Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 5948
Envelope addressing does not print barcodes (postnet zip-codes)
Last modified: 2017-05-20 11:20:00 UTC
Clients who compose and send mail via Office require barcode printing for envelope addressing, a feature that exists in M$ Word, in order to make the switch to OpenOffice.
change subcomponent to IssueZilla (uppercase 'Z')
Shouldn't this be in word processor or some similar component, not www.
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Reassigned to Bettina.
Hi Reporter, can you give some more specific hints to your needs as - which client do you use - how is the barcode that should be printed generated - which special WORD- function do you use until now? A Word-document (for the envelope) might be helpful, maybe OOo will decide to take over the WORD-Functionality 1:1 Rainer Bielefeld
Created attachment 6924 [details] M$ Word document demonstrating desired postal barcode feature
>> can you give some more specific hints to your needs as - which client do you use<< M$ Word 2000 (I find XP too unstable and the UI too hateful) >> - how is the barcode that should be printed generated << >> which special WORD- function do you use until now? << Are these the same question? Perhaps I don't understand. In M$ Word you access the feature as follows: "Tools", "Envelopes and Labels...", "Options", "Delivery point barcode" checkbox In OpenOffice this would appear in the similar user interface accessed by "Insert", "Envelopes" >>A Word-document (for the envelope) might be helpful, maybe OOo will decide to take over the WORD-Functionality 1:1<< Attached to the project, "envbarcode.doc" Eric
*** Issue 11619 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
I tried my german WORD2000 and can not find such barcode-option, but my WORD-HELP has some hints concerning barcode (only US-version?). Nevertheless I see that that might be a fine enhancement, and so --> NEW, P5. For my understanding: Does your WORD create the barcode or are the barcodes supplied by another tool (if other tool - which one?) I can not do any further work here because I have no possibility for further tests with WORD. Rainer
Created attachment 7084 [details] No barcode-option in my WORD2000
*** Issue 7079 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
Word 97 also has the same functionality, in the "options" tab of the envelope widget. The bar codes are generated directly by Word, and appear in the preview immediately. No external program is needed. Information on the bar codes can be found at: (web address->bar code calculator) http://www.cedar.buffalo.edu/adserv.html (bar code fonts) http://www.mecsw.com/software/softwarefonts.html http://www.advancemeants.com/POSTNETFont/download.htm (description) http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/Pub28/pub28.pdf (see pp 42-44) http://thalia.spec.gmu.edu/~pparis/classes/notes_101/node44.html
Here's another web-based barcode generator, which doesn't require printing to see the codes, but which seems to put spaces between the segments to better illustrate. I don't think the spaces should be present on the printed envelope. http://www.d.umn.edu/~jgallian/fapp5/zipnbarbody.html
Removed keyword accessibility
Can this be targeted for 2.0? Also platform / OS should be changed to all.
I would also like to see two options added to the Open Office Insert / Envelope options. I'm not sure is there was some confusion, but I believe this appears only in the US versions of MS Word. Both of these options are well used by US businesses. 1) An option to use US ZIP code Barcodes with the Addressee. MS Word refers tothis as "Delivery Point Barcode" 2) An option to use the US postal courtesy reply barcode on the envelope. MS Wordrefers to this option as "FIM-A Courtesy Reply Mail" MS Word2000 US version: Tools / Envelopes and Labels... / Options [button] If mailed in the USA - Delivery Point Barcode - FIM-A Courtesy Reply Mail Larry Sacherich
*** Issue 23587 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
*** Issue 12449 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
extending summary to make it easier to find in a query.
This is a fairly trivial issue - all you need to do is parse the delivery address looking for the zipcode, and then use a barcode font to display it on a line above/below the address. I am interested in contributing to the project. I wrote the address matcher in the link listed in David Fenyes comment: http://www.cedar.buffalo.edu/adserv.html
> [...] and then use a barcode font to display it on a line above/below the address. That's the problem. OOo doesn't have a barcode font. And AFAIK there are no free (redistributable) barcode fonts. Thus a function that would just take the zipcode and format it with another font would not help. Otherwise the parsing and insertion of the newly formatted barcode could be easiest achieved with a macro (as a workaround). I thik such a macro would be a good thing to contribute.
Reference information for anyone tackling the task of adding this feature to OO: The barcode is "POSTNET" format, and it well described and specified in a publication for the US Postal Service, publication 25 chapter 4. The link below is an online version of that publication: http://pe.usps.gov/text/Pub25/Pub25ch4.htm
Thank you for the link to the specification I created a set of AutoTexts for the encoded digits. It consists of grouped rectangles, so display on screen may not be the best due to scaling, but printout should be fine. To use/test it: put the Postnet.bau into your <ooodir>/user/autotext directory and restart OOo The shortcuts are "pf" for the frame bars and "p<digit>" for the numbers 0-9. Insert the autotext using the shortcut followed by <F3>, e.g. type pf<F3>p1<F3>p4<F3>p1<F3>p2<F3>p7<F3>p2<F3>p2<F3>p3<F3>p7<F3>pf<F3> Since it is annoying to type the barcode this way, I wrote a small macro that reads the plain digits (141272237 from the example above) and does the rest for you. Some questions: Would it be sufficient to only encode the 5-digit zipcode and add the correction character? Or is the nine-digit Zip+4 (+correction character) more common? Or even the Eleven-Digit Delivery Point Code?
