CommandsSystem configuration
^CT - Change Tilde
Changes the tilde (~) control command prefix to another character
^CT - Change Tilde
Overview
The ^CT / ~CT command changes the control instruction prefix from its default tilde (~) character to any other ASCII character. This allows customization of the command syntax for specialized applications or to avoid conflicts with data content.
Syntax
^CTa
~CTaParameters
- a = ASCII character to use as new prefix
- Default: Tilde (~)
- Can be any single ASCII character
Description
- Changes tilde (~) command prefix to custom character
- Allows avoiding conflicts with data containing tilde
- Affects all control commands from that point forward
- Can be combined with ^CC to change both prefixes
- Useful for specialized applications
Usage Notes
- Must be enclosed within format brackets (^XA and ^XZ)
- Can be combined with ^CC to change both prefixes
- Use with caution as it affects all subsequent commands
- Must be set early in format for full effect
- Change persists until another ^CT is encountered
Prefix Characters
Common alternatives:
!- Exclamation mark#- Hash/pound%- Percent&- Ampersand:- Colon@- At sign
Examples
Change to Exclamation Mark
^XA
^CT!
!A0N,30,30
!FDTEXT^FS
^XZChanges tilde prefix to !, so !A0 is used instead of ~A0.
Change to Percent Sign
^XA
^CT%
%A0N,30,30
%FDTEXT^FS
^XZChanges tilde prefix to %.
Change Both Carat and Tilde
^XA
^CC+
^CT!
+A0N,30,30
!FDTEXT^FS
^XZChanges ^ to + and ~ to !.
When to Use
Data Contains Tilde
If your data naturally contains tilde characters, change the prefix:
^XA
^CT%
^FO50,50
^A0N,30,30
^FDPrice: $19.99 ~ Limited Time~FS
^XZData Contains Both ^ and ~
Change one or both prefixes:
^XA
^CC/
^CT!
/FO50,50
!A0N,30,30
/FDURL: http://example.com~FS
^XZImportant Considerations
Changes Affect All Commands
^XA
^CT! ; Change prefix to !
!A0N,30,30 ; Now use ! instead of ~
!FD...^FS ; All commands use new prefix
^XZPersistence
- Change affects all subsequent commands
- Until another ^CT or end of job
- Use with care in large batches
Related Commands
^CC- Change Carat^FX- Comment^FS- Field Separator