FileMaker Pro is suitable for use in conjunction with various barcodes, QR code readers and scanners. You can print from FileMaker using special fonts. Some fonts may also require a plug-in to be installed, which formats data to the font and calculates required checksums. You can also create barcodes within FileMaker without barcode fonts. The latest QRCode is optimized for Win 8/OS 10.13/FileMaker 18, and works back to Win 98/OS 10.6/FileMaker 7. About QR Code A QR Code is a two-dimensional bar code created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. FileMaker, not just those who have licensed and installed a plug-in. New Version: Now Even Easier to Integrate. Most popular formats: Code39, Code128, UPC-A, EAN-13, POSTNET. Integrates with any FileMaker solution. You won't believe how easy it is! Fully cross platform, Mac and Windows. For FileMaker Pro 5 - 12. Scroll down for more formats.
- Barcode for FileMaker needs only one calculation field to create barcodes in FileMaker. The barcode calculation appears in the FileMaker calculation window on the right hand side with all the other calculations you can do. There is a version for Mac OSX or Windows PC’s.
- Barcode X For Filemaker free download - Barcode Maker, BarCodeWiz Barcode ActiveX Control, FileMaker Barcode Font Encoder Plugin, and many more programs.
By Mason Stenquist Posted on December 8th, 2016 in Free Downloads, FileMaker
Using barcodes in FileMaker is a very easy and useful way to extend your database. Whether you are selling tickets, managing assets, creating name tags, or any number of other use cases, barcodes can easily be used to provide an instant way to locate a record in your database system and much more. Barcodes can be generated and scanned for iPads, iPhones, Windows, and Macs.
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How To Generate
There are many different methods that can be used to generate barcodes in FileMaker and there are many different types of barcodes that you can create. The 2 main types are QR codes and regular barcodes like you would see on millions of products. A QR code is basically a barcode with another dimension allowing it to store more information than what a 1D barcode can store before becoming unreadable by the scanner. This is why URL's are often shared using QR codes instead of standard barcodes. Do note that QR codes cannot be scanned by USB or BlueTooth scanners, but work great with camera-based scanners like a mobile device. The 3 ways we'll be talking about are through using web services like Google's Chart API, using 3rd party plugins and products like FileMaker Barcode Creator, or using barcode fonts. Below we'll go over the pros and cons for each method.
1. Web Services
There are plenty of great web services out there like barcode-generator.org and Google's chart API for generating QR Codes. This is the method we chose to use in our demo file as it is very flexible and free. To generate a QR code using Google's API, all you have to do is create a simple URL in FileMaker and then use the Insert from URL script step to download the image to a container field. Below is how we accomplished this in our demo file.
One thing to be aware of when using this method is that the container must be on the layout and be editable when you use the Insert from URL script step. This might not be the best method to use if you have hundreds of thousands of barcodes that need to be generated, as most free web services will block you from making too many calls, and depending on internet speeds, this method could be slow.
2. FileMaker Barcode Creator
We're big fans of Geist Interactive's FileMaker Barcode Creator. It's easy to integrate with, has 19 different barcode types including QR Codes, is native FileMaker that works with Pro, Go, WebDirect, and server side scripts. To integrate with Barcode Creator you need to copy a modules script folder to your solution, and then you just need to call one script, passing the serial number as a parameter. The script returns a Base64 encoded string which can then be converted to an image using FileMakers Base64Decode function. FileMaker Barcode Creator is a paid product, but in our opinion is well worth the money, and is what we use in our solutions.
3. Barcode Fonts
Barcode fonts is another way you can create barcodes in FileMaker. This method has been around for a long time and used to be the only way to create barcodes without the use of plugins. The only reason I mention it in this article is to tell you NOT to use this method! This method has many limitations like only being able to generate and view barcodes on the desktop, with no support for FileMaker Go, or WebDirect. It also requires that all computers have the correct barcode font installed, which depending on how many users you have, can be a challenge by itself.
4. FileMaker Barcode Add-On
As of FileMaker 19.1, you now have another simple way to create barcodes with the Barcode Generator FileMaker Add-On. The Barcode Add-On provides you up to 18 different barcodes to choose from, including Code128 and Code39, and generates a barcode image from field data. Easily add the Barcode Generator Add-On in layout mode by dragging and dropping directly onto a layout. You also have the option to generate the barcode automatically by typing in the barcode text.
How To Scan
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There are 2 ways to scan a barcode/QR code using FileMaker. The easiest way is to leverage FileMaker Go's ability to integrate with the iPad or iPhone's camera and allow for easy and instant barcode scanning using the Insert From Device script step. This works great as long as you have an iOS device. If you don't have an apple device you can always buy a USB or Bluetooth laser scanner. These scanning devices are interpreted as virtual keyboards when connected, so in order to scan and capture the scanner's input, you must have the cursor in a field or Show Custom Dialog input field. They work especially well with the Show Custom Dialog script step as they will trigger the OK button after scanning.
