Creating barcodes

Astrid Mazur

Has anyone created a barcode for direct mail not using Mail? I have the constituent id, appeal id, pkg id and fund id on a spreadsheet and need to create a barcode that Raiser's will read.

Melissa Graves 2

Astrid Mazur:

Has anyone created a barcode for direct mail not using Mail? I have the constituent id, appeal id, pkg id and fund id on a spreadsheet and need to create a barcode that Raiser's will read.

Knowledgebase:

https://www.blackbaud.com/kb/index?page=content&id=BB26876&actp=search&viewlocale=en_US&searchid=1381250759141

Joshua Bekerman bCLO bCRE

Astrid Mazur:

Has anyone created a barcode for direct mail not using Mail? I have the constituent id, appeal id, pkg id and fund id on a spreadsheet and need to create a barcode that Raiser's will read.

 Hi Astrid.  I've always wanted to use barcodes for our direct mail appeal but never have.  However, you should be able to create your own barcode with the fields you mention.  (If you are merging into a word document you'll need to use the correct bar code font.)  If you want to scan the bar code while using a gift batch, you'll have to set your batch fields up to match the order of the bar code.  You will also have to include a "tab" within the bar code.  The specifics depend on the bar code scanner that you are using and the barcode font.  The scanner basically just replaces the keyboard, so whatever keying is done during gift entry would need to be included in the barcode.

Again, I've never done this and strongly suggest testing everything BEFORE sending out your materials that have the barcode.

 

Christine Newcomb

@Melissa Graves--Hi, I was wondering if you know of a current link in Knowledgebase for this bar code topic? The page cannot be found when I click on the link in your original post, and I haven't been able to find a solution for creating a bar code with the appeal and package only--without fund ID in the bar code. Thank you!

Karen Diener 2

@Christine Newcomb:

@Melissa Graves--Hi, I was wondering if you know of a current link in Knowledgebase for this bar code topic? The page cannot be found when I click on the link in your original post, and I haven't been able to find a solution for creating a bar code with the appeal and package only--without fund ID in the bar code. Thank you!

I'm not sure you can do what you are asking, but if the idea is that the Fund could change with every donation, it isn't an issue. I've generated barcodes before, and we usually picked the most frequent Fund. When you scan the barcode in Gift Batch, the Fund will populate but it can be changed.

This knowledgebase article explains how barcodes are configured, but it doesn't appear that they are fully supported in RE.

I'd recommend searching the knowledgebase for further information about what you are trying to accomplish.

Karen