Printing Barcodes in SAP Using Downloadable PCL Fonts
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Contents on this page
[
Introduction
]
[ Downloading fonts
to the printer ]
[
Defining printer
control sequences in SAP ]
[
Printing bar
codes with ABAP or SAPSCRIPT ]
See also:
Printer Barcode Fonts: Pricing,
specifications, and demonstration software download
Introduction
This paper describes how to print barcodes on SAP systems using downloadable fonts and
standard laser printers. The process is relatively simple:
• Copy a barcode font file from the host system to the destination printer.
• Create an output file with formatted text strings and font selection commands
• Send the output file to the printer.
PCL (Printer Command Language) is a standard developed by Hewlett-Packard
Corporation which
defines a wide range of commands that control the formatting of documents on laser
printers. PCL is supported by virtually every laser printer manufactured. PCL includes
specifications for "soft fonts" which, when downloaded to a printer, will be
automatically stored in the printer's memory and be available for use.
Most laser printers do not include native barcode capability. Those that do often
employ a variety of command syntaxes, making it difficult to mix printer brands within a
single system. Plug-in barcode modules are available, but are often printer brand or
model-specific, and the cost per printer stays relatively level (generally from $250 to
$425 per printer depending on capabilities of the module).
Downloadable soft fonts work on any brand or model of printer with the same command
syntax, simplifying programming in large installations and expanding the range of printers
that can be used. Some high-capacity printers include programmable memory or hard disk
drives and can store downloaded fonts permanently. Although downloadable fonts do not
offer the automated formatting features found in the high-end hardware modules, the cost
per printer is dramatically less.
The downloadable fonts described in this paper are available as pre-built kits or can
be generated using the Barcode Font Generator from MEC Software. Sample fonts,
demonstration programs, and pricing/licensing information are available through The
Barcode Software Center, on the web at www.makebarcode.com.
The version of SAP used in preparing this paper was 4.6c.
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Downloading Fonts to the Printer
Before barcodes can be printed, a barcode font must be available in the printer's
memory. MEC Software PCL-5 fonts include all of the required PCL commands and data;
all that is required is to send the font file from the host computer to the printer. There
are several methods for sending a font to your printer. Two that work well in the
SAP/Windows environment are lpr and copy.
lpr
The lpr command can be an effective method for downloading fonts. Unix and Linux
support lpr; Windows/NT, 2000, and XP also support lpr, but it may not be installed by
default (lpr may be called Unix printing by the Windows setup process). The general form
of the lpr command is:
# lpr -S<server> -P<printer> [-C<class>] [-J<job name>]
[-O<option>] <filename>
As an example, let's assume that the destination printer is available at IP address
192.168.100.40 and the file BC_3of9_4pitch.dsf contains the downloadable PCL barcode font.
We must use -O (option) followed by a lower case letter "L" to specify binary
mode (Windows requires a lower case "o"):
# lpr -S192.168.100.40 -P192.168-100.40 -Ol myfont.dsf
copy
You can simply Copy the font file to the printer port. In Windows, open a MS-DOS
command line window. Use the /b (binary) command line option:
C:\> COPY /B myfont.dsf LPT1:
Note: If your system does not support long filenames you will need to rename the
files. For example: C39_4PIT.DSF.
If you are in a MS-DOS command prompt under Windows and the destination printer is on
the network, using the printer's network name may not work depending on your version of
Windows. For example, this command should send the font to the printer under Windows/98
and Windows/2000, but may simply make a copy of the file on disk with Windows/95:
C:\> COPY /B myfont.dsf \\MAIN\LASER
You may first have to assign the printer to a local printer port with the NETUSE
command. The port does not have to physically exist, and you should not use a port that
actually has a local printer attached to it. For example, if you have local printers
attached to LPT1 and LPT2 and a network printer named "\\Main\Laser," you could
assign LPT3 to the network printer:
C:\> NETUSE LPT3: "\\MAIN\LASER"
C:\> COPY /B myfont.dsf LPT3:
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Defining Printer Control Sequences in SAP
We need to define a barcode prefix (a command string to turn on the barcode font) and a
suffix (another command to switch back to a normal text font). First, we need to get to
the right screen. Select SAP Transaction SPAD (Spool Administration) to display
Spool
Administration: Initial Screen. Then click the Full Administration button.
Select the Device Types tab and select the printer that will be printing the barcodes
(HPLJ4, for example).
Select the green check mark after entry of the Device Type to display the
Spool
Administration: Device Type screen, then click on the Print Controls tab.
The Print Controls page displays a list of defined print control sequences, each
identified by a name. You can create new sequences or modify existing sequences. Let's
create a control sequence named BCPFX to define the prefix that will turn on the barcode.
Each downloaded font is identified by a number which is built into the font. Assuming that
the font we want is number 200, we will need the following characters:
Escape Code (hex 1B)
Opening (left) parenthesis character (hex 28)
Font ID 200 (hex 32 30 30)
An upper case X to mark the end of the command (hex 58)
All of these characters need to be entered as a single string (no spaces) in the
Control
Character Sequence column: 1B2832303058. We also need to define a sequence to
turn off the barcode font and switch back to a normal text font. Let's create sequence
BCSFX to switch to the printer's default font. The PCL command to do this requires the
following characters:
Escape Code (hex 1B)
Opening (left) parenthesis character (hex 28)
The number 3 (hex 33)
An @ symbol (hex 40)
So the complete sequence would be written as: 1B283340. You might prefer to
switch to a specific text font instead of the printer's default. Complete details can be
found in the PCL Reference Manual, available from Hewlett-Packard.
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Printing Barcodes with ABAP or SAPSCRIPT
We are now ready to print barcodes using an ABAP report program or a SAPSCRIPT form. In
these examples we are using Code 39 barcodes which require very little formatting (all we
have to do is add asterisks before and after the data).
Sample ABAP Program:
DATA: BAR_CODE1(16) VALUE `*ABC01230123A01*'
NEW-PAGE PRINT ON IMMEDIATELY `X'.
FORMAT COLOR OFF INTENSIFIED OFF.
* If the barcode is the first element on the page, the following Write
* statement is needed (otherwise you get a date in the first print
* control.
WRITE:/
* Turn on the barcode font, print the data, and switch back to the
* printer's default font. Be sure to use NO-GAP to avoid unwanted
* characters or CR/LF.
PRINT-CONTROL FUNCTION `BCPFX'
WRITE: BAR_CODE1 NO-GAP
PRINT-CONTROL FUNCTION `BCSFX'
* Add a Write statement to prevent insertion of CR/LF into the barcode.
WRITE:/
Sample SAPSCRIPT
* Variable BAR_CODE1 contains the barcode data, including asterisks.
* The & is needed to avoid unwanted spaces or CR/LF characters
/E LINE
/: PRINT-CONTROL BCPFX
= &BAR_CODE1&
/: PRINT-CONTROL BCSFX
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