Set up bar code masks
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack
Use bar code masks to create and check bar codes, and to reduce bar code errors. You can set up masks for both standard bar codes and custom bar codes, which are also referred to as in-house bar codes. Bar code masks consist of an optional prefix and one or more segments.
In-house bar code masks
When you set up custom bar code masks, you must know the requirements of the scanners that are used in your stores. Some scanners only validate bar codes that have a specific format and check digit.
When you create a bar code mask for an item that has variants, Microsoft Dynamics AX can generate the bar codes for each size, color, and style combination.
Standard bar code masks
Bar codes often have a fixed structure. For example, the last digit of standard EAN bar codes is a modulus check digit. When a bar code is entered, Microsoft Dynamics AX checks the validity of the input. Microsoft Dynamics AX also calculates the check digit and converts the input to a standard EAN bar code, if these steps are required.
Supported standards
Bar code masks can be based on any of the following bar code standards:
No bar code
EAN128/UCC128
Code 39
Interleaved 2 of 5
Code 128
UPC A
UPC E
EAN13
EAN8
PDF417
Maxicode
Set up bar code masks
Click Retail > Setup > Bar codes and labels > Bar code mask setup.
Press CTRL+N to create a new bar code mask.
In the Mask ID field, type an ID number, and then, in the Description field, type a description.
In the Type field, select the type of bar code mask.
On the General FastTab, in the Bar code standard field, select the bar code standard for the mask.
In the Prefix field, enter an optional prefix. For example, prefixes are often used to identify the manufacturer.
On the Bar code mask segment FastTab, click Add to create a new segment, and then specify information about the segment.
The Length field displays the total number of characters in the bar code mask, which is the sum of the characters in the segments and the prefix.
Repeat step 7 for each additional segment that you must create.
For example, a bar code mask that identifies the size, color, and style of a product might have the following segments.
Segment number
Type
Length
1
Product
4
2
Size digit
2
3
Color digit
2
4
Style digit
2