Barcode rule?

[Mark]

I have a job with delivery point barcode info in the database.
Problem is when I use the "postnet barcode" rule there is a big gap between the frame bars and the 5+checksum codes but not 5+4+deliverypoint+checksum codes.

The "barcode" rule using <zipcode> from the database looks good (no gap) but the post office bounced it and said it had no check digit.

What is the proper rule to use for a deliverypoint barcode with a mix of 12 and six character codes?
Thanks,

[Dan Korn]

Originally Posted by Mark

I have a job with delivery point barcode info in the database.
Problem is when I use the "postnet barcode" rule there is a big gap between the frame bars and the 5+checksum codes but not 5+4+deliverypoint+checksum codes.

I'm not sure the problem can be analyzed just from your description. You can collect up a sample job that demonstrates the problem and send it to Support.

Originally Posted by Mark

The "barcode" rule using <zipcode> from the database looks good (no gap) but the post office bounced it and said it had no check digit.

Well, the obvious question is, are you computing the check sum? The template rule gives an option to not include it, but I'm not sure that the barcode is valid without it. I'd just use a simple JavaScript rule. (See below.)

Originally Posted by Mark

What is the proper rule to use for a deliverypoint barcode with a mix of 12 and six character codes?
Thanks,

Something like this:

var barcode_data = Field("Zip") + Field("DeliveryPoint");
return '<f name="AdvPNET">' + MakePostNetBarcode(barcode_data);

[Jordanh]

I tried your code and it adds a zero to the end. Is there any way you can get ride of that zero?


var barcode_data = Field("Zip") + Field("DeliveryPoint");
return '<f name="AdvPNET">' + MakePostNetBarcode(barcode_data);

[mhilger]

Jordan,

I just replied to another post related to this which might be the solution to what you are seeing. Check out: http://forums.printable.com/showthread.php?p=1077

[Mark]

Same problem as first post. There is a big gap between the frame bars and the zip portion of the barcode with 5 codes but not 5+4 codes when using Postnet Barcode Rule. Data file has a field for the "delivery point barcode" but no "zipcode" by itself this time.
Gave up and used a mailing machine last time.

[Jordanh]

I have found a solution for this problem and have been using it for a few months now. here is the script that i use.

var barcode_data = Field("ZIP Code") + Field("Delivery Point");
postnet= '<f name="AdvPNET">' + MakePostNetBarcode(barcode_data);
BCode = Left(postnet, Len(postnet)- 2) + ")" ;
return BCode

make sure "treat returned strings as tagged text" is checked.

This rule deletes the extra zero off the end and adds a ")" to complete the barcode.
If you have any questions let me know.

[Mark]

I keep getting an error that the input string can only contain numbers.
Data field has colons at beginning and end of delivery point barcode (to make the barcode frame?) Do I have to go into the excel file and strip them out? Your rule I edited is below.

var barcode_data = Field("DeliveryPointBarcode");
postnet= '<f name="AdvPNET">' + MakePostNetBarcode(barcode_data);
BCode = Left(postnet, Len(postnet)- 2) + ")" ;
return BCode

[Jordanh]

Try this. This will get rid of the colon on each end of your delivery point as well as construct the barcode.

Var1 = Right(Field("YourField1"), Len(Field("YourField1"))-1)
Var2 = Left(Var1, Len(Var1) -1);

var barcode_data = Field("ZIP Code") + Var2;
postnet= '<f name="AdvPNET">' + MakePostNetBarcode(barcode_data);
BCode = Left(postnet, Len(postnet)- 2) + ")" ;
return BCode

Insert you delivery point field in "YourField1" obviously.
The first two lines will delete the first and last character of that field (which would be those colons if i am understanding you right)

Let me know if it works ok.

[Mark]

Got cut off for some reason:

There is not a "zip code" field in this excel file, so I get an error.
If I put "DeliveryPointBarcode" in I get the error that it can only contain numbers.

Do i need to add zipcode to the excel file?
And if so, do you know an easy way to do that?

Thanks

[Dan Korn]

Originally Posted by Mark

Got cut off for some reason:

Please feel free to edit your post instead of starting a new one.

Originally Posted by Mark

There is not a "zip code" field in this excel file, so I get an error.
If I put "DeliveryPointBarcode" in I get the error that it can only contain numbers.

Do i need to add zipcode to the excel file?
And if so, do you know an easy way to do that?

Jordanh was just sharing an example from his job with a different data field. Just change the name to your data field, and use a replace to strip the non-numeric characters:

var barcode_data = Field("DeliveryPointBarcode");
return '<f name="AdvPNET">' + MakePostNetBarcode(barcode_data.replace(/\D/g, ""));