How to Generate an EAN / GS1 DataMatrix?

How to Generate an EAN / GS1 DataMatrix?

• Adjust Data Matrix as symbology. In newer TBarCode versions you can also select GS1 Data Matrix as separate bar code type.
• Set the Data Matrix format parameter to EAN ( enumeration eDMPr_UCCEAN). This inserts an FNC1 on the first position in the barcode and marks the barcode as GS1/EAN type.
• Enable Escape Sequences
• Use the sequence \F to encode an FNC1 separator character between variable length AIs.

To add the functional character FNC1 to your barcode data follow these steps:

1. Enter the sequence \F to your bar code data where you need the FNC1.
2. Make sure Escape Sequences are enabled in the barcode settings.
3. FNC1 will be insert and the Application Identifier is recognized automatically in the HRT.

What's FNC1?

FNC1 is used as separator character for variable length data fields in the GS1 Application Identifier standard. It can be encoded with \F. Sample: The data field for the batch / lot number varies in length (up to 20 characters) and needs a termination (FNC1).

Please consider:

• To encode FNC1 Escape-Sequences must be enabled.
• Don't insert FNC1 after the last data field.
• Insert FNC1 even if the maximum field length is used.

Example 1: FNC1 in TBarCode

In this example we generate a GS1-128 barcode with 2 Application Identifier. The batch or lot number (AI =10, variable length so it needs FNC1) and the best before date (AI=15).

' set the barcode type = GS1-128 (EAN/UCC 128)
TBarCode11.BarCode = eBC_GS1_128

' enable Translate Escape Sequences
TBarCode11.EscapeSequences = True

' set the data to be encoded
TBarCode11.Text = "10222333\F15100701"

Example 2: FNC1 in Barcode Studio

To add the functional character FNC1 to your barcode data follow these steps:

• Enter the barcode data „10222333\F15100701“ .
• Beside the barcode data check Escape Sequences (V17+).
• FNC1 will be insert and the Application Identifier (AI=15) is recognized automatically in the HRT.
• In Barcode Studio 11.5+ you can use the new Assistant for GS1 Application Identifiers.

vCard is a special file format, which can be used to store personal data in a bar code (e.g. into QR Code®). Note that vCard is not a bar code type, it denotes only the data structure. A detailed description of the vCard format can be found on Wikipedia - vCard Specification.

Just bring your data into the given format and you'll be able to read the barcode with your mobile phone and recognize the data as contact information.

Create vCard Barcodes with Barcode Studio

In our vCard Video Tutorial we show you how to create vCard bar codes the easy way.

Special Characters (Umlauts)

For special characters you need to set the code page to UTF-8 and use vCard format 3.0 (vCard 2.1 also supports special characters, but not all apps evaluate this older format correctly).

Here is a sample vCard string:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:Mustermann;Erika;;Dr.;
FN:Dr. Erika Mustermann
ORG:Wikimedia
ROLE:Kommunikation
TITLE:Redaktion  & Gestaltung
PHOTO;JPEG:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erika_Mustermann_2010.jpg
TEL;WORK;VOICE:(0221) 9999123
TEL;HOME;VOICE:(0221) 1234567
ADR;HOME:;;Heidestrasse 17;Koeln;;51147;Deutschland
EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:erika@mustermann.de
REV:20140301T221110Z
END:VCARD