Knowledgebase

Problem

How do I populate barcodes with information in PDF-XChange Editor?

Resolution

The Value Calculation property of barcodes must be used in order to populate barcodes with information. Follow the steps below to view/edit the Value Calculation property of barcodes:

1. Click the Form tab, then click Select Fields, right-click the desired barcode and click Properties. The Barcode Field Properties pane will open.

2. Scroll down the pane to the Value Calculation property:

3. Use the Calculation Type dropdown menu to select either Encode Using Tab Delimited Format, Encode Using XML Format or Custom Script.

Custom Script

This option enables the use of custom JavaScript to populate barcodes.

1. Click the ellipsis icon on the right of the Calculation Script property to enter JavaScript. The Edit Action: "Run a JavaScript" dialog box will open:

2. Enter the desired JavaScript and click OK. The barcode will then update as determined by the JavaScript.

Encode Using Tab Delimited Format

This option enables the use of document form fields in order to populate barcodes, and encodes fields into the barcode as tab-delimited values. Please note that if the form is configured to output the data in individual XFDF or XDP files, then this format must be used. Additionally, this format enables the inclusion of the most data and is the best choice in cases where the form data will be copied into a database/spreadsheet.

1. Click the ellipsis icon on the right of the Fields property to determine the form fields used to populate the barcode. The Field Selection dialog box will open:

2. Select the fields that you want to use to populate the barcode and click OK. The barcode will then update as determined by the values in the form fields specified.

Encode Using XML Format

This option enables the use of document form fields in order to populate barcodes, and encodes fields into the barcode in standard XFDF format.

1. Click the ellipsis icon on the right of the Fields property to determine the form fields used to populate the barcode. The Field Selection dialog box will open:

2. Select the fields that you want to use to populate the barcode and click OK. The barcode will then update as determined by the values in the form fields specified.

Further information about creating and editing barcodes is available here.