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In some cases, the data for one or more objects on your template might not be known or available until print time. Consider the following examples: 

• A standard shipping label includes the weight of a package, but the package is not weighed until print time.

• A product label for perishable items needs the current date to be entered each time you print the label.

• The print operator must specify a particular database record to be printed from a group of records that are contained in a database table.

These types of scenarios, and more, are supported by BarTender data entry forms. At print time, you can use the data entry form to enter the data (or the criteria that are used to determine the data) that is subsequently printed on your items.

In This Section

• Understanding the Data Entry Form

  A data entry form appears at print time, and print operators use it to enter data that is related to the printed items. That data can be printed directly on the items, be used as criteria to determine the content printed on the items, or be information about the print job that is saved to a database rather than being included on the printed items.

• Creating Data Entry Forms

  A default data entry form is available for each document, and you can create as many additional forms as you require. The form is available for use at print time after you create a data entry control on it, although you can subsequently configure how often the form appears during a print job or whether it appears at all. You can also resize the form, specify its position on the monitor at print time, set the tab order of the controls on the form, and change the form's background color.

• Creating Controls and Objects

  Many highly configurable user-input controls are available for use on the data entry form, such as lists, check boxes, and record pickers. You can also add organizational controls and objects (such as lines and groups) to the form to provide structure and information to help users correctly complete the form.

• Importing Data into Forms

  By using data entry controls, you can import data into your data entry forms, including database records, measured weights from connected scales, and images from video devices, scanners, or digital cameras.