Counter

About this task

A counter is a named, persistent numeric value — for example a serial or batch number — that a coding scenario can read, and that can increment automatically on every print. Coding-scenario steps can also increment, decrement, reset, or evaluate a counter explicitly (see Coding Scenarios).

Procedure

1. In the side bar, select System Data and click Counter.
2. Click the add icon to create a new counter.
3. Enter a name for the counter.
4. Select the counter’s type:
   • Global — one shared value used everywhere.
   • Per Line — a separate value for each production line. Only available when Increment on every print is off.
   • Per Printer — a separate value for each printer. Only available when Increment on every print is on.
5. Enter the start, current, and end value (current must fall between start and end), and the counter’s length.
6. Optionally enable Daily reset (resets the value once a day), Increment on every print, and Calculate check digit at the end.
7. For a Per Line or Per Printer counter, set the start/current/end values for each line or printer individually.
8. Save the counter.

Results

The counter is available for use in a coding scenario and, if configured, increments automatically on every print.

Limitations

• A counter’s type — Global, Per Line, or Per Printer — is exclusive; values are tracked separately per line or per printer, not combined.
• Start value must not exceed end value, and the current value must fall within that range.
• Per Printer requires Increment on every print to be enabled; Per Line requires it to be disabled.
• If Daily reset is enabled but no start value is defined, a reset clears the current value instead.

What to do next

• Read or change the counter from a coding scenario — see the counter steps on the Other page.