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Using Global Data Fields

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Automation, Enterprise Automation

A global data field is a data source stored in the BarTender System Database. By storing a data source in a centralized location, it is easily shared across all users, computers, and documents that are connected to the same System Database.

To use global data fields, you must first configure the BarTender System Database. For information on how to set up the BarTender System Database, refer to System Database in the Administration Console book of the BarTender help system.

The benefit of using a global data field may become more apparent when you consider the following example of sharing a counter (an incrementing serial number) with documents across your network.

ClosedExample

Your company ships products with a unique serial number. Both your shipping labels and packing slips contain a text field that needs to reflect the serial number of the product. Ordinarily, you would have to set up two separate serialization sequences running in parallel and hope that nothing causes them to lose sync. Global data fields, on the other hand, allow you to share a counter between both documents, so that the serial number is always synchronized.

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