Product: LABEL MATRIX
Version: All Versions
This article explains how to create and configure a Counter variable in LABEL MATRIX. Counters automatically increment or decrement values as labels are printed, making them useful for serial numbers, sequential labels, and other variable data.
Create a Counter
Assign the counter a descriptive Variable Name that identifies its purpose.
Configure the following settings:
- Start At – Specifies the initial counter value. You can also populate this value from a connected database.
- Step By – Determines how much the counter increases or decreases after each increment.
- Sample – Displays sample data within the label design so you can preview the counter before printing.
After completing these settings, your Counter configuration window should resemble the example below.
The Advanced Options window allows you to configure additional counter behavior, including:
- How many labels print before the counter increments.
- Minimum and maximum counter values.
- Additional counter behavior and reset options.
Your Advanced Options window should appear similar to the example below.
The highlighted options shown above allow you to customize how the counter behaves during and after printing.
- Choose whether LABEL MATRIX prompts you to save the updated counter value after printing.
- Specify whether the counter increments by labels, duplicates, or other supported print events.
- Determine whether the counter retains its last value or resets after printing.
After configuring these options, your label template should resemble the example shown below before continuing to the next section.
Test the Counter
The following steps demonstrate how to verify that your counter has been configured correctly and behaves as expected before printing labels.
The label should display fixed text indicating that the object is using a counter and that the counter begins at the configured starting value (for example, 1).
If you want to confirm that the counter exists or review the counters available on the label:
- Right-click the label template.
- Select Properties.
The Counter tab lists all counters defined for the current label, including the counter you just created.
From the menu bar, select Print Preview to open the Print Preview window. This allows you to simulate printing without sending labels to a printer.
Print Preview simulates the printing process, allowing you to verify that the counter increments correctly before printing actual labels.
Use the navigation arrows near the top of the Print Preview window to simulate printing additional labels. As each label advances, the counter should increment according to the settings you configured.
For a single-digit counter, the displayed value increases from 1 through 9. After reaching the maximum single-digit value, the counter returns to its starting value because only one digit has been defined.
NOTE: This behavior is expected for a single-digit counter. To continue counting beyond nine, configure the counter to use additional digits.
The following example demonstrates how a single-digit counter resets after reaching its maximum value.
Configure a Multi-Digit Counter
The following steps explain how to configure your counter so that it continues incrementing beyond a single digit.
If you want the counter to continue counting beyond a single digit, return to the counter properties to adjust its settings.
Select the Advanced button within the Counter Properties window, then change the Maximum Value to the highest value you want the counter to reach before resetting.
Increasing the maximum value allows the counter to continue incrementing through multiple digits instead of resetting after a single digit.
Return to Print Preview and advance through the label previews again.
After increasing the maximum value, the counter will continue incrementing into multiple digits instead of returning to the starting value after reaching 9.
Your Print Preview should resemble the example shown below.
Result
You have successfully created and configured a counter in LABEL MATRIX.
By adjusting the counter properties and maximum value, you can control how the counter increments during printing, allowing it to support both single-digit and multi-digit sequential numbering.
Tip: Use Print Preview to verify counter behavior before printing production labels. This helps ensure the counter increments exactly as expected and can prevent wasted labels.