Common Properties for Barcodes

The following properties and commands are displayed when a barcode field is selected in a label template. Properties especially specific to a barcode field are displayed on the Home tab and in the Properties pane when a barcode is selected in a label template.

Barcode fields in a label template all share the following properties. These properties relate to the position on the label, the source of the data for the barcode, the symbology used, and the formatting of the barcode. In addition to these common properties, a barcode may also have properties specific to the symbology selected.

Note: For GS1-128 and GS1-128 Composite barcodes, the first two digits in the data provided are assumed to be the application identifier, regardless of whether they are enclosed in parentheses.

Note: Composite barcodes have a 2D portion followed by a linear portion. In the barcode data, the 2D portion appears first and is followed by a composite delimiter (|) and then the linear portion.

Note: A Name, Data Ref, or Input Data Ref can include letters and numbers. Additionally, the following characters are permitted but cannot begin the name: hyphens, underscores, and periods.

Tip: Properties for positioning a barcode relative to the envelope of that field are listed in the Home tab, while those for positioning a barcode relative to the label are listed in the Arrange tab. Properties specific to a barcode symbology are displayed in the Barcode section of the Home tab. Additional properties are displayed in the Properties pane.

Properties

Property	Description	Options
Name	The identifier of the barcode in the label template, form, or reusable object.	Text
Data Ref	Data Reference. The data source used to populate the barcode with a value. Tip: By default, Data Ref fields are case sensitive. If the label template is intended for use with an SAP BC-XOM integration or an SAP RFC integration, use only uppercase text in the Data Ref field.	The name of a data source.
Default Value	Default value with which to populate the barcode. If the Data Ref returns a null value or does not receive data, this value is used as the data for the barcode.	Text
2D Max Chars	The maximum number of characters that can appear in the 2D portion of a composite barcode. Note: This property is available only in composite barcodes. For EAN-8 Composite, EAN-13 Composite, GS1 DataBar Composite, UPC-A Composite, and UPC-E Composite, the maximum value that can be used for this field is 150.	Increments of 1.
Linear Max Chars	The maximum number of characters that can appear in the linear portion of a composite barcode. Note: This property is available only in composite barcodes.	Increments of 1.
Max Chars	The maximum number of characters that can appear in the barcode. For a composite barcode, this is the total of 2D Max Chars and the Linear Max Chars. If a barcode includes a check digit or an extension, those characters are not counted toward this value. In some types of barcodes, this value is affected by another property. DataMatrix: Limited by Symbol Size. MicroPDF417: Limited by Size. ITF-14: Affected by Check Digit. EAN and UPC: Affected by Extension. GS1 DataBar: Affected by GS1 DataBar Type.	Increments of 1.
Symbology	The type of barcode.
Human Readable	For a symbology that includes it, the human readable text equivalent of the barcode data.	Free Floating None
Send Field As	Whether to print the barcode as an image or to use the device's native ability to encode the barcode. This option only applies if you are using a Loftware device. For more information, see Using a Loftware NiceLabel Driver. Note that imaged symbologies may appear slightly different from native symbologies when printed. Tip: The Send Field As setting here overrides the option for the relevant symbology on the Barcode Imaging tab for both LSOs and device options.	Device Specific Option: The barcode prints natively unless it is determined by the driver that it needs to image the barcode. Image: The barcode prints as an image. This option removes any potential device variation when natively encoding the barcode data. It also overrides the option for the relevant symbology on the Barcode Imaging tab for both Label Specific Options (LSOs) Device settings that can be sent to a printer or other device when a specific label template is used to print, overriding options configured for the device in Device Management or in the operating system. LSOs can be configured in Label Design. and device options. Native: The barcode prints natively if supported by the device.
Lock Field	If selected, no changes can be made to the properties of the field, and the field cannot be moved or deleted. The order of the field relative to other fields in the label template can be changed regardless of whether the field is locked. Note: This feature can be used to prevent accidental changes to fields. It does not prevent other Designers from unlocking a field.
Printing Field	Whether the barcode appears on the printed label.