Created attachment 17659 [details] AutoText file - put it into <oodir>/user/autotext
Created attachment 17660 [details] simplistic macro, queries for the digits to convert to postnetbarcode
I would say that for compatibility with MS Word, as well as to follow newer US postal standards we would need the zip+4 barcode capability. It would be nice if we could follow the Universal Postal Union's standards for barcodes (http://www.upu.int/) but I can't seem to find a copy of their standard (unless you pay for them to send it to you).
I wrote a more sophisticated macro that should work for most cases (hopefully) Prerequisites: * the AutoTexts uploaded earlier to insert the actual barcode * The address must be located in a text frame named "addressee" (or "Empfänger" for the german version of OOo) If you insert an Envelope using "Insert|Envelope..." OOo creates that frame for you. If, for some reason, you don't use the Insert|Envelope functionality you either have to * rewrite the macro or * create a textframe using Insert|Frame. In the "Options"-tab you will find the "name" box. Enter "addressee" into that box. Run the macro using "PostNetCode()" Please report whether this macro gives correct results. (The barcode is put before the address)
Created attachment 17667 [details] macro that parses the address located in a textframe to generate postnet barcode
cloph, I'm getting an error partway through the running of the macro. It successfully reads the barcode, but errors out with InsertPostnetCode portion, specifically because of oAutoText = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.text.AutoTextContainer") I have copied the autotext file and placed it in the correct directory. Any suggestions?
>[macro throws error at oAutoText = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.text.AutoTextContainer")] You need at least OOo 1.1.x to run this macro. So could you please test again with OOo 1.1.2 or with OOo 1.1.3rc?
Ahhh, sorry I tested it on 1.9.51 and 1.9.54, not 1.1.2 or 1.1.3rc. I'll retest it with a stable release shortly.
hmm. I tested with 1.9m54 and it works (linux version) AutoTexts placed in ~/.OpenOffice.org1.9.54/user/autotext, Macro loaded using Tools|Macros-> Organize Macros -> OpenOffice.org Basic expanded "My Macros" -> "Standard" -> "Module1", hit "Edit". loaded the postnet_revised.bas using the "insert BASIC source" toolbar button, save & close the macro window. Then opened a new writer document, choose instert|envelope enter some address and then run Tools|Macro -> Run Macro, choose "My Macros" -> "Standard" -> "Module1" -> "PostNetCode" and hit "Run" -> Barcode gets inserted without error message.
cloph, Thanks for posting your detailed instructions. I followed them exactly, and still get the error at the autotext portion. In the Windows release, the folder autotext has a subfolder English. I've tried placing your autotext file in both folders, but I still get the error with 1.9.54. I'm downloading 1.1.3 to test on now. The exact error is: BASIC runtime error An exception occurred Type: com.sun.star.container.NoSuchElementException Message: .
cloph / jacooks: The macro works fine for me(I even didn't read the detailed instructions, just put Postnet.bau to the desired directories and copied the macrocode to a new module). Anyway, I cannod verfiy if the barcodes are correct (as I'm German too). TEsted with OOo 1.1.3 / OOo 1.9m54 on Windows XP (both are multiuser installs, files copied to the user config dirs).
I tested on Win XP Home Hungarian 1.9.56.(English) and failed during Messeage' could not determine delivey point' and stopped on oPostnetGroup = oAutoText.getByName("Postnet"). if I changed the delivery point detail, to the POSTNET found on page nearly same results I get. without messeage but with debug messeage with correct recognition of zip number, delivery point is a mess, and correction character is on. 1.1.2 (Hungarian) is failed, but I think in it changed frame name from 'adresse' to 'címzett' and this caused the problem. 1.1.3 (English)stopped same way but in point oPostnetEntry = oPostnetGroup.getByName("pf") and in a messeage delivery pont is get from zip code above row second an third character
I tested on SuSe Linux 9.0 1.1.2 Hungarian (I solved my mistake in it put the frame name) results same as in 1.9.56. English and the results: stopped at point oPostnetEntry = oPostnetGroup.getByName("pf") used address: JOHN JOHN 101 Street ANYWHWRE US 12345-6789
@r4zoli: you can change the value of the variable "nameOfFrame" to "címzett" to make it work with the hungarian version (you can as well rename the frame to "Addressee") The "could not determine delivey point" message is not an error (just a debug/informative message). The execution stops because the needed autoTexts are not available. You need to copy the attached "Postnet.bau" to you autotext folder. Check whether the autotext works by typing "p0<F3>" or "p1<F3>" and "pf<F3>"
C.S. Morris: A message to your email account at flashmail.com bounced. I will *not* send an unblock message. I regard this way of "fighting spam" nonsense. If you let my messages bounce, you don't get my mail.<period> sorry for this OT message.
cloph, Re-ran this with OOo 1.1.4. Worked fine, not sure what I was doing wrong the first time but I'll chalk it up to not inserting the autotext right the first time. Anyway, this worked fine with both Zip and Zip+4. I compared against MS Word 2003 and their barcode, and visually the barcode matches perfectly. I'll test this with a barcode scanner within the next day or so and just verify its perfectly readable. Thanks for all your work on this.
