Using Postal Bar Codes in Publisher

[Matrix]

I'm using Publisher 2003 and have yet to discover a way to include zip plus 9 postal bar codes in a Publisher mail merge. I can easily do this with Word, just not in Publisher. Any tips, suggestions, tricks? Right now I create the newsletter in PUblisher, then go print labels in work from my date sources, then hand apply the labels to the newsletter for mass mailing. There has to be an easier way

Thanks for any tips you can provice.

 

[Mike Koewler]

Matrix,

AFAIK, there is no such thing as Zip+Nine. A postal barcode contains the
nine digit zip code, a two digit county (or area) code and a check digit.

Next, in order to get discounts from the USPO, you have to submit
documentation that your address are correct, or fall within certain
parameters. The software to do this ranges from shareware to hundreds of
dollars per year.

Depending on the software, it will generate a 12 digit code, usually in
the form of /123456789012/ if the address range is valid. If not, you
have to correct it.
You insert this field into your mailmerge (it has to be 12 point type,
at least for Periodicals) and you change the font to a bar code font,
not just any one, but one the Post Office accepts. Some of these are
free or shareware, every program I have used includes a bar code.

Ed Bennet has a FAQ about this on his site.

Mike

 

[Mike Koewler]

Matrix,

AFAIK, there is no such thing as Zip+Nine. A postal barcode contains the
nine digit zip code, a two digit county (or area) code and a check digit.

Next, in order to get discounts from the USPO, you have to submit
documentation that your address are correct, or fall within certain
parameters. The software to do this ranges from shareware to hundreds of
dollars per year.

Depending on the software, it will generate a 12 digit code, usually in
the form of /123456789012/ if the address range is valid. If not, you
have to correct it.
You insert this field into your mailmerge (it has to be 12 point type,
at least for Periodicals) and you change the font to a bar code font,
not just any one, but one the Post Office accepts. Some of these are
free or shareware, every program I have used includes a bar code.

Ed Bennet has a FAQ about this on his site.

Mike

 

[Matrix]

I figured it out...finally!! (with help from a comment
that Mike Koewler made in a similar posting) Sorry for
taking up the bandwidth.
================================================
Details:
The trick is to include another column of data in your
data source, such as an Excel spreadsheet, that contains
the numberic value of the zip+9 data, but with the "-" and
any spaces removed.

Then use that column of data as line 1 for your address
data in the Publisher document. See example below. Be sure
to not use the 'address block' feature in the Publisher
mail merge, instead create a text box for the address
data, and into the text box insert mail merge fields.

zip+4 numeric data field with no "-" included
Title: :First name: :last name
street address
city:, :st: :zip+4 numeric data field including the "-"

Now apply a font to the first line of the address
information that will make it display and print as a bar
code. I happened to use the Lotus Postal Bar Code font
that was already on my system and it works like a charm.

-----Original Message-----
I'm using Publisher 2003 and have yet to discover a way

to include zip plus 9 postal bar codes in a Publisher mail
merge. I can easily do this with Word, just not in
Publisher. Any tips, suggestions, tricks? Right now I
create the newsletter in PUblisher, then go print labels
in work from my date sources, then hand apply the labels
to the newsletter for mass mailing. There has to be an
easier way!

 

[Matrix]

I figured it out...finally!! (with help from a comment
that Mike Koewler made in a similar posting) Sorry for
taking up the bandwidth.
================================================
Details:
The trick is to include another column of data in your
data source, such as an Excel spreadsheet, that contains
the numberic value of the zip+9 data, but with the "-" and
any spaces removed.

Then use that column of data as line 1 for your address
data in the Publisher document. See example below. Be sure
to not use the 'address block' feature in the Publisher
mail merge, instead create a text box for the address
data, and into the text box insert mail merge fields.

zip+4 numeric data field with no "-" included
Title: :First name: :last name
street address
city:, :st: :zip+4 numeric data field including the "-"

Now apply a font to the first line of the address
information that will make it display and print as a bar
code. I happened to use the Lotus Postal Bar Code font
that was already on my system and it works like a charm.

-----Original Message-----
I'm using Publisher 2003 and have yet to discover a way

to include zip plus 9 postal bar codes in a Publisher mail
merge. I can easily do this with Word, just not in
Publisher. Any tips, suggestions, tricks? Right now I
create the newsletter in PUblisher, then go print labels
in work from my date sources, then hand apply the labels
to the newsletter for mass mailing. There has to be an
easier way!