Home

Properties specific to a barcode symbology are displayed in the Barcode section. For more information, see Barcode Properties and Symbologies.

Clipboard

Icon	Command	Description
	Paste	Apply cut or copied fields and areas to the workspace.
	Cut	Remove selected fields and areas, and place them in the system clipboard.
	Copy	Put a duplicate of selected fields and areas into the system clipboard.

Tools

Icon	Command	Description
	Select All	Select all fields and areas in the current view (Label View or Form View, if in a label template) so that you can cut, copy, paste, or delete them.
	Select None	Deselect all fields in the current view.
	Delete	Remove the selected fields or areas from the label template.

Barcode

Command	Description
Padding	Select a padding option of None, Leading Zeros, Leading Spaces, Trailing Spaces, or Centered with Spaces.

Envelope Alignment

Property	Description	Values
Horizontal Alignment	Whether the barcode, image, or variable layer area is left aligned, horizontally centered, or right aligned within or relative to the envelope.	: Align to left edge of envelope : Align to horizontal center of envelope : Align to right edge of envelope
Vertical Alignment	Whether the barcode, image, or variable layer area is aligned to the top edge, vertical center, or bottom edge of the envelope.	: Align to top edge of envelope : Align to vertical center of envelope : Align to bottom edge of envelope

Property

Description

Values

Horizontal Alignment

Whether the barcode, image, or variable layer area is left aligned, horizontally centered, or right aligned within or relative to the envelope.

Left : Align to left edge of envelope

Center : Align to horizontal center of envelope

Right : Align to right edge of envelope

Vertical Alignment

Whether the barcode, image, or variable layer area is aligned to the top edge, vertical center, or bottom edge of the envelope.

Top : Align to top edge of envelope

Center : Align to vertical center of envelope

Bottom : Align to bottom edge of envelope

Insert

You can add the following fields to a label template or other object by dragging from the ribbon to the canvas.

Insert Field Tools

Icon	Tool	Description
	Barcode	You can add barcodes to a label template or various other objects. A list of the supported barcode symbologies is displayed in Loftware Enterprise SP. For more information about barcode fields, see Using Barcodes.
	Image	Opens a window that allows you to select an image from your computer or network and place it in a label template. For information about images, see Using Images.
	Reusable Object	You can add reusable objects An item that can contain components of a label and a form so that you can incorporate them into labels and forms efficiently and consistently. to a label template or various other objects. For more information about reusable objects, see Using Reusable Objects.
	Fixed Text	Text that does not change for each printed label or each time a form is displayed. For information about text fields, see Using Text.
	Variable Text	Text that may change for each printed label or each time a form is displayed.
	Text Box	Text that may change for each printed label.
	Oval	Add a round shape. For information about shape fields, see Using Shapes.
	Rectangle	Add a box.
	Line	Add a straight line.

View

Views

Icon	Command	Description
	Fields	View the name, type, and data ref of each field in this label template or other object. This command is not displayed when viewing a layout.
	Layers	View, configure, and manage the layers in this label template or other object. You can add or remove layers and configure the properties of each layer, including visibility. For more information, see Using Layers. This command is not displayed when viewing a layer object or a layout.
	Properties	Display the Properties pane if it is closed.
	Tags	View, configure, and manage the tag values applied to this label template or other object. For more information, see Categorize a Label Template or Other Object.
	Field Data Catalogs	View, configure, and manage the field data catalogs in this label template, layer object, or reusable object. For more information, see Using Field Data Catalogs.
	Data Sources	View, configure, and manage label data sources that are part of this label template or other object. For more information, see Configuring Label Data Sources. This command is not displayed when viewing a layout.
	Data Sets	View, configure, and manage data sets for this label template or other object.
	Format Sources	View, configure, and manage format sources for this label template. For more information, see Configuring Format Sources. This command is not displayed when viewing a layout.
	Linked Text Box Group	View, configure, and manage linked text boxes for this text box or layer. For more information, see Link Text Boxes.
	Label Specific Options	View, configure, and manage Label Specific Options to override device settings on a per-device model basis for this label template or other object. For more information, see Override Device Options with Label Specific Options. This command is not displayed when viewing a layer object.

