to EAN-13 barcodes. By selecting both these options for the Insert from Device script step, the appropriate 12-digit UPC-A will be inserted, rather than the 13-digit EAN.

UPC-E

UPC-E symbols encode a 8-digit “zero suppressed” version of a longer 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC).

Length: 8 digits
Supported Characters: 0-9

Wikipedia

Special Features

UPC-E data includes a check digit.

If an 8- or 12-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will verify the check digit, and return an error if it is incorrect, indicating that the value is not a valid UPC-E.

If a 7- or 11-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will calculate the correct check digit, and include it in the rendered barcode image.

UPC-E data is based on a 12-digit UPC value. If an 11- or 12-digit value is supplied for the dataToEncode parameter, Barcode Creator will convert it to the corresponding 8-digit UPC-E.

Scanning

Many application require converting a scanned 8-digit UPC-E to the corresponding 12-digit UPC immediately after scanning. FileMaker Go does not do this automatically when using the “UPC-E” option of the Insert from Device script step. The “Expand UPC-E ( upcE )” script is included inBarcode Creator so you can do this easily in your applications.