WD6x: Postal Bar Code Will Not Fit on Some Labels

ID: Q243233

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

SYMPTOMS

When you print addresses to mailing labels, the delivery point bar code may not print in its entirety on your label, or the option to add the bar code may not be available, as in the following cases:

Case 1: Postal Bar Code Cut Off

If you create a merge to mailing labels and insert a postal bar code, when you print your labels, the postal bar code is cut off on the right side of the label.

Case 2: Delivery Point Barcode Check Box Unavailable

If you create labels by clicking Envelopes and Labels on the Tools menu, the Delivery point barcode check box may not be available.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design in Microsoft Word. Some labels are too narrow to contain a complete postal bar code.

WORKAROUND

Use a label that is wide enough to contain the postal bar code. For example, use an address label wider than 3.25 inches.

MORE INFORMATION

When you print a postal bar code with Microsoft Word, a correctly printed 11-digit postal bar code is approximately 2.75 inches wide. When you add the postal bar code to a label that is less than 3.25 inches wide, the postal bar code may not be printed in its entirety on the mailing label. Some mailing labels (for example, Avery 5160) are too small to contain a complete 11-digit delivery point bar code.

NOTE: The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) requires an 11-digit delivery point bar code to satisfy the requirements for a discount in your mailing.

According to USPS Publication 25, the dimensions of an 11-digit delivery point bar code (62 Bars — C Prime Field) are as follows:

The distance from the leading edge of the first (leftmost) bar to the leading edge of the sixty-second (rightmost) bar should be at least 2.495 inches. The distance from the leading edge of the first bar to the trailing edge of the sixty-second bar should not exceed 3.125 inches.

For more information about business address formatting, please refer to Publication 25 and Publication 28, which can be obtained from the USPS at the following Web address:

http://www.usps.gov/cpim/buspubs.htm

Additional query words: barcode

Keywords : kbdta winword word6
Version : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb