Scan composite codes

Composite codes are combinations of a linear (1d) barcode and a 2d code. The linear component encodes the item’s primary identification. The 2d component describes additional data like a batch number or expiration date.

The Scandit SDK version 4.14 or newer supports all GS1 Composite Codes as defined in ISO/IEC 24723:2010. The specification defines three different types; A, B and C.

The 1d component of a composite A or B code can be any of the following symbologies:

  • EAN/UPC symbology (EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, or UPC-E)
  • GS1-128 (Code 128)
  • Any member of the GS1 DataBar family Version C supports GS1-128 as the linear component only.

The 2d component of a composite code is either a PDF417 or a MicroPDF417.

Enable composite codes in the SDK

  • Enable all 1d symbologies required by the desired composite code type (see above).
  • Enable the required 2d symbology supported by the composite type (PDF417 or MicroPDF417).
  • Set the number of codes to scan in a frame to 2.

Accumulate scan results until a 1d and a 2d code were scanned that fulfill the following conditions:

  1. EAN/UPC or GS1-128 code with the composite flag set to unknown or linked or a GS1 DataBar code with the composite flag set to linked.
  2. A PDF417 or MicroPDF417 code with the composite flag set to GS1_A, GS1_B or GS1_C.

Concatenate the results from the linear and the 2d code into one valid GS1 encoded result.

GS1 128 Composite Code

GS1 Composite Code A (CC-A)

  • Extends a linear GS1 barcode using an additional MicroPDF417 code.
  • Optimized to use as little space as possible.
  • Only a special set of MicroPDF417 column, row and error correction level combinations can be used.
  • Data is encoded in a special base 928 compaction mode.
  • Three column version has no left row address patterns.
GS1 128 Composite Code

GS1 Composite Code B (CC-B)

  • Extends a linear GS1 barcode using an additional MicroPDF417 code.
  • A subset of the MicroPDF417 column and row combinations can be used.
  • Marked by the (Micro)PDF417 symbol 920 at the first position.
  • (Micro)PDF417 data is encoded in byte compaction mode.
GS1 128 Composite Code

GS1 Composite Code C (CC-C)

  • Extends a GS1-128 (Code 128) barcode using an additional PDF417 code.
  • Same encoding as CC-B.
Copyright (C) 2025 Scandit AG