Paper forms barcode properties in the Field tab

When you select a paper forms barcode object on the form design, the Field tab in the Object palette displays several options specific to formatting paper forms barcodes.

Type

Sets the type of object. Objects are the building blocks of every form.

Label

A custom or automatically generated caption that appears below the barcode. Useful for distinguishing barcodes in distinct versions of barcoded forms.

Generate Label Automatically

When selected, the barcode label is automatically generated. Deselect the option to specify a custom label.

Symbology

Specifies the symbology for the barcode:

PDF417
QR Code
Data Matrix

Note: End users filling a form that contains a QR Code or DataMatrix barcode require Acrobat 7.0.5 or later, or Adobe Reader 7.0.5 or later. Decoding of QR Code and DataMatrix barcodes is supported by Adobe LiveCycle Barcoded Forms 7.0 but is not supported by Adobe LiveCycle Barcoded Forms 7.0 Standalone (ST).

Scanning Method

Specifies the conditions for decoding the information in the paper forms barcode after it is printed on a form. The decode condition determines the horizontal and vertical data cell size and the error correction level for the barcode. Designer contains the following preset and custom options:

Document Scanner (Default)

Selecting this option automatically sets the Error Correction Level, Module Height/Width, and Module Width to values that work well when scanning a paper forms barcode using a 300-dpi scanner. Designer specifies these values:

Error Correction Level: 5
Module Height/Width: 2 (PDF417), 1 (QR Code and Data Matrix)
Module Width: 0.0133 inches

Hand-held Scanner

Selecting this option automatically sets the Error Correction Level, Module Height/Width, and Module Width to values that work well when scanning a paper forms barcode using a hand-held scanner. Designer specifies these values:

Error Correction Level: 5
Module Height/Width: 3 (PDF417), 1 (QR Code and Data Matrix)
Module Width: 0.0133 inches

Fax Server

Selecting this option automatically sets the Error Correction Level, Module Height/Width, and Module Width to values that work well when scanning a paper forms barcode that was printed on a form received by a fax machine. Designer specifies these values:

Error Correction Level: 6
Module Height/Width: 2 (PDF417), 1 (QR Code and Data Matrix)
Module Width: 0.0133 inches

Custom

Selecting this option activates the Property/Value list and lets you set the properties for the Error Correction Level, Module Height/Width, and Module Width to any values within the following ranges:

Error Correction Level: 1 - 8
Module Height/Width: 1 - 4 (whole numbers for PDF417), 1 (QR Code and Data Matrix)
Module Width: 0.0133 - 0.04 inches

When Custom is selected, the Property list remains activated, regardless of the Error Correction Level, Module Height/Width, and Module Width property values, even if they are identical to those of a preset condition.

Note: The Error Correction Level setting is disabled for Data Matrix barcodes.

Property/Value

When the Custom option is selected, you must set the property values for the error correction level, module height-over-width ratio, and module width:

Error Correction Level: Specifies the level of data redundancy that is added to the barcode to help correct for possible scanning errors. Acceptable levels for Value range from 1 to 8. Higher levels allow for more redundancy and a more robust barcode. Higher levels will also require a larger barcode. A more robust barcode can recover from errors, such as pen marks or folds in the document, by including redundant information in the barcode. Designer will automatically set an Error Correction Level based on the type of scanning device you select.
An Error Correction Level of 5 tends to provide good performance and still allow the barcode to be a reasonable size. It is recommended that you keep the Error Correction Level above 5 unless you are very familiar with barcode decoding technology.

Note: The Error Correction Level setting is disabled for Data Matrix barcodes.
Module Height/Width: Sets the height of the barcode, as a ratio of the module height over width. Acceptable levels for Value are integers (whole numbers) from 1 to 4 (PDF417), 1 (QR Code and Data Matrix).
Module Width: Sets the width of the smallest bar in the barcode. Every other bar in the barcode will be a multiple of this dimension. Acceptable levels for Value range between 0.0133 inches and 0.04 inches.
The Module Width value will be rounded to the nearest 1/300 inch when the barcode is rendered in Acrobat or Adobe Reader. You should be very familiar with barcode decoding technology when selecting the module width.

Presence

Controls whether an object is displayed in a PDF form when users view the form in Acrobat or Adobe Reader, or when users print the form:

Visible: The object is visible on-screen, visible in the printed form, and occupies space in the form layout. Visible is the default presence setting for all objects.
Visible (Screen Only): The object is visible on-screen, not visible in the printed form when printed from within Acrobat or Adobe Reader, and occupies space in the form layout.
Visible (Print Only): The object is not visible on-screen, visible in the printed form (when printed from within Acrobat, Adobe Reader, or directly from the server), and occupies space in the form layout.
Invisible: The object is not visible on-screen, not visible in the printed form, and occupies space in the form layout.
Hidden (Exclude from Layout): The object is not visible on-screen, not visible in the printed form, and does not occupy any space in the form layout.
One-sided Printing Only: The object is only printed when using single-sided printing.
Two-sided Printing Only: The object is printed when using double-sided printing. This option is useful when you want to place the page number in a different corner of the page when using double-sided printing than when using single-sided printing.