Barcode Tutorial for Streaming Images in Crystal Reports

Users of Crystal Reports XI and above, who wish to embed barcodes into their Crystal Reports, have the ability to do so without the need to install any components on client machines. This approach simply needs one of IDAutomation's streaming web components available to all clients who will be running the report. The image is seamlessly streamed from the server right into the Crystal Report.

When creating several barcodes on large reports, latency may cause a slow-down in report generation. If this issue is experienced, consider implementing the streaming option of the ASP Barcode Server for IIS or the IDAutomation Java Barcode Package on the local machine that is generating the reports. Additionally, many other Crystal implementation options with fonts or components are available that do not have latency issues.

1. Purchase a subscription to the Dynamic Barcode Generator Service or use the fully-functional free demo version. 2D barcode types such as Aztec, PDF417, DataMatrix and MaxiCode are only available in the purchased version of this product. Optionally, one of the following streaming products may be implemented on your own webserver:
   • ASP Barcode Server for IIS - Implements streaming barcodes from IIS.
   • IDAutomation Java Barcode Package - The servlet component in this package creates streaming barcodes.
2. The Java package servlet is used in this example. However, for testing purposes and evaluation, the Dynamic Barcode Generator Service may also be used without installing any software. Simply replace
   http://trl:7001/servlet/LinearServlet?BARCODE=
   with
   http://www.bcgen.com/demo/linear-dbgs.aspx?Format=jpeg&BARCODE=
   in the examples provided.
3. In the Crystal Report, click on Insert from the file menu and select OLE Object.
   
    
4. Select Bitmap image in the Insert Object dialogue box and click OK.
   
    
5. Position and size the object to meet the needs of the report. (NOTE: When the object is dropped onto the report designer, the object will be in "Edit" mode. Simply click off of the object to return to the Report Design Mode.)
6. Select the object and click on Format - Graphic Properties from the file menu.
7. Select Picture from the list of tabs, and then click on the Graphic Location icon.
   
    
8. In the formula window, enter the URL address of the streaming server and append the appropriate parameters to ensure the JPEG file type is created, as well as field that needs to be encoded and any other necessary parameters. The following examples encode {Table1.id} within the barcode that is streamed into the report:
   "http://trl:7001/servlet/LinearServlet?BARCODE="+{Table1.id}+"&CODE_TYPE=CODE39"
   BCGEN Example:
   "http://www.bcgen.com/demo/linear-dbgs.aspx?Format=jpeg&BARCODE="+{Table1.id}+"&CODE_TYPE=CODE39"
   
    
9. Save and Close the Format Function window.

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