Chapter 5:
Uploading Data
If you are ready to upload data, we assume you have established correct communication between your TriCoder and host and have
collected some sample data, preferably using the Default Program #0 or Sample Program #1 Tutorials. By default, the TriCoder
uploads using a
Carriage Return Separated
format. For many users, the default file format works fine, but others may require more
complex or even custom upload file formats. By default, the TriCoder transmits it‟s data in the following order:
ID +
data
+ Checksum chs + Terminator
You should keep the above order in mind when determining how to upload your data. Before we actually upload any data, lets discuss
some of the most common file formats.
Uploading into Excel®
If you are planning to upload your data into an Excel worksheet, you should consider using our
KwikCount/EX
™ program.
KwikCount/EX
is an Excel add-in that makes updating worksheets faster and easier. If you are trying to update several columns of
data, need accumulation or subtraction functions, or are using the TriCoder for physical inventory, you should definitely look into
using
KwikCount/EX
.
KwikCount/EX
is free with any TriCoder purchase and is available on the Utilities CD-ROM that came with your TriCoder. You can
also find more information on
KwikCount/EX
at
http://www.barcodehq.com/kwikcountex.html
.
File Formats
The program you are using to process your data will determine what format the uploaded file needs to use. There are several
commonly used formats –
Carriage Return separated
,
Comma separated;
and
Flat File
formats. By default, the TriCoder uploads
using the
CR (Carriage Return) separated
format. We will cover each format in order of ease of use, with the default uploading
format first.
Carriage Return Separated Files
By default, the TriCoder uploads its data in the following format:
DATA(
CR
)
11111111
DATA(
CR
)
data looks like:
22222222
DATA(
CR
)
33333333
This format is called
Carriage Return separated.
Each piece of data is followed by a
Carriage Return
(or
Carriage Return/ Line
Feed
if Serial Interface), causing each piece of data to appear on a separate line. The TriCoder does this by using the
Terminator
Character
. The
Terminator Character
is the character that follows each piece of data either when the TriCoder is uploaded or when
data is transmitted in NON PORTABLE mode. The default
Terminator Character
for a keyboard wedge is
CR
(carriage return) and
CR/LF
(carriage return/line feed) for a serial interface.
To upload the TriCoder with a
Carriage Return delimited
file, simply leave the
Terminator Character
set to the default settings and
upload the TriCoder.
