Barcode Fields

Barcode fields allow barcodes, such as the familiar UPC code, to be read from a filled form image.

When a Barcode field is defined on a form template in FormAssist:

the Barcode Xpress engine reads the respondent form, and
recognizes the barcode according to the parameters specified.

Add Barcode Fields

To add a barcode field in a form template, select the ICR Tool button by clicking on it in the toolbar or pressing "Shift+B" (step 2 in the topic Steps to Define, Create and Modify Form Fields). The a barcode field can then be defined by selecting the corner of the field on the form image with your mouse and drag to the diagonal corner similar to any other field type.

Set Barcode Field Settings

FormAssist window with Barcode tab open and a Barcode field highlighted

The image above displays an example Barcode field highlighted on both the Tree and Image Views of the FormAssist window.

The Tree View displays the name and icon.
The Image View outlines the field area currently selected.
The Properties View displays all the Barcode Field Properties.

It is recommended to use the "Clip" method of dropout on the Dropout tab to improve barcode processing accuracy.

See the Image Enhancement and Dropout Properties topics in this section for more information on how to improve recognition processing performance.

The tabs in the Properties View in Settings are:

Tab	Description
General	This tab contains the field area coordinates which can be modified by either dragging the outlined field in the Image View or by modifying its values in the Properties View.
Dropout	Using the proper Dropout method is important because it helps theBarcode Xpress engine accurately read a barcode from part of the original form. Dropout method “Clip” is recommended for Barcode fields. See the Dropout Properties topic for more information.
ScanFix Xpress	The ScanFix Xpress settings can be used to enhance the image by: allowing the Barcode Xpress engine to locate and read the barcode. determining the respondent marked fields rather than irrelevant marks. There are many choices to choose from and they are performed in the order they are listed. See the ScanFix Xpress Properties topic within the Field section for detailed information on each property.
Barcode	These settings will determine barcode types which Barcode Xpress will look for. See Barcode Property topic for more details.