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To generate a barcode in Crystal Reports, what
you need is to create a field, calculate the barcode
string for the field, and format the field with
appropriate barcode fonts. Remember that many symbologies
require start/stop characters as well as check characters
- so you can not just format the field with the
barcode format - you must convert the input to a
valid barcode string.
There are two methods using external functions
in Crystal Reports. The most widely used is the Crystal Reports UFL (User Function Library).
Anther method is to use Morovia Formula written
in native Cyrstal Reports language. This article
explains how to use UFL in Crystal Reports, and
how to distribute UFL with your report.
Advantages of using UFL
- Very easy to use. You do not need to write
any code.
- Supported by Crystal Reports
since version 6.
We use Crystal Reports version 9 for tutorial.
If you are working on an earlier version the steps
outlined still apply. You are authorized to use
the UFL provided by Morovia for free as long as
you use in conjunction with Morovia
barcode fonts. You are also allowed to
distribute this UFL with your application with a distribution license.
The UFL component is included in every Fontware
package (demo and release) as wells in Morovia Font
Tools. To download the most recent version of
the Font Tools, visit
Morovia Font Tools page at
http://www.morovia.com/font/support/font-tool.asp.
The UFL functions are automatically available
to Crystal Reports once the component is installed
in your computer.
In the following tutorial we will start with
a blank report. In the report we created several
database fields. Now we want to add a barcode field
which encodes shipping ID. We choose Code128C as
the barcode format.
- First we switch to the design view of the
report. This can be done by choosing View |
Design or by pressing Ctrl+D.
- Now choose View | Field Explorer to have
Field Explorer appear at the right side of the
work space.
- We are now ready to add the barcode field.
Right click the Formula Fields to have the context
menu pop up. Choose New...
- Give a name to this new filed. In our case
we simply call it barcode. You can also use
any names compatible with your naming convention.
- Click on the Use Editor button. The Formula
Editor pops up. Find Morovia barcode functions
under the "Additional Functions" section. If
you can not find such an item, most likely you
installed the Font tool without closing Crystal
Report. In this case restart Crystal Report
and repeat the steps above.
- Select the appropriate barcode function
(in our case is MoroviaBarcodeCode128C ), double
click it to make it appear in the bottom panel.
Move the cursor in between the parenthesis.
Put the data field you want to encode. In our
case, we put {Sheet1_.CustomerID} because that
filed is what we want to present in barcode
form. Note that this field needs to be a text
string. You can use Crystal Reports function
ToText to convert other format into text string.
- Dismiss the Formula Editor and return to
the Field Explorer dialog.
- Drag the new filed from Field Explorer to
anywhere you want to place in the report.
- Click on this new field, and format it with
appropriate barcode font. In our case, we use
"MRV Code128CSA" and point size 12. Dismiss the
format dialog.
- Click on the Preview tab. the barcodes appear.
We have successfully build a report with barcode
in minutes! Note that this tutorial uses the
trial version of the Code128 fontware, so the
second barcode contains a "demo" image. This
limitation will go away once you purchase the
retail version.
Once you finish the report design, you can distribute
your report application with Crystal run time files,
barcode fonts and the UFL library.
License
First you must obtain enough license from Morovia
Corporation. You can either purchase single user
license for every computer you are going to install;
or purchase a Corporate license if you have a large
install base within your organization. If you want
to distribute outside your company, a distribution
license (a.k.a. developer license) must be obtained. You may review the
license
agreement here.
File List
There are three runtime files needs to be included
in the installer:
- Morovia Barcode Font Files. The
font files can be located at Fontware folder
under Morovia directory.
- Morovia Crystal UFL. This file contains
all the Morovia barcode functions and can be
found under Morovia Font Tools directory
(c:\program files\common files\Morovia\MoroviaFontTools).
Note that you must register the COM object in
order to use it. The command line for registration
is regsvr32 cruflMorovia.dll.
- Crystal Runtime. The file name is U2lcom.dll.
This file is required to work with COM UFLs.
Morovia UFL implements all the functions listed
in the Font Tools page.
To save the space we will not list them in this
page. They are very easy to use and remember. To
conform to the Crystal Reports requirements, all
the functions begin with MoroviaBarcode. For example,
the function EAN13 listed in
Font Tools page is available
as MoroviaBarcodeEAN13. All functions take one single
parameter. For details, click
here.
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Using
Barcode Fonts in Crystal Reports (I) - UFL
