^DF
Download FormatPreview: partialStores a named ZPL template on the printer so later labels can recall its layout and provide only variable data.
Syntax
^DFd:o.xParameters
| Parameter | Description and accepted values | If omitted |
|---|---|---|
| d:o.x | Device, stored format name and extension.Device, name and .ZPL extension for the stored format | R:FORMAT.ZPL |
How it works
^DF assigns a name to a stored format. The printer retains the template under that name, including its field positions and ^FN placeholders, for a later ^XF recall.
The stored format is not a printable label on its own. The preview recognizes it as template structure, omits its blank page and expands it when a matching recall appears in the same paste.
Use a clear device, name and extension, then manage the printer's persistent memory deliberately. A browser preview cannot prove that a template sent in an earlier job still exists on a physical printer.
Example
^XA
^DFR:RECIPIENT.ZPL^FS
^PW320^LL200^FO40,60^A0N,30,30^FN1^FS
^XZ
^XA
^FN1^FDRecipient^FS
^XFR:RECIPIENT.ZPL^FS
^XZRendering…
How the preview on this site handles it
The preview expands a ^DF template only when its matching ^XF and data fields are present in the same pasted document. It does not emulate persistent printer storage between jobs.
Common mistakes
- Expecting the ^DF definition to print a blank page.
- Recalling a format that was never downloaded to this printer.
- Reusing a stored name without controlling which template is already in printer memory.