Barcode object
Frequently asked questions

Supporting SoftwareLink
What programs work with the ActiveBarcode control?

All programs that support OLE 2.0 and all programs that explicit support ActiveX controls like: Access, Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge (IE Mode), FrontPage, Visual FoxPro, Visual C++, Visual J++, Visual C#, Visual Basic, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), PowerPoint, PowerBuilder, C++ Builder, Delphi and many more.
You can evaluate ActiveBarcode without any registration or obligation for free.

Saving barcodes as image filesLink
As a developer I want to save barcodes as image files.

Yes, simply use the methods SaveAs, SaveAsBySize or SaveAsBySizeExtended.
If you want to change the bitmap before saving, use the Picture property to retrieve the image.

The barcode or its picture property does not refresh or doesn't have any dataLink
I get an error stating the picture property is not set and does not contain any data yet.

If you use the Picture property in a time critical situation or doing batch loops, you have to give the OS enough time to do it's event handling. E.g. in VBA you need to use 'DoEvents' to guarantee that the picture property is correctly set with data. Alternatively you can use the CreatePictureBySize method before using the picture property.

Manually install the barcode controlLink
I am a developer an want to install only the barcode object manually on the target system. How to do exactly that?

You can setup only the barcode object or you can integrate the control into your own installation routine. A detailed explanation on how to redistribute ActiveBarcode can be found here: Distribution of the Barcode Object (ActiveX Control, OCX) with your own Application.

Object, OCX, Control: Entering control codesLink
How can I enter control codes?

Read on to find out more information on using control characters in barcodes.

Change font sizeLink
How can I change the font size?

The font size is set using the Font property.
You can change this property directly via development tools or via the properties dialog.
E.g. in Word: Right mouse button on the barcode -> ActiveBarcode object -> Properties.

Read check digitLink
How can you read the value of the check digit from barcodes that have a check digit?

The check digit can be read using the Checksum property.

Automatic barcode widthLink
Is it possible to dynamically adjust the width of the barcode to the required minimum based on the text?

You can create a function that does this in the TextChange event. Using the property IsSizeOk you can find out whether the barcode can be displayed or not. By changing the width of the barcode object, you can then quickly determine the correct value using an approximation algorithm.

Black Box instead of a barcodeLink
Why do I just get a black box instead of a barcode when I embedded the barcode control in a form?

Your developing environment selected bad default colors for the barcode control. Simply customize the control and set the background color (Backcolor) on white (clWhite).

Crystal Report data bindingLink
I try to use the barcode control with Crystal Report and Visual Basic for usage on a report. I can add the control as OLE object, but I can't link a property with a database?

Crystal Report does not appear to be able to link properties of an ActiveX control. You need to make the data binding manually from your Visual Basic program. As far as we know, Crystal Report can't do this automatically.

Development environment: license issueLink
The development environment does not recognize the developer license.

Sometime the development environment like Delphi, Visual Studio or Visual Basic does not recognize the change of the license. This is because the license data is stored when adding the object to the development environment. Then it is necessary to insert the control again after the developer license has been installed. Please make sure the developer license is installed on the development computer correctly.

Start the development environment. Do not open your project. Now remove the control from the toolbox.
Close and restart Visual Studio.
After the restart insert the control back into the toolbox.
This time the correct license information will be stored in the development environment and you can open your project again and compile it with the correct license.

A detailed explanation on how to redistribute ActiveBarcode can be found here: Distribution of the Barcode Object (ActiveX Control, OCX) with your own Application

The developer license is not recognized by DelphiLink
Delphi cannot create EXE files which work at the customer without own license.

Please make sure the developer license is installed on the development computer correctly.

Start the development environment. Do not open your project.
Remove the ActiveBarcode control from the development environment (the package).
Compile the package so that the control is really removed.
Now insert the control back into the package.
This time the correct license information will be stored in the development environment and you can open your project again and compile it with the correct license.

Following these steps will regenerate the component wrapper ACTIVEBARCODELib_TLB.pas. You can check the timestamp by searching for "File generated on".

A detailed explanation on how to redistribute ActiveBarcode can be found here: Distribution of the Barcode Object (ActiveX Control, OCX) with your own Application

Barcode does not change in the picture propertyLink
I use ActiveBarcode with Delphi in a database. First I open a dataset and print the barcode. This works fine. Now I do this again with another dataset and now the same barcode is printed. I'm using the picture property for printing.

Add the following line of code to your project exactly before you create a new barcode:

Barcode1.Picture.CleanupInstance;

How-to-use manual for Delphi 4,5,6 and 7Link
Do you have step-by-step manuals for older versions of Delphi?

You can download manuals for legacy Delphi versions as PDFs here:
ActiveBarcode-Delphi-4-5-6-7-EN.pdf (English)
ActiveBarcode-Delphi-4-5-6-7-DE.pdf (German)