Code 128

Code 128 is one of the types of barcodes that can be added to a template; see Barcode.

The barcode can be added either using the Barcode toolbar button or through selecting Insert > Barcode on the menu; see Adding a barcode.

To change a barcode's properties, such as the scale and color, open the Barcode properties dialog: right-click the barcode (on the Design tab in the Workspace) and select the Barcode... option in the context menu.

This topic lists the properties and output options of the barcode type Code 128. For the properties of other barcode types, see Barcode type and properties.

Barcode properties

Module width

Specifies the width of the narrow bars in centimeters. Changing this value to a higher value will make the barcode bigger when Scale is set to None.

Code set

Set of characters to be used:

  • A: ASCII characters 00 to 95 (0–9, A–Z and control codes), special characters, and FNC 1–4

  • B: ASCII characters 32 to 127 (0–9, A–Z, a–z), special characters, and FNC 1–4

  • C: 00–99 (encodes each two digits with one code) and FNC 1

In Auto mode, the barcode generator will automatically select the correct encoding mode (set A, B or C) according to the input data.

If the barcode starts as one subset and then switches to another, set Code set to whatever the starting set is (not Auto). Enable the Tilde processing option (see below). At the position where the subset switches, add the following to the input data:

  • ~d199 to switch to subset C

  • ~d200 to switch to subset B

  • ~d201 to switch to subset A

For example, if a barcode in the format AA123456789 must start as subset B, and then switch to subset C after 1, set the barcode to be: AA1~d19923456789.

Scale

Defines if and how the rendered barcode is scaled in relation to the parent element:

  • None: The barcode is rendered based on the module width.

  • Fit to box: The barcode is stretched to fit the parent box in both width and height.

Tilde processing

Check this option to process tilde (~) characters in the data as special characters. (See the Java4less Barcodes Guide to learn what the tilde character can be used for.)
The tilde is expected to be followed by the 'd' character and 3 digits representing an ASCII character: ~dNNN . For example, ~d013 represents a carriage return.
Note that with this option checked, any tilde that needs to be included in the output must be escaped by adding another tilde: ~~.

Human Readable Message

When this option is checked, OL Connect shows a human readable text below or above the barcode, as defined using the Text Position, using the specified font and font size. The font size is given in points (pt).

Barcode output

Color

The Color group allows you to choose a different Barcode color (instead of black) and Background color (instead of white), by typing a hexadecimal color value (see for example w3school's color picker).

When black is a composite of CMYK or RGB values, it may incur a color click charge on some printers. Check the Output in Grayscale option to make sure that pure black is used.

Output format

Defines how the barcode is output on the page. There are two possible formats:

  • SVG: Vector format. This is usually of higher quality, but may take longer to generate.

  • PNG: Binary rasterized format. This has a slightly lower quality than SVG but is usually generated faster.