Using Barcodes with FileMaker Pro

Barcodes are typically used in cases where you have to enter a lot of information quickly, and want to avoid data entry errors. A good example would be your supermarket check-out counter or a patient identification tag worn on the wrist. Instead of keying in a long series of letters and numbers for each item, a barcode scanner just scans the code, and it's automatically entered in the computer.

If you have an existing solution or are planning on building a FileMaker Pro database, you can easily add support for barcodes. Here's how:

Scanning Barcodes
If you want your solution to be able to accept barcodes, you just need a barcode scanner. The prices range from US$100 for a basic handheld unit, to several thousand for units that are designed for high volume and accuracy. To be able to connect it to your Mac, you need to make sure that it has a USB connector.

Once you plug it in, the barcode scanner acts just like a keyboard. Although instead of you typing in by pressing buttons, you point it to a barcode label and (depending on the settings) the barcode scanner sends the number to the active program in the computer.

So to implement barcode scanning on your FileMaker Pro database: click on the field where you want the scanned barcode to be entered (normally an item code field), then scan the barcode, and the code is automatically typed. You will usually need this field to be looked up to generate the item name or price, for example.

Some barcode scanners can be configured to send special characters once scanning is completed, so instead of pressing the TAB or RETURN key after scanning, the barcode scanner does that for you. The scanner documentation will usually contain this information.

Printing Barcodes
To be able to print barcodes from within FileMaker Pro, you'll need a barcode font installed in your Operating System. Here's a free one you can use: ID Automation Code 39 Barcode (make sure you read the instructions on how to install, and the barcode font's limitations).

Once it's installed, create a layout where you'll print your barcodes plus the field you want to appear in barcode format. Then change the font of the field to the barcode font. You may need to adjust the size of the font and field to get it to look right. You may also need to make a few test prints to make sure the barcode scanner recognizes the print out as well.

You may also need to add symbols to the barcode you are generating for certain scanners to recognize it. For example, if your Item Number field contains the value "10001", you may need to create another field called Item Number Barcode so it contains the value "*10001*" calculated from the original Item Number field.

That's it!
Not much effort is required to get started with barcodes in FileMaker Pro. You'll need the scanner, the font, and an additional layout. The rest of the possibilities are up to you!