Free 3 of 9 Bar Codes Not Read

Issue

Why are bar codes created using the Free 3 of 9 Barcode Font in Microsoft Word not successfully read by the Standard Bar Code or Enhanced Bar Code engines?

Cause

The "Free 3 of 9 Barcode Font" places an extra "end of line" character (which is not a valid Code 3 of 9 character) immediately after the Stop character when the bar code is created in Microsoft Word.  This violates the Trailing Quiet Zone requirement in the Code 39 (3 of 9) bar code specification, rendering the bar code invalid.

Solution

Kofax recommends using a dedicated bar code creating program. If this is not an option, create the bar codes within Wordpad or Notepad.

The Enhanced Bar Code engine can be configured to not enforce one of the Quiet Zone requirements (but not both):

1. Stop all applications and/or services that use Kofax VRS / ImageControls
    
2. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Kofax\Vrs
    
3. Create a new text file called KBarMode.ini (if it does not already exist)
    
4. Open KBarMode.ini in a text editor such as Notepad
    
5. Add the following lines (if they do not already exist):

   [Barcode]
   Algorithm=1
   IniActive=1
   C39_ShortQuietZones=1
   

6. Save the changes to KBarMode.ini
    
7. Restart any applications and/or services that use Kofax VRS / ImageControls

Level of Complexity 

Moderate

Applies to  

References

N/A