Printronix P3000 Series - Manual (Page 85)

5–11 Vertical Format Units
Vertical Tab Positions
Vertical tab positions are assigned to a line number. A maximum of 16 vertical tab positions can be
assigned on the form. A sample format is shown in Figure 5–1. The first vertical tab is assigned line 6
for part number data, a second tab is assigned line 8 for part name data, and a third tab is assigned line
14 for quantity data.
The ESC B code is used to assign the vertical tabs to the lines of the form. Once the tab positions are
assigned, sending the vertical tab execute code (VT) causes the paper (currently at the top–of–form
position) to advance to the first tab position for PART NUMBER data. Sending another VT moves the
paper to the second tab position for PART NAME, followed by a third VT to access the third tab posi-
tion for QUANTITY data.
PART NUMBER
PART NAME
QUANTITY
Vertical Tabs
Tab 1
Form Data
Tab 2
Form Line Number
Tab 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Top of Form
20
Figure 5–1. Sample Serial Matrix Vertical Tab Positions
Executing Vertical Tabs
The vertical tab execute code is VT. When sent, it prints the contents of the print buffer (if data is in the
buffer) and causes paper movement to the next predefined vertical tab position. If a tab position is not
defined, the paper is moved to the next line at the current line spacing. If a tab position is at the current
line, the paper is moved to the next tab position. If no tab positions are defined between the current line
and the end of the form, the paper moves to the next top–of–form.