Supported Barcode Types - ABBYY Documentation

ABBYY Vantage supports over 25 barcode types, including such popular barcodes as Code 39, Code 128, UPC, EAN, PDF 417, Data Matrix, and QR Code.

Barcode type	Image	Description
Australia Post		Australia Post is a “four-state” system encoding four types of bars: Full-Height, Ascender, Descender and Tracker (DAFT notation). This encoding system is used in mail sorting for Australia.
Aztec		Aztec is a high-density two-dimensional matrix style barcode symbology that can encode up to 3750 characters from the entire 256 byte ASCII character set. The symbol is built on a square grid with a bulls-eye pattern at its center.
Codabar		Codabar is a self-checking, variable length barcode that can encode 16 data characters. It is used primarily for numeric data, but also encodes six special characters. Codabar is useful for encoding dollar and mathematical figures because a decimal point, plus sign, and minus sign can be encoded. Note: Includes Codabar with Checksum.
Code 128		Code 128 is an alphanumeric, very high-density, compact, variable length barcode scheme that can encode the full 128 ASCII character set. Each character is represented by three bars and three spaces totaling 11 modules.
Code 32		Code 32 (Pharmacode) is a variation of the Code 39, representing an integer value from 3 to 131070. The number is encoded in binary using black bars and spaces between them. The minimum number of bars is 2, the maximum is 16. Pharmacode is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a packing control system.
Code 39		Code 39 is a discrete, self-checking, variable length symbology that can encode 43 data characters: uppercase A-Z, 0-9, space, and the following symbols: - . $ / + %. Code 39 is ideal for applications that require alphanumeric content.
Code 93		Code 93 is a variable length, continuous symbology that retains the same 43 characters in the Code 39 character set, adds five more control codes, and requires two check characters. Code 93 is primarily used in the Canadian postal office and by some automotive and electronic industries.
Data Matrix		Data Matrix is a very high-density two-dimensional matrix symbology. Data Matrix is capable of encoding up to 2335 alphanumeric characters or 3116 numeric characters. Every Data Matrix is composed of two solid adjacent borders in an L shape and two other borders consisting of alternating dark and light “cells” or modules. Data Matrix can be read even when only 20% of the symbol is visible.
EAN 13		The EAN 13 barcode is a superset of UPC-A, adding an extra digit to the beginning of every UPC-A number. This expanded version is called EAN 13 in contrast to the 12-digit UPC-A. The EAN 13 barcode is primarily used in supermarkets to identify products at the point of sale.
EAN 8		The EAN 8 barcode is a shortened version of the EAN 13 barcode. It was developed for use on small packages where an EAN 13 barcode would be too large.
GS1 DataBar		GS1 DataBar (previously known as Reduced Space Symbology, RSS) is a family of 1D bar codes used in the GS1 DataBar Coupon and the GS1 DataBar Stacked barcodes. The GS1 DataBar family includes the Omnidirectional, Truncated, Stacked, Stacked Omnidirectional, Limited, and Expanded symbols.
IATA 2 of 5		IATA 2 of 5 is a numeric-only, variable length barcode. This symbology encodes data in the width of the bars and the width of the spaces. Every 2 in 5 bars (every five elements) are wide with the rest narrow.
Industrial 2 of 5		Industrial 2 of 5 (also referred to as 2 of 5, Code 2 of 5 or 2/5) is a variable length, numeric-only barcode. This symbology encodes data in the width of the bars with the spaces being fixed. Of every five bars, two are wide, with the rest narrow.
Intelligent Mail		Intelligent Mail is a “four-state” system encoding four types of bars: Full-Height, Ascender, Descender and Tracker (DAFT notation). This barcode is the newest in a series of postal barcode symbologies used by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Interleaved 2 of 5		Interleaved 2 of 5 is a higher-density numeric-only symbology based on the Standard 2 of 5 symbology. Interleaved 2 of 5 encodes data in the width of both the bars and spaces. This is unique in that both the bar and space patterns encode data. Because of this, Interleaved 2 of 5 symbols consist of pairs of numbers. The even-positioned numbers are encoded in bars, the odd-positioned ones are encoded in spaces.
KIX		KIX is a “four-state” system encoding four types of bars: Full-Height, Ascender, Descender and Tracker (DAFT notation). This encoding system is used for mail sorting by the postal service of the Netherlands.
Matrix 2 of 5		Standard 2 of 5 is self-checking numeric-only barcode. All of the information is encoded in the bars; the spaces are fixed width and are used only to separate the bars. Matrix 2 of 5 is used primarily for warehouse sorting, photo finishing, and airline ticket marking.
MaxiCode		MaxiCode is a specific type of barcode, that uses dots arranged in a hexagonal grid instead of bars. In the center of 1-inch square containing the MaxiCode symbol is a bulls-eye which is surrounded by the grouped dots. The information encoded with the MaxiCode symbol can be read even if a part of the symbol is damaged. The MaxiCode encoding is used by the United Parcel Service.
Patch		A pattern of horizontal black bars separated by spaces. Typically, a patch code is placed near the top center of a paper document to be scanned and used as a document separator.
PDF417		PDF417 is a variable length, two-dimensional, stacked symbology that can store up to 1850 printable ASCII characters in text compaction mode or 1100 binary characters per symbol in byte compaction mode. PDF417 is designed with selectable levels of error correction. Its high data capacity can be helpful in applications where a large amount of data must travel with a labeled document or item.
Postnet		The Postnet (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) is a fixed length symbology (5, 6, 9, or 11 characters) which uses constant bar and space width. Information is encoded by varying the bar height between the two values. Postnet barcodes are placed on the lower right of envelopes or postcards, and are used to expedite the processing of mail with automatic equipment and provide reduced postage rates.
QRCode		QR Code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode. The barcode has 3 large squares (registration marks) in the corners which define the top of the barcode. The black and white squares in the area between the registration marks are the encoded data and error correction keys. QR Codes can encode over 4000 ASCII characters.
Royal Mail		Royal Mail Barcode (RM4SCC) is a “four” state barcode symbology that is used for the Royal Mail Cleanmail service. Each character is made up of 4 bars, 2 of which extend upward, and 2 of which extend downward. The combination of the top and bottom halves gives 36 possible symbols: 10 digits and 26 letters.
UPC-A		The UPC-A barcode is EAN 13 barcode with the ‘0’ first character. UPC-A is a barcode symbology that is widely used in the United States and other countries for tracking trade items in stores.
UPC-E		The UPC-E barcode is a shortened version of UPC-A barcode. It compresses the data characters and the checksum into six characters. This barcode is ideal for small packages because it is the smallest barcode.