Issue / Question
How to create an Autoexec.zpl file?
Applicable To
Zebra Printers that support ZPL Programming Language
Resolution / Answer
In some instances, it may become necessary or advantageous to create an AUTOEXEC.ZPL file.
An AUTOEXEC.ZPL file works in the same way as the autoexec.bat file in MS-DOS, and it can be used for setting up various parameters at the time the printer is powered up. When the printer is powered on, it checks the E: memory for a file called AUTOEXEC.ZPL. If found, the contents of the file are automatically executed.
The ZPL scripts shown below can be created and downloaded to the printer using the Zebra Setup Utilities.
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NOTE An AUTOEXEC.ZPL file cannot be used to set the Command Character (i.e ^CCx command) and only one AUTOEXEC.ZPL file can reside on the printer. |
The following are some examples AUTOEXEC.ZPL files commonly used:
To understand ZPL you can refer to the ZPL manual.
Set the Print width (^PW)
^XA ^DFE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^PW406 ^XZ
Set the Left position (^LS Label Shift)
^XA ^DFE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^LS050 ^XZ
Font Identifier (^CW)
^XA ^DFE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^CWX,E:ARIAL.FNT^FS ^XZ
Print Rate (^PR)
^XA ^DFE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^PR4 ^XZ
Printing a quantity of a canned format at power up: (100 labels will automatically print after powering up the printer.)
^XA ^DFE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^FO20,20^A0N,30,25^FDProperty of Acme Rental^FS ^FO20,60^A0N,30,25^FD847 Main Street^FS ^FO20,100^A0N,30,25^FDJupiter, FL 05002^FS ^PQ100 ^XZ
Combination of all the above to a AUTOEXEC.ZPL files:
^XA ^DFE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^PW406 ^LS050 ^PR4 ^CWX,E:ARIAL.FNT^FS ^FO20,20^AXN,30,25^FDProperty of Acme Rental^FS ^FO20,60^AXN,30,25^FD847 Main Street^FS ^FO20,100^AXN,30,25^FDJupiter, FL 05002^FS ^PQ100 ^XZ
To Delete an AUTOEXEC.ZPL file:
~JA ^XA ^IDE:AUTOEXEC.ZPL^FS ^XZ
After the printer is powered up and finishes the POST, it goes into the AUTOEXEC.ZPL routine, which might block a command to delete the AUTOEXEC.ZPL file.
The ~JA is used in the delete file sent to printer to break out of the AUTOEXEC.ZPL routine.
