How to Encode Control Characters like TAB or ENTER in a Barcode?

To add special characters to a barcode, please follow these steps:

1. Open the barcode creation software (like Barcode Studio) to encode placeholders for control characters, so-called “escape sequences”.
2. First, enter the barcode data.
3. To create an escape sequence, just enter a backslash followed by one letter to select the function (for example: \t for TAB or \n for ENTER).
4. To ensure correct encoding of the control sequences, please check escape sequences under “settings”.
5. The barcode changes immediately!
6. If "escape sequences" is checked, the control characters will be decoded correctly, when the barcode is scanned.
7. Finished.

Why Should I Embed Control Characters in a Barcode?

Barcodes with embedded control characters are useful to automatically confirm input or to tab into next edit field when being scanned with a keyboard wedge barcode scanner. TEC-IT's barcode software offers the possibility to encode placeholders for such control characters utilizing so called "escape sequences".

What Are "Escape Sequences"?

Escape sequences are placeholders for control characters. An escape sequence is created by a backslash followed by at least one letter to select the function. For example, backslash followed by a lower-case t stands for TAB, backslash followed by a lower-case n for ENTER.

Which Control Characters Are Supported?

Our barcode software products support a large number of control characters. You will find a complete list of supported control characters on page 17 in our Barcode Reference.

Watch the video to learn more

Summary

• Escape sequences consist of one backslash (\) followed by at least one letter to select the function.
• To encode control characters (and ensure the correct interpretation when being scanned) make sure to enable processing of “Escape Sequences”. The exact way on how to do this depends on the product you are using.