Tools

Icon	Tool	Description
	Barcode Wizard	Run a wizard to guide you through the creation of a new barcode field.
	DaVinci Compare	Run a tool to compare label templates.
	Field Validation	If validation was configured on the field data catalog, check whether the fields and data on the label template are compliant with the field data catalog. For more information, see Add a Field Data Catalog.

Grid

Note: The Grid menu group is available from both the View and Arrange tabs.

Command	Description	Values
Grid (Points)	Display or hide an overlay grid on the label template or other object to assist with aligning objects. The dots or lines of the grid are not displayed in printed labels or in the forms displayed to Data Providers.
Field Envelope	Display or hide a dotted line envelope border for the selected field.
Align to Grid	Force the top left corner of an item to align with the nearest alignment overlay intersection or dot.	Align to Grid
Grid Spacing	Height and width of a grid square. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.
Line	The type of alignment overlay. The dots or lines of the grid are not displayed in printed labels or in the forms displayed to Data Providers.	Dot Line Dotted Line Dashed Line

Zoom

Icon	Command	Description	Values
	Zoom	Change the magnification level at which the label template or other object is displayed.	500% 400% 200% 150% 125% 100% 75% 50%

Icon

Command

Description

Values

Zoom

Change the magnification level at which the label template or other object is displayed.

500%

400%

200%

150%

125%

100%

75%

50%

Design Data

Command	Description	Values
Design Data	What data to show in fields when displaying a label template or a reusable object in Label Design . This option affects what is displayed in the Label View and Form View in Label Design , as well as what is displayed when you preview or print a label in Label Design . More specifically, this option affects what is displayed in text fields, barcode fields, and variable image fields. Default Value: The values specified in the Default Value property for each field are used. Placeholder: The data used for each field is placeholder data For a Variable Text field, the series of digits 1234567890, repeated until the maximum number of characters allowed for the field is displayed. For a barcode field, a sample barcode that adheres to the specified properties. For an image field, a sample image. Whether placeholder data is used in Label Design is controlled by the selection for Design Data. provided by Loftware Enterprise SP. Live Data Set: If configured, values from a live data set A collection of data (names and values) that was retrieved from a data source and is specific to a label template or a reusable object. A data set can be used to populate fields displayed in Label Design, in a preview, and when test printing. obtained from a Database data source, an Alternate data source, or a Date/Time data source are used. You can also add entries to the data set manually. Tip: If the Default Value field or the value from a live data set is empty or contains only a space and that option is selected, then a placeholder value is displayed in the Label View or Form View in Label Design . No visible indication of the field is displayed when you preview or print in Label Design . For more information, see Select Data to Display in Label Design.	Default Value Placeholder Live Data Set

Command

Description

Values

Design Data

What data to show in fields when displaying a label template or a reusable object in Label Design . This option affects what is displayed in the Label View and Form View in Label Design , as well as what is displayed when you preview or print a label in Label Design . More specifically, this option affects what is displayed in text fields, barcode fields, and variable image fields.

Default Value: The values specified in the Default Value property for each field are used.
Placeholder: The data used for each field is placeholder data For a Variable Text field, the series of digits 1234567890, repeated until the maximum number of characters allowed for the field is displayed. For a barcode field, a sample barcode that adheres to the specified properties. For an image field, a sample image. Whether placeholder data is used in Label Design is controlled by the selection for Design Data. provided by Loftware Enterprise SP.
Live Data Set: If configured, values from a live data set A collection of data (names and values) that was retrieved from a data source and is specific to a label template or a reusable object. A data set can be used to populate fields displayed in Label Design, in a preview, and when test printing. obtained from a Database data source, an Alternate data source, or a Date/Time data source are used. You can also add entries to the data set manually.

