From the All tools menu, select Prepare a form.
Last updated on
Sep 23, 2025
Learn how to customize barcode fields in Acrobat to optimize data encoding and layout.
You can have barcode fields include more data and optimize encoding. Learn to add fields, use JavaScript for calculations, and adjust settings for efficient, accurate barcodes.
Include more data fields in the barcode
Double-click the barcode field.
In the Value tab:
- If Encode using is selected, select Pick, and select additional form fields to be encoded.
- If Custom calculation script is selected, select Edit, and add JavaScript to include the additional fields.
Tip
After adding new data fields, test sample data to ensure the barcode area is large enough. If the barcode area is grayed out, adjust the barcode size or text field properties so the content fits.
Adjust data content to fit in a barcode field
Double-click the barcode field to access the setting options.
In the Options tab, make the following adjustments as required:
- Select Custom and enter lower values for Error Correction Level and Y/X Ratio.
- Select a different Symbology option.
- If you are using an Adobe software decoder (available separately), go to the Options tab and select Compress Data Before Encoding to Barcode.
In the Value tab, make the following adjustments as required:
- Select Tab Delimited rather than XML as the data-encoding format, as XML requires more area for encoding.
- In the Options tab, select a different Symbology option.
- Select Pick and deselect any fields that don't need encoding.
- Enter a custom script to convert user-entered text to all lowercase or all uppercase during encoding.
Note
The National Association of Computerized Tax Processors (NACTP) guidelines, used by the United States Internal Revenue Service and state tax agencies, recommend using all uppercase characters for 2D barcode data.
To reduce the barcode size, double-click the barcode field, go to the Value tab, and add a script that limits input to alphanumeric characters and either all uppercase or all lowercase letters.
Tip
For efficiency, consider adding extra barcode fields and mapping different data to each.
