Crystal Reports PDF 417 Generator
Guide to Generate PDF-417 in Crystal Reports
Add Dynamic PDF 417 Images into Crystal Reports with Flexible Barcode Image Settings
- Comprehensive and easy-to-use PDF-417 barcode SDK for .NET 2.0 and greater
- Completely written in the managed C#.NET and compatible with VB.NET
- Generate scannable and printable PDF-417 barcode image in Crystal Reports
- Automatically validate the value of PDF-417 for easy and quick generation
- Render high-quality PDF-417 image in Gif, Tiff, Bmp, Png and Jpeg formats
- Easy to encode tilde functions, such as returns, tabs, GS, RS, etc
- Easy to redistribute for no activation key or registration code is required
This guide offers detailed, step-by-step instructions for creating and printing PDF-417 barcodes in Crystal Reports for ASP.NET Web Forms, WinForms, and WPF applications built on .NET Framework.
It covers core barcode generation, data encoding, dimension configuration, error correction, and advanced features to ensure smooth integration with Crystal Report components.
PDF-417 Barcode Library for Crystal Reports Introduction
KA.Barcode Generator for Crystal Reports is a comprehensive and robust .NET solution which allows you to produce barcodes in Crystal Reports displayed in Gif, Tiff, Bmp, Png and Jpeg formats. This barcode generator can be easily integrated into existing and new reports just by adding it to project reference and then copying the C# or VB.NET sample code we provide online.
PDF-417 Barcode Symbology Introduction
PDF-417 is also known as Portable Data File 417 and PDF417 Truncated. It is a 2D stacked barcode symbology capable of encoding a large amount of data. PDF-417 Error Correction Level allows the symbol to withstand some damage without the loss of data.
PDF-417 Encodable Characters
- Standard ASCII values: 0-127
- Extended ASCII values: 128-225
PDF-417 Characters Encoding in Crystal Reports PDF-417 encodable characters
PDF417 format supports the following character set and compact modes
- Text Compaction mode permits all printable ASCII characters to be encoded
- Byte Compaction mode permits all 256 possible 8-bit byte values to be encoded
- Numeric Compaction mode permits efficient encoding of numeric data strings.
- Up to 811,800 different character sets or data interpretations
- Several function codewords for control purposes.
PDF-417 Data Mode
PDF417 has defined three high level data encoding modes, each of which defines a particular efficient data encoding.
- Text Compaction mode
- Byte Compaction mode
- Numeric Compaction mode
Maximum Data Length (Error Correction Level 0)
Data capacity varies by encoding mode:
- Text Compaction mode: Up to 1,850 characters
- Byte Compaction mode: Up to 1,108 characters
- Numeric Compaction mode: Up to 2,710 digits
Note: Higher error correction levels reduce usable data capacity. You may adjust levels based on your report's distribution method.
Download PDF-417 Barcode Library for Crystal Reports
- KACrystalData.mdb
- ProductDataSet.xsd
- KeepAutomation.Barcode.Crystal.dll
- End User License Agreement
- User Manual & Order Page
For a "KA Barcode" watermark may be included in PDF-417 barcode image created with the above Crystal Reports Barcode Library evaluation version, the evaluation version can only be used in non-business applications.
Encoding Text in PDF-417 for Crystal Reports (C#)
Generate PDF-417 with ASCII Text
PDF-417 supports all 128 ASCII characters.
- Printable ASCII characters require no special formatting.
- Simply assign text directly to the Data property.
Encode Non-Printable ASCII Characters
For control characters (such as line breaks) in report data:
- Replace non-printable characters with ~ + 3-digit ASCII value (example: carriage return = ~013).
- Set ProcessTilde = true to enable special character parsing.
Note: To ensure data accuracy in Crystal Reports, you can configure your scanner to decode tilde-formatted values.
Generate PDF-417 with Unicode Text
To add multilingual Unicode text to reports:
- Create a PDF417 object.
- Assign Unicode text to the Data property.
- Set EncodeUnicodeText = true.