Using a Bluetooth or USB scanner also allows for the ability to scan multiple barcodes one after another using a field with an On Exit script trigger, that goes back into the field after running so you are ready to scan again. Laser scanners are definitely quicker and preferred for scanning multiple items quickly, but they do have limitations like only being able to scan traditional barcodes (No QR codes) and they can't scan a screen. Below are a few Bluetooth scanners we have tested with FileMaker and recommend:
Conclusion
Creating and scanning barcodes in FileMaker is straightforward and makes a great extension of FileMaker's already great toolset. Contact us if you'd like to discuss barcoding and how you can add to your solution and improve your workflow.
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Mason Stenquist
Mason is an experienced and Certified FileMaker developer motivated by creating innovative solutions for his clients. His interest and talent in the realm of art combine to form the foundation for his exceptional design skills, which helped him win the FileMaker Developer Cup at DevCon.
- Compatible with FMP 19 back to 7, runs in both 32 or 64-bit modes.
- Encodes URLs, Unicode and Kanji text in a form that smart phones can scan: text, web links, calendar events, contacts, phone calls, SMS, etc.
- Provides complete control over barcode dimensions, error correction and version, or let these parameters be chosen automatically
- Barcode image can be generated at any size or orientation, or b/w inverted for transfer stencils.
- Barcodes are generated as images native to the platform, and returned by a calculation directly into a container. No special fonts are needed!
- Automatic transcoding of FileMaker character set eliminates problems with international characters
- Automatic conversion to Windows line endings eliminates hassles with Windows-centric barcode readers
- Runs natively on Mac OS X and Windows
- Implements support for vCalendar, vCard and other active formats.
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QRCode, a FileMaker plug-in, provides the ability to print QRCode bar codes from any FileMaker database. QR Codes can contain URLs, Unicode and Kanji text. When attached to a physical object and scanned by a camera phone, they provide an immediate link to a webpage, or informational text. Emerging informal standards now allow scanning entries into phonebook/calendar, and immediate dialing, SMS, and tweets.
Unlike other bar code plug-ins, QRCode does NOT require the installation of any special fonts. Barcodes are generated as images native to the platform. QRCode provides full control over the size, shape, orientation, and error correction of the bar codes. Automatic transcoding of FileMaker's character set eliminates problems scanning special characters.
The latest QRCode is optimized for Win 8/OS 10.13/FileMaker 18, and works back to Win 98/OS 10.6/FileMaker 7.
About QR Code
A QR Code is a two-dimensional bar code created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The 'QR' is derived from 'Quick Response', as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. A single QR Code barcode can carry up to 4000 characters of machine-readable data in a space no larger than a standard bar code. Unlike traditional one-dimensional bar codes which depend on real-time links to records in a separate database, the QR Code symbol contains the record itself. QR Codes are common in Japan where they are currently the most popular type of two dimensional code.
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Although initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR Codes are now used in a much broader context spanning both commercial tracking applications as well as convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users. QR Codes storing addresses, email addresses, and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, invoices or just about any object that a user might need information about. A user having a camera phone equipped with the correct reader software can scan the image of the QR Code causing the phone to show the programmed URL, insert a calendar event (e.g. their next appointment), enter a complete contact record, place a phone call, or send an SMS or tweet. This act of linking from physical world objects is known as a hardlink or physical world hyperlinks.
QR Code answers the need to print, transfer, and re-capture large amounts of data inexpensively, on the spot with one's cell phone camera. It can exchange complete data files (such as text, numerics or binary) and encode graphics, addresses, URLs, fingerprints, shipping manifests, instructions, medical information, and much more. It is used to document and label assets, inventory, parts engineering data, and safety data. It provides a powerful communications capability - without the need to access an external database. For virtually no incremental cost, you can add a QRCode symbol to the documents and labels you are already printing.
Think of QR Code as an independent database with complete freedom of movement, traveling together with a person or on an item, object, package, form, document, badge, card, or label. It does what wired networks can't: allows you to do: immediately access your data regardless of location. Furthermore, if your scanner is a camera phone, it can immediately link a physical object to its online presence.
Because QR Code is a machine-readable method of transporting data, it eliminates time-consuming and error-prone manual data entry. It functions as a paper-based computer memory that can be written once and read over and over again. As a universal machine language, it communicates with all host operating systems. QR Code encodes full ASCII, numeric, Kanji, or alphanumeric data and it uses sophisticated error correction algorithms to keep intact 100 percent of the data - even when as much as 30% of the symbol is damaged. It's self-verifying, so data errors can be detected and data integrity maintained.
Filemaker Pro Barcode
QR Code doesn't require users to learn different procedures, or invest in new hardware and software. A QR Code solution can be added with little change to current applications and it can make use of existing printers and other equipment.
QR Code is compatible with all the same printers used to print 1-D bar codes, including laser, thermal direct, thermal transfer, ink jet and others. You can print on a wide variety of materials-paper, cards, labels, plastics, metals, cloth, and others. You can even fax QR Code symbols, and post them online.
Filemaker Barcode Scanner
(Portions adapted from Wikipedia article linked in the sidebar.)
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