WD: Alphanumeric Postal Codes Not Supported by Bar Codes Feature

ID: Q121920

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you try to insert a barcode containing alphabetic characters, the following error message is shown:

   Zip code not valid

For example, the following Canadian postal code does not generate a bar code when you use the Envelopes And Labels feature in Word or when you use the barcode field:

     V6G 2X3

CAUSE

The bar code generator in Word recognizes only numeric characters. The bar code feature in Word is based on U.S. Postal Service rules. Canadian bar codes, and other international bar codes, consist of a mix of letters and numbers.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information working with barcodes, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q105576
   TITLE     : WD: Position of Bar Code is Certified by U.S. Postal Service

   
   ARTICLE-ID: Q144608
   TITLE     : WD: Error Message In Place of BARCODE Field

   ARTICLE-ID: Q155187
   TITLE     : WD: How to Read Postal Barcodes

Additional query words: Canada Canadian barcode foreign bar code postal zip code zipcode alphanumeric

Keywords          : kbfield 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:6.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt

Last Reviewed: February 18, 1999