Using Barcodes With Other Windows Applications

Summary

The information in this article applies to LIMS 1.x/2.x

This article describes the nature of the barcodes used within the LIMS software and how similar barcodes can be generated using other Windows programs.

More Information

LIMS generates barcodes for sample IDs on container labels and various reports. These barcodes are produced using a Windows True Type font. Barcodes come in a number of different formats and the hardware used to scan and decode the barcode must recognize these formats. LIMS uses a Code 3 of 9 barcode and a True Type font supporting this format is installed on each LIMS workstation during system installation.

Barcodes can be used in other Windows applications for example, to print barcodes for frequently entered text. These barcodes can be used to minimize data entry. Documents produced in other applications with data exported from LIMS could also include barcodes for sample IDs to be used much like system work orders and work sheets.

To add a barcode to any Windows application that supports fonts:

1. Place an asterisk ‘ * ‘ immediately before and after the text to be barcoded;
2. Select all the text and the leading and trailing asterisk;
3. Using the application’s font selection facility, choose the “3 of 9 Barcode” font from the list of True Type system fonts and set the font size accordingly;
4. Print the document and test the barcode by switching to Notepad or a text editor or word processor and scan the barcode.

Note that installation of LIMS configures the barcode decoder to send a horizontal tab termination character following a successful barcode decode. In the LIMS software, this tab character is used to trigger an AfterUpdate event on sample ID fields to automatically retrieve the sample’s data.