Paperforms barcodes

[Former Community Member]

So, pretty simple. Im trying to take an existing form and put a paperforms barcode on it that collects data from one field (the form was created in LC). It seems pretty straight forward only the barcode errors telling me that the script collection doesnt exist and to create a collection. I created an object collection referencing paperforms barcodes. However the paperform barcode shows as greyed (unsupported) in the collection list. Either I need an upgrade or Im doing it wrong. Any tips would be very helpful

Thanks

Dave

[Former Community Member]

Dave,

I think it is a problem with the order in which you create and define the collection.

I recommend using a custom encoding for a PaperFormsBarcode to optimize the data capacity. The attached form contains two barcodes. The upper barcode uses a collection and the lower barcode is a custom encoding. When scanned and decoded they both produce the same pipe-delimited content, except the custom encoding is upper-case.

Steve Walker|345 Park Avenue|San Jose|CA|95110|

STEVE WALKER|345 PARK AVENUE|SAN JOSE|CA|95110|

The calculation script on the barcode created with a collection contains 317 lines of code. The calculation script on the barcode created with a custom script contains 36 lines of code. So there is a potential maintenance issue as well.

Most important is the use of a single case in a PaperFormsBarcode. Case is the biggest single factor impacting barcode data capacity in a PDF417 barcode and the primary reason not to encode XML, if data capacity is the primary objective. The encoder has to include case switching characters when mixed case is encountered.

Steve

[Former Community Member]

Thanks for the example. What I am doing is pretty simplistic. The forms we use have PDF417 barcodes on them indicating a document type. We have a system that scans the forms and a user enters a 7 digit employee number. We are developing a hot folder system that will read all barcodes on an electronic form and if I can capture the employee id on the form with a PaperFormsBarcode it will fully automate the process.

So, for the order I would create the collection first then attach the barcode?

Thanks again.

Dave

[Former Community Member]

After dropping a PaperFormsBarcode on the form the default properties are....

Click the drop-down Collection and select <<New/Manage Collection...>>.

Click New and enter the collection name.

Click Modify.

Select the specific field you want to include in the barcode collection. In my case I selected poNum.

Click OK and you should be done.

Based upon the default barcode properties and my barcode collection my barcode encodes the barcode label and the poNum.

Label poNum

9f44b1d2-b861-4270-8aea-5a5248bfdf00 0921084334

Steve

[Former Community Member]

Steve,

Almost there. I can now get the field to map just fine. Problem is, the barcode goes blank (turns into a big gray square) when I enter data into the mapped field on the completed form. What did I miss?

Thanks

Dave

[Former Community Member · Accepted solution]

A grey PaperFormBarcode object indicates one of three issues:

1) the client opening the barcoded form is a version of Reader/Acrobat before 7.0.5

2) the data capacity of the barcode has been exceeded

3) the form has been opened in Reader and the barcoded form has not been Reader-extended for barcoded forms.

Steve

[Former Community Member]

Im using Reader 9. The barcode data is only about 9 characters and the red x indicating too much data for the barcode was not evident in the design. How do you extend the for the reader? I believe the sample you sent me was showing a gray block as well.

Thanks

Dave

[Former Community Member]

You Reader-extend barcoded forms using LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES. Alternatively you file the barcoded form using Acrobat.

Steve

[Former Community Member]

So for clarification. My company would need to purchase LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES to distribute forms that could be filled out in the free reader,  or anyone filling out the form would need a full copy of Acrobat 9 or something like that?

Thanks

Dave

[Former Community Member]

Correct. To capture data in a barcode using the PaperFormsBarcode requires either

1) users to fill barcoded forms in Acrobat, or

2) the barcoded form to be Reader-extended using LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES/ES2 for users who have Adobe Reader

Steve