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Mar 16, 2021 · 6 min read · Listen
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Photo by Christopher Gower on Unsplash
QR and Barcode printing on Zebra printer using
SAP (Smartforms, Adobeforms) or ZPL(Zebra
Programming Language)
A s can be understood from the title, I will talk about in my article today is how
barcodes and similar things (like QR Codes or Data Matrix) are made from
Zebra printers using SAP Smartforms/Adobeforms or ZPL.
Zebra Barcode Printer
Before starting the subject, let me explain to you the logic of doing both ways. First, I
will give some information about the working logic of ZPL. Only Zebra printers can
decode the written ZPL codes and the written code turns into a meaningful printout on
the printer, it is seen as just a stack of code until it reaches the printer.
ZPL is a programming language used for Zebra printers. You can learn this
programming language from the document shared by the zebra for software
developers on its site, or you can design your own barcode using the Zebra Designer
Program and extract it directly from the Zebra printer or save it to the file and view it
in TXT format then you can see that ZPL codes. Moreover, you can view the ZPL codes
written on the Labelary website.
Whereas, if you want to apply this process in Smartform and Adobeform, you have to
handle all process on SAP and you will see the output in the print preview. On the other
hand, printer applies only the barcode printing process, there is no extra operation on
it.
I can explain with example for Adobeform:
1- Use transaction code SFP. Enter the Interface and press on Create (Interface is
mandatory for Adobe form).
SFP
2- Enter the Description and Press Enter.
Create Interface
3- Enter the Package name and Save. Below Screen appears.
Change Interface
4- Press on Create button to add an importing parameter. Add V_AUFNR which is of
type AUFNR and check the optional Flag. Check, Save, Activate the Form Interface.
Add new parameter
5- Back. Enter the Form name and Press Create button.
Create Form
6- Enter the Description and Interface name which we created earlier.
Create Form-2
7- Enter the Package name and Save. Following screen appears.
Form Builder
8- Open the import Parameter and Drag and drop the required variable to Context.
9- Then Press on Layout Tab. The following screen Appears.
Layout
10- Drag and Drop the Field which you wanted to print on the form to Design view. You
can place this field anywhere in the layout.
Data View to Design View
11- There will be a Toolbar with the name: Object Library. If you are not able to find go
to Palettes -> Object Library. In the Toolbar, look for Barcodes option. Expand it.
Below are the different types of the Barcodes. Usually, we use Code 128C — but it can
change based on the country and requirement.
Object Library->Barcodes
12- Drag and drop the Code 128C Barcode to your Layout.
Code 128C
13- Go to Data Binding, Bind the Order number: V_AUFNR.
Binding
14- Place a Heading (Text) on the top (not mandatory): BARCODE GENERATION
EXAMPLE: Ahmet Acar
Barcode Example
QR Code
Check, Save and Activate the Form. We are done placing the Barcode and QR Code,
Binding it to a data source. It is that simple. Isn’t it?
To see output for test purpose. go to SFP and give your Form name. Press F8 and give
some value to importing parameters, just like you do for function module and see the
output.
That was all for the Adobeform part. If the printer settings have been applied in your
system, when you call the relevant Adobeform, you can see this output from printer.
On the other hand, we can use Zebra code in Smartforms or Adobeform. In this
example, we will use Smartforms.
I will explain through the example on Labelary website. When you first open the site,
you will see an example. On the right side, you will see the output sample of the labels
and on the left side, you will see the ZPL codes of this example.
http://labelary.com/viewer.html
We could use just code part in smartforms. I’m not explain details this code parts,
because those codes explain very detail in ZPL document. For example, I’m just write a
comment part, use starting line (^FX) code or use text(^FT) code. I’m suggesting you to
try this part a lot and learn by mistakes.
Smartforms
In this example, I’m doing my experiments on the site, I will see the output images of
the barcodes and apply it to my own production in smartforms. As you know, when
previewing the output with ‘LP01’, you will only see the codes. Only the Zebra printer
can decode them.
Otherwise, we can use ZPL Designer Program creating barcodes,QR codes etc.
Zebra Designer
Firstly, sorry for using the program in Turkish, if there is a point that you are stuck, I
will reply if you ask in the comments. In this example we will use the QR code. I’m
click the barcode button on the left panel and then put on the screen.
In this section, I write the value ‘Ahmet’.
Second part, I’m choose barcode type ‘QR’.
To view it as ZPL code, follow the steps below:
Press File button
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1. Press Print button.
2. Click Print in Folder checkbox.
3. Press Print button on the up side.
We must save file PRN format.
Then open with Notepad++
As you can see, ZPL code appeared.
Thank you for reading. Stay tuned!
What do you guys think? I love to know your thoughts. Kindly like, share or comment below.
Ahmet Acar.
Zebra Barcode Qr Code Sap Labels
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