Additional Supported Data Formats
PDF-417 supports advanced data structures for enterprise reports:
- Binary data: Raw file bytes compatible with serialized DataTables
- GS1 System messages: Compliant with supply-chain application identifiers
- ECI mode: Extended international character sets for global report distribution
PDF-417 Dimension Settings for Crystal Reports (C#)
You can customize PDF-417 size to fit any Crystal Reports layout (Header, Footer, Details).
Basic Size Configuration
Set unit of measure and dimensions using these properties:
- UOM: Unit (PIXEL, CM, INCH) matching report units
- BarcodeWidth: Total barcode width
- BarcodeHeight: Total barcode height
Advanced Layout Customization
For precise report fitting, you may use these properties:
- AutoResize: Set to false to enable manual dimension control
- X: Module width (minimum barcode element size)
- XtoYRatio: Width-to-height ratio (default: 0.3333333f)
- RowCount: Number of rows (3 - 90)
- ColumnCount: Number of columns (1 - 30)
- Margins: Left, Right, Top, Bottom (quiet zone, minimum 2X recommended)
Note: Ensure row and column values fit the report's PictureBox size to prevent layout overflow in WinForms/WPF.
Advanced PDF-417 Features for Crystal Reports (C#)
Error Correction Control (ECL)
PDF-417 uses built-in error correction for reliable scanning, especially for printed reports.
You can set the level using the ECL property in your ASP.NET, WinForms, or WPF project:
- Level 0: 2 codewords (digital distribution)
- Level 1: 4 codewords (low-risk printing)
- Level 2: 8 codewords (standard printing)
- Level 3: 16 codewords (high-wear labels)
- Level 4: 32 codewords (industrial use)
- Level 5: 64 codewords (harsh environments)
- Level 6: 128 codewords (mission-critical reports)
- Levels 7- 8: 256 - 512 codewords
Compact (Truncated) PDF-417
For narrow report columns, you can enable truncated PDF-417.
Note: Truncated mode is not recommended for reports exposed to physical damage.
Macro PDF-417
Macro PDF-417 splits large datasets across multiple barcodes (like Structured Append in QR Code and Data Matrix).
- Supports up to 99,999 linked symbols
- Ideal for large Crystal Reports subreport data
- Scanned in any order and automatically reassembled
Properties for Macro PDF-417:
- Macro = true: Enable macro mode
- MacroFileIndex: Unique file ID
- MacroSegmentCount: Total number of barcodes
- MacroSegmentIndex: Current barcode position (starts at 0)
Summary
This guide has walked you through generating, customizing, and printing PDF-417 stacked 2D barcodes in Crystal Reports using the KeepAutomation .NET Barcode Library.
- Full integration with ASP.NET Web Forms, WinForms, WPF, and VB.NET using ReportDocument and CrystalReportViewer
- Advanced text handling: ASCII, Unicode, non-printable characters, and tilde processing for report fields
- Complete layout control: dimensions, error correction, and compact mode for any report section
- Enterprise-grade features: Macro PDF-417 for large datasets and GS1 compliance for business reports
You can now implement professional, standards-compliant PDF-417 barcodes in any Crystal Reports .NET application for web or desktop use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What purposes does PDF417 serve?
PDF417 is a high-density stacked 2D barcode. It's used in various fields like driver's licenses, airline boarding passes, transportation, and inventory control.
And also is a versatile 2D barcode commonly You'll find it on items like driver's licenses, airline boarding passes, and government ID cards.
What makes PDF417 and QR Code different from each other?
PDF417 and QR Code are both 2D barcodes. PDF417 offers higher damage resistance (50%) than QR codes (30%).
How much information can a PDF417 store?
With error correction level set to 0:
- For text: 1,850 characters
- For binary data: 1,108 bytes
- For numerals only: 2,710 digits
How is the aspect ratio of a PDF417 calculated?
For a printed PDF417 barcode, its aspect ratio depends on two dimensions:
- X: The width of the thinnest bar and thinnest space.
- Y: The height of each row.
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