~DE - Download Encoding Table

Overview

The ~DE command downloads encoding translation tables that convert field data from various character encodings (such as JIS or Shift-JIS) to Unicode. Since TrueType Windows fonts use Unicode as their standard encoding, this translation is necessary when working with non-Unicode source data. These encoding tables are provided with ZTools for Windows and enable proper rendering of international characters with large TrueType fonts.

Syntax

~

Parameters

• n = Table name with destination
  • Format: d:TABLENAME where d is the device
  • R: = RAM Memory (volatile)
  • B: = Memory Card (non-volatile)
  • Table name: max 8 alphanumeric characters
  • Common extension: .DAT
  • Default: NO NAME (command ignored)
• s = Table size in bytes
  • Value: Number of bytes required for Zebra format
  • Default: NO VALUE (command ignored)
• DATA = ASCII hex string
  • Format: String of 2-digit hex values (1 byte = 2 hex digits)
  • Total hex digits must match Table Size parameter
  • Default: NO VALUE (command ignored)

Description

• Downloads character encoding translation tables to printer
• Converts field data from non-Unicode encodings to Unicode
• Enables proper rendering of international characters
• Required when using non-Unicode source data with TrueType fonts
• Tables provided with ZTools for Windows
• Supports both RAM and Memory Card storage

Usage Notes

• All parameters must be provided (n, s, DATA) or command is ignored
• Currently supports JIS and Shift-JIS to Unicode conversion
• Tables are provided by ZTools - should not be manually created
• The hex data size MUST exactly match Table Size parameter
• Missing any parameter causes silent failure
• Table name limited to 8 characters maximum
• Always used in conjunction with ~DU command for large fonts

Example - JIS Encoding Table

~

(Where DATA contains 27,848 two-digit hex values)

Example - Shift-JIS to Unicode

~

(Where DATA contains 31,256 two-digit hex values)

Supported Character Encodings

Data Format

• Each byte is represented by 2 hexadecimal digits
• Total characters in DATA must equal Table Size × 2
• Example: 25,000-byte table = 50,000 hex characters in DATA

Storage Options

Typical Usage Workflow

1. Determine source character encoding (e.g., Shift-JIS)
2. Download corresponding encoding table with ~DE
3. Download compatible Unicode TrueType font with ~DU
4. Use ^FD with encoded field data
5. Printer automatically converts to Unicode for rendering

ZTools Conversion Process

1. Identify character encoding of source data
2. Run ZTools for Windows
3. Select the appropriate encoding table
4. ZTools generates the complete ~DE command
5. Use the generated command exactly as output

Name Convention

• Tables often use .DAT extension (e.g., JIS.DAT, SJIS.DAT)
• Names should match the encoding (e.g., JIS, SJIS)
• Maximum 8 characters (including extension)

Related Commands

• ~DU - Download Unbounded Unicode TrueType Font (usually paired)
• ~DT - Download TrueType Font
• ~DB - Download Bitmapped Font
• ~DS - Download Scalable Font
• ^A - Scalable/Bitmapped Font (select font for use)
• ^FD - Field Data (where encoding is applied)

See Also

• Download Unbounded Unicode TrueType Font (~DU)
• Download TrueType Font (~DT)
• Field Data (^FD)