Tip: If the Default Value field or the value from a live data set is empty or contains only a space and that option is selected, then a placeholder value is displayed in the Label View or Form View in Label Design . No visible indication of the field is displayed when you preview or print in Label Design .

For more information, see Select Data to Display in Label Design.

Default Value

Placeholder

Live Data Set

Arrange

Grid

Note: The Grid menu group is available from both the View and Arrange tabs.

Command	Description	Values
Grid (Points)	Display or hide an overlay grid on the label template or other object to assist with aligning objects. The dots or lines of the grid are not displayed in printed labels or in the forms displayed to Data Providers.
Field Envelope	Display or hide a dotted line envelope border for the selected field.
Align to Grid	Force the top left corner of an item to align with the nearest alignment overlay intersection or dot.	Align to Grid
Grid Spacing	Height and width of a grid square. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.
Line	The type of alignment overlay. The dots or lines of the grid are not displayed in printed labels or in the forms displayed to Data Providers.	Dot Line Dotted Line Dashed Line

Arrange

Property	Description
Left	The distance from the left edge of the selected field or area to the left edge of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.
Top	The distance from the top edge of the selected field or area to the top of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.
Center X	The distance from the middle of the selected field or area to the left edge of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.
Center Y	The distance from the middle of the selected field or area to the top of the label. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.

Size

Property	Description
Width	The horizontal span of the selected field or area. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.
Height	The vertical span of the selected field or area. The value is dependent on the unit of measure for the label template.

Rotation

Property	Description
Rotation	The angle of the selected field or area in relation to the printed label. The value is in degrees.

Object Alignment

Icon	Command	Description
	Left	For a selected field or area, align its left edge to the left of the label template or other object. For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their left edges.
	Center	For a selected field or area, align its horizontal center to the center of the label template or other object. For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their horizontal centers.
	Right	For a selected field or area, align its right edge to the right of the label template or other object. For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their right edges.
	Top	For a selected field or area, align its top edge to the top of the label template or other object. For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their top edges.
	Middle	For a selected field or area, align its vertical midpoint to the middle of the label template or other object. For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their vertical midpoints.
	Bottom	For a selected field or area, align its bottom edge to the bottom of the label template or other object. For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their bottom edges.

Position

Command	Description
Distribute Horizontally	For two or more selected fields or areas.
Distribute Vertically	For two or more selected fields or areas.
Group	Associate the selected fields or areas so that they can be moved and configured in unison.
Ungroup	Disassociate the selected group of fields or areas so that the they can be moved and configured separately.
Bring Forward	Move a selected field or area forward in the stacking order.
Bring to Front	Move a selected field or area to the front of the stacking order.
Send Backward	Move a selected field or area backward in the stacking order.
Send to Back	Move a selected field or area to the back of the stacking order.

Print

Print Actions, Device, and Recent Jobs

You can preview the output of this label template. You must select a device and then run the Design Print command for some options to become active.

Option	Description
View Job Status	For the job selected, display the status in Status. For more information, see Managing Job and Device Status.
Design Print	Print a label using this label template and the selected device.
Design Preview	Display a preview of the label in a separate window. The following controls are displayed in the Print Preview window. Print: Send the data currently in the form to the selected device or device queue. If running this command in Print , the values for Quantity and Duplicates specified in the main Loftware Enterprise SP window are used. If entering data for a series of labels managed by a layout, the form is reset to receive input for the next label. Close: Close the Print Preview window. Fit to Window: Scale the preview image to fit within the Print Preview window. Zoom Level: The percentage displayed is the zoom level for the preview image. You can adjust the zoom level by clicking the arrows for the field or the Fit to Window button.
Device	Select the device connection to use to print a label using this label template. This may be a physical printer, device queue, or other target for output, such as an image file or a PDF file. Click the browse button to select a device connection. Tip: Your default device is automatically selected. You can set a default device in Preferences under Print Preferences. For more information, see Set User Preferences.
Recent Jobs	View the job ID and time stamp for recent print requests.