BarCode Acro field

[tweety51677017]

Hi, 

I have created a PDF with a (Barcode) form field using Adobe acrobat Pro. The Symbology is (PDF417) and Decode Condition is (Handheld Barcode Scanner). For the Encode Using (Tab Delimited) option, I've picked a particular field from the file. When I populate the acro fields though the JAVA application, it all works fine. But when I take a print out of the filled out pdf and try to scan the barcode with a handheld scanner, the barcode is not recognized. Is there any additional parameter required to recognize the barcode field ?

Thank You

[George_Johnson]

What is the Java application that you're using? It would have to update the field appearances in addition to setting the field values, and you'd have to use Acrobat (not Reader) to open and print the form. If the Java application isn't able to correctly generate the field appearances, you'll need to rely on Acrobat doing that, which is probably what you'll need to do for a 2D bar code field since it relies on JavaScript. An alternative is not to use a bar code field and have the Java application generate an image or graphic of the correct symbol and place it on a page.

[tweety51677017]

Thank you very much for the response George. I'm using iText library to populate the bar code field. Currently, I'm not setting the bar code acro field's appearance though, which I shall rectify. Just one additional question though. If I have to print the pdf using Adobe Reader and subsequently scan the barcode, will either of the solutions you told me above work ? Thank you very much once again.

[George_Johnson · Accepted solution]

2D bar code fields normally don't work in Reader. It's possible to enable a document so that they work, but you wouldn't be able to modify the document with iText.

The alternative of generating the 2D symbol yourself would be compatible with Reader since you wouldn't be using a bar code field and instead placing the symbol as regular page contents.

[tweety51677017]

Thank you very much for the detailed clarification George.

[try67]

Just to clarify, barcode fields will work in Reader in the sense that they can display an existing barcode, but you can't change or set their values in it, unless the special rights have been applied.

[tweety51677017]

Appreciate the clarification George. If you don't mind me asking, I shall surmise my understanding/requirement below. And I do apologize if I'm going from the very beginning. I just want to get the working right.

My pdf which has a bunch of acro fields and a bar code field (The value of which is linked to one of the acro fields) are getting populated by iText. The user who has only Adobe Reader opens / prints the pdf (which is pre-populated with the values through the Java application) and scans the barcode. The user does not modify the encrypted pdf - Only scan the barcode.

My understanding was that, we do not need to give any document rights as the user is merely printing / scanning the barcode.

But, if the 2D barcodes as acro fields do not work well when opened with a Reader, then I shall render the barcode as an image and append it to the pdf document. So, my question is whether handling the barcode as an image would allow the end user to open the pdf with just a Adobe Reader and yet scan it.

Thank you very much for your help once again. Really appreciate it.

[whyisthisme]

Hi Geroge,

I know this thread is from years ago but I have just come across it and I wanted to ask how do I enable a document with the rights to generate a barcode in Adobe Reader?

I have Acrobat Pro and can do the usual Reader Extended rights but that doesn't seem to include barcode capability. I have an XFA form which generates a qr code with the users entered data and it works correctly in ACrobat Pro but in Reader it just comes up as a grey box.

Thanks!

[try67]

You can't enable it in Acrobat. It requires a special server application Adobe sells for a lot of money.

[whyisthisme]

Thanks for getting back to me. Which specific server application do you need to make it work?

[try67]

It used to be called something like Adobe LiveCycle Reader Extensions, but it's possible it has a new name now.

If you're interested, I've developed a method of having a dynamic QR code in a PDF in a way that doesn't require any additional rights applied to the file. You can contact me privately to discuss it further.