All the experts out there, please help me as an entry designer. I'm working on a proj. all by myself.

1. Does barcode work on a form in access or it has to be on a report?How do you make a barcode to work on a form (or report) and readable by any scanner? I tried to use code 39 font and free 3 of 9 and it's still not readable by scanner. What needs to be done for it to read?

2. I forgot how to make the database an executable file. Is it by saving as an .mde file format?

3. Can I print the data directly from the form or it has to be transferred to a report or another file? when I transfer the form as a subform to a page in tab control, the data does not show in print preview.

Thank you so much.

Sorry you're noy getting any replies here.

In my limited experience with bar code devices, scanning the bar code just takes the place of doing a lookup of serial numbers for you. So everything you would do with serial numbers and data entry (AFTER the initial serial number entry - you still have to do that bu hand) is automated as far as look up. Then any changes in ownership or movements have to be done manually as well.

Barcodes are just a font type for a serial number, like wing dings. So you install the bar code font on your computer, and when you type in the serial number, the font generates the bars, that's all. So the font will show up anywhere in the database like a normal font - you just have to make taller text boxes for it.

I can't help with executables.

Printing forms and subforms is problematic. I usually just use reports for printing.

HTH

mmcdonal

Hi linh,

Agree wih mmcdonal - hate to see no replys. To add my two cents, don't know 'bout the barcodes, but all there is to say about creating executables in Access is that you can't. A longer version of that short story is here:

http://p2p.wrox.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16590

Executables can only be generated by more robust development environments like Visual Studio 6 and .NET.

MDE files are really only a security feature in Access. They protect your code by compiling your code modules and removing all "human-readable" VBA from then.

HTH

Bob

Barcodes are not really used on a form. You do print barcodes on a report (to paper) so that the can be scanned later.

Scanning a barcode is a hardware function. Access really has nothing to do with it. Access only accepts the data from the PC's input devices.

A bar code reader reads a printed bar code and sends the data to the computer normally like keyboard input. The PC thinks it was typed on the keyboard. To test your bar code reader, start up notepad and then just start scanning bar codes. You should see the data displayed in the Notepad window. If this is working, then then scanner is working properly.



Boyd
"Hi Tech Coach"
Access Based Accounting/Business Solutions developer.
http://www.officeprogramming.com

Hi
I am not an experienced Access user either, but I am dealing with the same problem. I am printing my barcodes trough access. I integrated the printer program, so when I open the form I can select print barcode and then the printer program opens and you are able to print it there.
As far as I know you have to purchase Barcodes font, I haven't found them for free. Some printer Drivers have an ActiveX driver, with this driver you can have barcodes in Word and Access. That's a second possibility.

I hope you find that information helpful. If you need more information let me know!!!

Kathi