GS1- Data Matrix

• Aug 01, 2018
• 3 minutes to read

Short Description

The GS1 Data Matrix uses a special start combination to differentiate the GS1 DataMatrix symbol from other Data Matrix ECC 200 symbols. This is achieved by using the Function 1 Symbol Character (FNC1) in the first position of the encoded data. It enables scanners to process the information according to the GS1 System Rules.

Bar Code Properties

The type of a bar code control’s Symbology property is DataMatrixGS1Generator.

The following properties are specific to the GS1 DataMatrix type.

• XRBarCode.AutoModule

  Gets or sets whether the Module property value should be calculated automatically based upon the barcode’s size.

• DataMatrixGS1Generator.FNC1Substitute

  Specifies the symbol (or set of symbols) in the bar code’s text that will be replaced with the FNC1 functional character when the bar code’s bars are drawn.

• DataMatrixGS1Generator.HumanReadableText

  Specifies whether or not parentheses should be included in the bar code’s text.

Examples

The following code creates a GS1- Data Matrix bar code and specifies its main properties.

Note

A complete sample project is available at https://github.com/DevExpress-Examples/how-to-add-a-bar-code-to-a-report-e167.

Form1.cs

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing.Printing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using DevExpress.XtraPrinting.BarCode;
using DevExpress.XtraReports.UI;
// ...
public XRBarCode CreateDataMatrixGS1BarCode(string BarCodeText) {
    // Create a bar code control.
    XRBarCode barCode = new XRBarCode();

    // Set the bar code's type to Data Matrix GS1.
    barCode.Symbology = new DataMatrixGS1Generator();

    // Adjust the bar code's main properties.
    barCode.AutoModule = true;
    barCode.Text = BarCodeText;
    barCode.ShowText = true;
    barCode.Width = 200;
    barCode.Height = 200;

    // Adjust the properties specific to the bar code type.
    // (Assigned below are the default values.)
    ((DataMatrixGS1Generator)barCode.Symbology).FNC1Substitute = "#";
    ((DataMatrixGS1Generator)barCode.Symbology).HumanReadableText = true;
    ((DataMatrixGS1Generator)barCode.Symbology).MatrixSize = DataMatrixSize.MatrixAuto;

    return barCode;
}

Form1.vb

Imports System
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.Drawing.Printing
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports DevExpress.XtraPrinting.BarCode
Imports DevExpress.XtraReports.UI
' ...
Public Function CreateDataMatrixGS1BarCode(ByVal BarCodeText As String) As XRBarCode
    ' Create a bar code control.
    Dim barCode As New XRBarCode()

    ' Set the bar code's type to Data Matrix GS1.
    barCode.Symbology = New DataMatrixGS1Generator()

    ' Adjust the bar code's main properties.
    barCode.AutoModule = True
    barCode.Text = BarCodeText
    barCode.ShowText = True
    barCode.Width = 200
    barCode.Height = 200

    ' Adjust the properties specific to the bar code type.
    ' (Assigned below are the default values.)
    CType(barCode.Symbology, DataMatrixGS1Generator).FNC1Substitute = "#"
    CType(barCode.Symbology, DataMatrixGS1Generator).HumanReadableText = True
    CType(barCode.Symbology, DataMatrixGS1Generator).MatrixSize = DataMatrixSize.MatrixAuto

    Return barCode
End Function

To add the XRBarCode to a report band, handle the report’s XRControl.BeforePrint event.

C#

using System.Drawing.Printing;
// ...

private void XtraReport1_BeforePrint(object sender, PrintEventArgs e) {
    this.Detail.Controls.Add(CreateDataMatrixGS1BarCode("012345678"));
}

VB.NET

Imports System.Drawing.Printing
' ...

Private Sub XtraReport1_BeforePrint(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As PrintEventArgs)
    Me.Detail.Controls.Add(CreateDataMatrixGS1BarCode("012345678"))
End Sub