BC2021W1 with a “Cloud Barcode” system
Others have already posted about it, since it has always been a hot topic (since 2018!) I also set an example of use. Today Business Central 2021 Wave 1 natively provides the management of barcodes in reports (functionality announced long ago and released today).
Barcode Ready-to Go
- Code39, Code128, EAN8, EAN13 …
About Barcode in Business Central
“The barcode functionality lets you convert an alphanumeric value in a report dataset into a barcode on a generated report. The functionality is provided by the Barcode module of the System Application. “
Using a barcode font in the report layout
“Each supported symbology has a corresponding font installed in Business Central online. To use a barcode font in the report layout, mark the encoded string from the dataset with the font.
It’s possible as a developer to use a font in a layout without having it installed on the machine that you use to develop the layout. Without the font, the report won’t show the barcode. But if you then test the report in an online sandbox, it will be shown on the report.
Install the demo versions of the fonts in your developer environments so that you can design custom reports.
For a Windows environment, install the fonts.
For a sandbox Docker environment, download and then install the demo fonts locally. Then use the Add-FontsToNavContainer PowerShell cmdlet to add fonts to the container.”
How the system works
Barcode management is included in the System Application
The module includes the objects and tools needed to add barcodes to reports, just recall them to be able to use them.
I believe that the fonts are installed in the Azure Tenant that hosts my BC Cloud instance, in fact if I use it on On-Premise I have to install the fonts in my system, in the Cloud it is not needed, they are provided as a service.
How to use it
4 Steps
- Declare a barcode font provider
- Select the required barcode
- Validate the input string you want to print on the barcodes (not mandatory)
- Encode the string and display it in the report (RDLC or Word Layout)
Example of use:
RDLC REPORT LAYOUT
RUN TEST REPORT
Source & Docs
https://github.com/microsoft/ALAppExtensions/tree/master/Modules/System/Barcode
Ready to use example
https://github.com/rstefanetti/AL-Code-Samples-Education/tree/CloudBarcode
STAY TUNED!
Microsoft note on my question
“You need to use the prod names for the fonts in the RDLC layout file”
See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-report-barcode-fonts for details”
It only works correctly if the names to be used are those highlighted
Obviously, if you do not have the font installed locally, the name must be replaced directly in the rdlc file by vscode.
Thanks for the post i found it very useful!!
One doubt, is available anywhere the fontfamily name for all the possible barcodes admited by BC? Like the photo you show with the list of Code 128 but for the rest of the codes (EAN13…)
Hello,
And for GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) which font to use ?
Or only way to generate it is through some online services ?
Thank you,
Best Regards,
Goran
The Code128() function in the IDAutomation font encoder provides an automated method to generate GS1-128. Additionally, the IDAutomationC128M font is specifically designed for GS1 barcodes when printed at 12 points where a size of 1/2 inch tall and an X dimension of 10 mils is required.
https://www.idautomation.com/barcode-fonts/code-128/
I couldn’t find any Code128() function that you’re referring about and also tried the “IDAutomationC128M font is specifically designed for GS1 barcodes when printed at 12 points where a size of 1/2 inch tall and an X dimension of 10 mils” on my rdlc report and didn’t seemed to work. Can you please be more specific in how to obtain the GS1-128 in Business Central (SaaS)? Thank you in advance.