Label Mix HomePage PolyText Object

A PolyText (or Composite text) object is similar to text object, except it has additional provision for combining multiple strings, each with a different text format. PolyText object can be used to display text information in several ways. PolyText object can simply displays text of different formats or/and can be linked to a database so the text is pulled from a database field.
Label's PolyText Object PolyText object example
The real power of PolyText object comes into play when you are mail merging data from the database.
For example, designing and printing postal mail address labels. Using PolyText, you can combine several data fields into a single text line, including spaces between the data. Another instance is using PolyText to join several strings to create a complex Barcode.

Example 1: Using PolyText for mail merging
This example uses PolyText objects linked to table data fields from database. It demonstrates how to use PolyText to combine several strings into one single line: Title Surname Name. 

Step 1. Create a new label (or open an existing one).
Step 2. Select and insert one PolyText object onto the label.
Step 3. In the Object Properties Inspector, click Edit PolyText to activate the Compound Text properties editor of the PolyText

To join Title Surname Name into a single text line, you will need to add five items - three for the text and two for the spaces between them.
Example: Using PolyText for Mail MergStep 4.
Add the first item (text1). Check the Database box, to link the item  to database with the necessary field - Title. Set the item's font, color, size etc.

Step 5.
Add the second item (text2). The item will be for space, so do NOT link the item to database.
In the Text box, click your keyboard space bar. This is for space between the first and third items.

Step 6.
Add the third item (text3). Check the Database box, to link the item to database with the necessary field - FirstName. Set the item's font, color, size etc.

Repeat Steps 4, 5 for field LastName

Postal Mail Address LabelTo complete the example, since we are creating postal mail address label, we will need to add other necessary information: Zip code, City, State and Country - each per line. To accomplish this, simply repeat Step 2. thru Step 4.

Notes:
1. Space, punctuations (comma, semicolon, full stop etc.) must be represented by their own separate items and should not be linked to the database.
2. The Format box can be used to enter special format strings, for example, when displaying prices, dates, etc. as explained in Special Text DisplayFormats. 

Why and When use Polytext object?
In the example above, because the length of each address (receiver) line data (title, surname, name) varies for each contact in the database, they will overlap in the label print if you use several simple Text objects. You will encounter the same problem if you use simple Text objects for City, State, Country placed next to each other horizontally (in a single line). If you are not joining two or more data fields to form a single line, then you should use simple Text objects linked to database/table/fields.

Example 2: Using PolyText to generate complex Barcode
Another example of using Polytext object is creating barcode that consists of several strings.

Step 1. Create a new label (or open an existing one).
Step 2. Select and insert one PolyText object onto the label.
Step 3. In the Object Properties Inspector, check the property Barcode ?
Step 4. In the Object Properties Inspector, from the BarCode Type drop-down list, select the type of barcode. EAN128A, for this example. see barcode types
Step 5. If necessary, check the Show Number and Checksum boxes.
Step 6. Click Edit PolyText to activate the Compound Text properties editor of the PolyText

Create EAN-128 FNC1 BarcodesStep 7.
Add the first item (text1). If you want to use data from database, then check the Database box, to link the item to database with the necessary field - BATCH№. If necessary, set the item's font, color, size etc.

Step 8.
Add the second item (text2). If you want to use data from database, then check the Database box, to link the item to database with the necessary field - EXPIRATIONDATE. If necessary, set the item's font, color, size, background color etc.

To generate an EAN128 code we must assign the AI (application identifiers) corresponding to each of the parts of the code (e.g. the AI for batch number, BATCH№, is 10 and the expiration date on 17. In our example the date is expressed in the form YYMMDD, so you apply that format).
The final result of combining the strings will be a barcode (picture below) from Barcode Type indicated in Step 4.
EAN128 barcode example
Suggested reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code-128

PolyText object properties
Using the Object Properties Inspector, you can edit other properties of PolyText.
Top Coordinate x is horizontal reference point for the object from insertion point. The object is aligned to this point using the current alignment mode.
Left Coordinate y The vertical reference point for the object from insertion point. The object is aligned to this point using the current alignment mode.
Color Text font color.  Click on the Color bar to change.
Print Check (mark, tick) the box if you want to print the content of the object in the final label design printout.
Background Fills the background of the object with selected color. Transparent property must be unchecked for the background color property to take effect. By default, the background color is white. Click on the Color bar to change to necessary color.
Transparent Must be unchecked to make the object's background color affective.
Angle Angle of inclination. Can be selected from drop-down list of values: 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
Edit Polytext Click the icon to open the Compound Text editor - to add the list of strings (items) that form the polytext.
Barcode ? Check to use the PolyText object as barcode. Several PolyText object properties only take effect if this option is enabled.
Factor Relationship between the width of normal and wide bars in barcode. The range of values ​​that can be assigned depends on the type of code. see barcode types and dimensions
Bar Width Width of bar code in millimeters (or applicable unit of measurement). see barcode types and dimensions
Distance Separation between the digits of the barcode when viewed (Show Number property must be checked). see barcode types and dimensions
Bar Height Height of bar code under the current unit of measure. see barcode types and dimensions
L. Margin Space added to the left and right of the barcode bars. see barcode types and dimensions
T. Margin Space added above and below the barcode bars. see barcode types and dimensions
Show Number When checked, the raw data from which the barcode has been generated will be displayed below the barcode bars.
Checksum Check (select, mark, tick) to compute the final control digit for the barcode. See barcode types
Barcode Type Drop-down list of available types of barcode. Each bar code has its limitations on the length and type of characters to use. see barcode types 
TextAlign
Text Object property: align text The point from which to draw the text, there are nine possible positions. This point is indicated with the coordinates X1 and Y1 (i.e. Top and Left). Text Object property: AlignText example