******************** Welcome to Barcodet ****************
Barcodet is a basic address database that has the ability to generate barcoded mailing labels. When you click the Print Labels button, Barcodet finds all marked records and prints an address label for each found record. Label formatting is for standard 1" x 2-5/6" and 1" x 2-5/8" laser labels, 30 labels to a sheet.
Barcodet shows the number of records currently being browsed (number of records found). After a find, to return to browsing all records, click anywhere on the "No. Records Found" text
Barcodet is a commercial program, not a demo. It is NOT in the public domain. I retain all copyrights. However, since Barcodet has been designed to serve as a starting point for developing your own custom database, you will find that you have full access to the program. Please note, however, that any modifications or adaptations you make to Barcodet are considered “derivative works” under copyright law.
LSI Publications grants you permission to modify or adapt Barcodet in any way you like, but FOR YOUR OWN USE ONLY.
You may also distribute Barcodet freely in it’s present form so long as you keep all the files together and include this text with them. But you may not charge for Barcodet, and you may not include it in any shareware, freeware, commercialware, or other kinds of software collections that are sold for profit without first obtaining my permission.
For Barcodet to work properly, you must keep all files together in the same folder and not change any of their names.
This package includes a special USPS-approved PowerBar™ PostNet barcode font. This must be installed in your system to print barcodes on mailing labels.
Now, here are a few key insights to Barcodet:
Setting up the Zip Code File
Barcodet has the ability to look up city and state information automatically. This speeds data entry while at the same time eliminates typing errors. Simply enter a zip code into the zip code field and tab to the next field, or press the enter key. Barcodet looks up the required data.
The city, state, and zip code data ships in a text file named ZIPS_USA.TXT. The lookup database file that normally holds the data (ZIPS_USA) is empty. Before you use Barcodet you need to import the data from ZIPS_USA.TXT into the ZIPS_USA file.
For your convenience the importing process has been automated. Just open Barcodet and choose "Import Zip Codes" from the Scripts menu. You will be presented with an import dialog. Check to see that the information on the left properly matches the field names on the right.
Drag the field names up or down within the list on the right to align them with the information on the left. Arrows indicate that the incoming data on the left will be placed into the matching fields on the right. If an arrow is missing, click in the space between the data and the field name. This re-displays the arrow to "turn on" importing of that data. When you have finished previewing the information, click OK. Barcodet imports the zip code data and returns you to the main window.
Be prepared to wait while Barcodet imports the data. The ZIPS_USA.TXT file contains over 49,000 zip codes with complete city and state information. Depending on the speed of your computer, importing can take from a few minutes to a half-hour or more.
To open the zip code file directly, click the lightening bolt. In the zip code file, clicking the Find button allows you to search for a zip code corresponding to a particular city. Type the name (or the first few letters of the name) of the city and press the Enter key. Barcodet finds and displays all cities that match your request. Click the Barcodet version information in the header to return to the address book.
New zip codes are continually being created by the U.S. Postal Service. To add a new zip code to Barcodet, open the zip code file and click the "Zip" column heading. This invisible button creates a new, empty record, ready for you to enter data. To update an existing zip code, click within the appropriate fields and start typing.
Using Text Calculations
Barcodet uses a text calculation that produces a complete mailing address without gaps or unsightly spaces, even when there is no second address line entry. This calculation eliminates the need to use sliding fields. The AddressCalc calculation is:
This calculation tells Barcodet to print the full name on the first line of the address label (the FullName field is a calculation field that combines the first and last names), and also to print the contents of the Address1 field on the second line of the label. Then, if the Address2 field is empty, skip it and print the City followed by a space, the State followed by a space, and the Postal Code on the third line. But, if the Address2 field is not empty, print it on the third line, and the City, State, and Postal Code on the fourth line. The Trim functions in the calculation remove any extra trailing spaces that sometime get typed accidentally during data entry.
Using PostNet Bar Codes
Adding PostNet barcodes to your mailings ensures more reliable and faster mail delivery. It may also yield substantial savings in postage. Barcodet includes PowerBar, a USPS approved PostNet barcode font. Barcodet’s calculation fields ensure reliable barcode generation for labels:
PostalCode is a text field for entering zip codes (this must be a text field in order to display the correct value when the zip code contains leading zeros).
PostalCodeTest is a calculation field that reads the first character of the zip code.
PostalCodeText is a calculation field that uses the number returned by PostalCodeTest to do a validity check, and it produces a “99999” flag if it encounters an invalid zip code. Invalid zip codes, such as Canadian and other foreign postal codes, get screened out so you don't print erroneous barcodes.
The PostalCodeText calculation also verifies that the zip code is a properly formatted 5-digit, 9-digit (zip + 4), or 11-digit DPBC (Delivery Point Barcode). This check for proper zip code length looks at all characters, including the hyphen. Converting the text to a number in the calculation removes the hyphen. But, since this also removes any leading zeros, the calculation puts them back if they were there to begin with.
PostalCodeTotal is a calculation field that sums the individual digits of the zip code for use by the PostalCodeCheckDigit field in computing a check sum or correction digit. This check digit is appended to the postal code.
PostalBarsCalc is a calculation field where the final barcode is assembled. The "\" in the calculation represents the key you press to get a vertical frame bar using LSI’s PostNet barcoding font. In all cases vertical frame bars (tall bars) must bracket the zip barcodes.
Adjusting Labels
While Barcodet assigns barcodes automatically, you should do some test prints before doing any mailings. Every printer is different. Even individual printers of the same make and model often exhibit subtle differences of alignment and useable print area (the area within the non-printing margins). This is due to mechanical differences in each printer’s paper feed mechanism as well as the actual design of the printer itself.
A clear USPS plastic template is available free from the U.S. Post Office so you can verify the proper size, placement, and spacing of the generated barcodes. You can also have the Post Office check your barcodes using their optical scanners.
To test for print alignment without wasting labels, first print to a plain sheet of paper. Then hold the blank sheet of labels with the printed sheet behind it up to a bright light. Align the edges of the two sheets. You'll be able to see at a glance if any adjustments are necessary. You can easily adjust for any label “creep” or misalignment during printing by adjusting the size and postioning of the labels. The layouts in Barcodet are completely unlocked and no password is required for access.
One final note. While 9-digit barcodes fit nicely within the boundaries of a 1 x 2-5/8-inch label, you’ll need a larger label to print 11-digit DPBC barcodes. For that you'll also need to create the new label layout.