Barcodes look good printed and seem to match (my barcode reader has problems reading postal barcodes). I also tested this under Windows XP (SP2) with 1.9.77 and it worked flawlessly. I think its good to go.
*** Issue 16357 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
Created attachment 28049 [details] Uno-Package that can be installed using Tools|Package Manager
I attached a backage that is meant to be installed unsing the package manager. It will install a menu-entry under "Tools|Addons" and registers an entry in the Help-Menu. It will install the autotext-file and the macros. After adding it using the package manager you can use it without restarting the Office (you only have to open a new document to see the menu-items) The Help-document currently is only a placeholder.
The USPS page on Postnet barcodes is here: http://www.usps.com/ncsc/addressservices/certprograms/barcode.htm
*** Issue 66435 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
I have been using the PostNetCode0.6 from cloph sucessfully for a while now. However, I just tried to use it on a fresh intsall of OO on FC6 (openoffice.org-writer-2.0.4-5.5.10), and received the following error: "Path already added - We should never rech this point. Please contact the author!" Is there an update on this feature being included in OO?
Hi Mathias, I have changed the current owner to your owner. Please take the ownership of these enhancements.
*** Issue 83694 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
The US Delivery Point Barcodes are being replaced by the Intelligent Mail Barcode. Fonts and code libraries for implementation are available from the US Postal Service at http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSOLUTION/ I would really like to see this feature added to the suite. Thank you.
Any updates here? Would a dev be able to reassign the "Version" and the "Milestone".
This issue has been discussed since June of 2002 when OOo 1.0 was new. It is now June of 2008, and I am using OOo 3.0 beta. It is hard to believe that there is still no inclusion of this feature. At present my work-around is to print all of my envelopes using WordPerfect, which, like MS Word, has this feature and has had this feature for years. Not a way to win converts to OOo. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) site that jcuccia linked to above states that the new "Intelligent Mail® barcode technology, among other things, combines the capabilities of the POSTNET barcode and the Planet Code® barcode into one unique barcode." The term "Planet Code" hints that the rest of the world may soon adopt to using the barcode system for automated mail sorting, making the need for the inclusion of this feature in OOo a world wide requirement. As some U.S. States, such as Massachusetts, now require all governmental and judicial documents to be in Open Document format, it would seem that OOo is poised to become the document writer of choice for government bureaucracies and the legal profession, and yet OOo still lacks this envelope addressing feature. Having worked in law offices for years, I know that law offices address a lot of envelopes daily. There is a need for this barcode feature in a word processor to be used in office environments. As fsk pointed out years ago, the feature does not seem so complex in concept. Is anyone working on this request?
Here is the new link for the POSTNET specification, the old link above has expired: http://www.usps.com/ncsc/addressservices/certprograms/barcode.htm
It seems some have felt my post above was rude. In response to that I've quoted below my post in another forum relating to the same issue. "The fact that the issue has been unresolved in six years was not a dig at developers, but a comment on the unimportance that the issue has been deemed . . . "Both MS Word and WordPerfect have had this feature for many years. OOo is a very viable alternative to these two programs. Businesses are now looking at Linux as a cost efficient alternative to Windows and OOo as a cost efficient alternative to MS Word. This missing feature is holding businesses back from embracing OOo. I'd like to see that change, and making this feature available could make that difference." I apologize to any who took offense. I am trying to kindle interest in this issue, not rant at developers. Tony
*** Issue 91785 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
I kind of lost track of this issue. Just a small remark as stated before, I'm not a U.S. citicen, thus I (and noone I know from my personal surroundings) can make use of such an extension. All I know about the barcodes is from the linked documents (thanks for those) Of course everyone is free to take the code from the extension and extend it. It merely was meant as a demonstration on how it might be done. The solution with the autotext-drawings was a quick way to do it. If I'd do it again now, I'd very likely use some java barcode library to create a png instead of inserting the autotexts. As for the intelli mail codes: Those might be easier to use, as there are already some samples around. I cannot make any promise, since I didn't loot at it yet....
*** Issue 116083 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
i have several years' experience in generating barcode, i think some turioals and articles might be helpful. you can google Postnet Barcode, and some articles can be available. i can give you some if you need . this is the turoial of generating Postnet Barcode , you can ,make it as reference and the tool if free for 30 days.this is the barcode generator in c# and other formats, i think it might also be helpful http://www.rasteredge.com/how-to/csharp-imaging/barcode-generating-postnet/ http://www.rasteredge.com/how-to/csharp-imaging/barcode-generating/ good luck.
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