Integrating Barcodes into Dynamics 365 PDF Exports

Introduction

Barcodes play a crucial role in various business processes, enhancing data accuracy and efficiency. Microsoft Dynamics 365 users often need to include barcodes in documents like invoices, tickets, or order forms. This article introduces a practical approach to embedding barcodes in Word templates that are exported to PDF, ensuring compatibility and readability across devices without requiring additional barcode generation tools.

Prerequisites

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 environment
• Microsoft Word
• Access to a barcode font (Code 128 recommended)
• Basic understanding of Dynamics 365 Word templates

Step 1: Choosing the Right Barcode Font

Select a barcode font that suits your business needs. Code 128 is versatile, supporting all standard ASCII characters. Ensure the font license allows embedding in documents for wide distribution.

Step 2: Installing the Barcode Font

1. Download the chosen barcode font.
2. Install it on your system by right-clicking the font file and selecting "Install." Ensure it's installed on any system involved in creating or editing the Word templates.

Step 3: Preparing Your Word Template

1. Open Microsoft Word and create a new document.
2. Insert the data placeholders where you want the barcode to appear.
3. Apply the barcode font to these placeholders.
4. Save the document as a Word template (*.dotx).

Step 4: Embedding Fonts in the Document

To ensure the barcode displays correctly on any system, embed the barcode font in the Word document:

1. Navigate to File > Options > Save.
2. Check the option Embed fonts in the file.
3. Save these settings.

Step 5: Integrating with Dynamics 365

1. Upload your Word template to Dynamics 365.
2. Generate documents using Dynamics 365 data. The placeholders will be replaced with actual data, formatted as barcodes.
3. Export the document to PDF through Dynamics 365's standard export functionality.

Ensuring Compatibility

• Test the exported PDF on various devices and with different PDF readers to ensure the barcode is accurately rendered and scannable.
• If the barcode is not displaying correctly, verify that the font embedding was successful and that the font is installed on the server (if server-side rendering is used).

Conclusion

Embedding barcodes in PDF documents exported from Dynamics 365 can streamline business processes, reduce errors, and improve efficiency. By carefully selecting a barcode font, embedding it within your Word templates, and integrating these templates with Dynamics 365, you can ensure seamless barcode functionality across your business documents.