Code 128 Barcode Generator Excel

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Creating personal catalogs and barcodes is used while accounting in your trade business. There are scanners for their subsequent reading. And you can create with the help of software products developed specifically for Excel. And they can be created with the help of software products developed specifically for Excel.

This Native Barcode Generator provides barcoding capability to Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets with an embedded VBA macro, making it easy to distribute without needing to distribute additional fonts or other components. Four image types are available including EPS and 1 bpp BMP. The easiest component to use for generating 2D barcodes in Excel is the Linear + 2D Barcode ActiveX Control.This component can be dropped into a particular cell on a template to generate dynamic barcodes, or used individually in spreadsheets to generate static barcodes.

How to make a bar code in Excel?

You can create a barcode generator in Excel in many ways: using a macro, ActiveX tool and developed modules. Consider the example of one of the specialized products. It is absolutely free. Therefore, it is impossible to appraise this article as an advertising one.

The easiest way is to install the barcode fonts in Windows and then they will be available in Excel in the 'Home' - 'Font' panel.

A couple of barcode fonts can be downloaded at the end of the article.

You can also download this add-on go to http://www.idautomation.com/font-encoders/word-excel-addin/ for adding barcodes in Excel or Word.

Make sure that Visual Basic is available in Excel before you begin. And all restrictions for macros are removed in the security settings.

  1. Go to http://www.idautomation.com/font-encoders/vba-macro/. In the list of free products find 'VBA Macros for Excel & Access'.
  2. Click on the link and download the product to your computer.
  3. The program is downloaded as the archive. Unzip the file named 'BarcodeFunctions.zip'.
  4. Press Alt + F11 at the same time to open the Visual Basic editor. In the top box click the “File” button. We need to import (CTRL+M) the code downloaded from the Internet.
  5. Find the downloaded file. In the Windows VBA folder select IDAutomation.bas. The imported module adds fonts and functions to the Excel workbook to convert a set of numbers and letters into a barcode.
  6. After import it appears in the 'Modules' folder.
  7. Then you need to exit the Visual Basic editor. Enter the test code in the first cell of the page. In cell A2 enter a test code (for example, 11223344) and click 'DEVELOPER' - 'Macros'.
  8. In the menu that appears, select the macro to generate the 8-digit barcode and press 'execute'.

The next step is to print the barcode from Excel to verify the correct encoding. That is, you can print the codes only when special fonts are used.

Another way to form a barcode is to write a macro (implemented here).

You need to do the following to add a barcode to Excel 2007:

  1. Click the 'FILE' - 'Options' button. In the main parameters - check 'Customize Ribbon'-«DEVELOPER» tab on the band.
  2. The «DEVELOPER» tab. We find the button 'Insert' - 'ActiveX'. Choose 'Other'.
  3. Find Stroke Scribe Object in the menu that appears. Click OK. Draw a rectangle with the mouse anywhere on the page.
  4. A barcode appears. Open the right-click menu. “Properties”. Alphabet is using to select the type of barcode.

You need to write a macro if you want the drawn code becomes operational (adapt according to the inputted user digits).

How to connect a bar code to Excel?

The connection process depends on the scanner model and its capabilities. Sometimes you do not need to do anything. It is enough to connect the scanner to the computer using the 'keyboard connector', and open the Excel workbook (the USB driver of the scanner must be installed).

The scanner does not perceive the barcode as a graphic object. It converts it into a set of numbers. During operation the numeric value read by the device. After this, it’s inserted into the active cell and a line conversion is worked out. The detector sends an 'Enter' character, which causes the cursor to go to the next line.

A big number of scanner models work like a keyboard. The data immediately goes into the active cell of the sheet when you enter the code.

A number of devices require a special add-on: the standard menu does not cope with the task.

Multipart article

Using Excel as a barcode formulator and to translate numbers and letters into barcodes can aid in your business’s inventory management and barcode management processes. Learn how to create barcodes in Excel with this step-by-step guide.

Included on this page, you’ll learn how to create a barcode in Excel step-by-step, how to generate random barcodes, types of barcodes and barcode fonts, and which versions of Excel support barcode creation.

How to Make a Barcode in Excel

First, you’ll need to download a barcode font. The most common font — and the one we’ll use in this tutorial — is code 39 (more on that in this section of the article). You can download a version of the font from a number of places, including Dafont, Free Barcode Font, ID Automation, or Square Gear. Once you download the font, follow Microsoft’s instructions on how to install a font for Office to get it working with your version of Excel.
Below are a couple of notes about installing fonts:

  • You may need to quit and restart Excel for the font to appear in your font list.
  • Not all fonts work perfectly for all OSs and versions of Excel. If one doesn’t operate well, delete it and try another.
  • Code39 has worked best during the research for this article

Creating a Barcode in Excel

Once you install the font, it’s easy to create barcodes in Excel. Simply follow the steps below.

Step One: Create two columns in a blank spreadsheet.

Code 128 Barcode Generator Free Excel

Title the columns Text and Barcode.

Place the alphanumeric data in the Text column (this is the basis for the barcodes). The barcodes will appear in the Barcode column.

Note: If you want to add a description of each item the barcode applies to, add additional columns to make a table-like layout.

Step Two: Format the cells in the Text column.

Select the Text column, then right-click on it. Click Format Cells, click Number, click Text. This will prevent larger numbers from displaying in scientific notation as well as preserving leading zeros.

Step Three: Enter the following formula: ='*'&A2&'*' in the first blank row of the Barcode column.

In this step, we’re assuming that the cell in the Text column is A2; if not, adjust the formula accordingly. If you there’s no text in the first column, the second column will display two asterisks.

Step Four: Fill the Barcode column down.

Step Five: Change the font in the Barcode column.

From the font menu, select the downloaded and installed barcode font. It’s a good idea to use the same font for the header row as you do for the rest of the spreadsheet, but that’s up to you.

Step Six: Enter alphanumeric data into the Text column.

The Code 39 font can encode 1-9, A-Z (the font considers uppercase and lowercase the same), the en dash (-), dollar sign ($), percent sign (%) period (.), slash (/), plus (+), and a space. The font also encodes the asterisk (*), which is used as an indicator for the beginning and end of the sequence (this is also why the formula in Step Three adds an asterisk before and after the text entered). The Barcode row will automatically populate with barcodes.

Benefits of Creating Barcodes in Excel

While creating barcodes in Excel will work well for many, doing so may not be scalable. However, the process is an easy and inexpensive way to do the following:

  • Print product numbers or UPC codes.
  • Produce a product catalog or product list.
  • Track stocked items.

All of these capabilities are extremely useful in inventory management.

How to Generate Random Barcodes in Excel

You can use the RANDBETWEEN Excel function for barcodes that require random numbers. Follow the steps below to automatically create random numbers for barcodes.

Note: If you changed the column to text format (see Step Two in the Creating a Barcode in Excel section), change it back to General.

  1. Enter the RANDBETWEEN Excel function. In the first cell of the Text column, enter =RANDBETWEEN(X,Y), where X is the lowest value and Y the highest. For example, =RANDBETWEEN(100,500) will generate random numbers between 100 and 500.
  2. Fill down the row to generate random barcode numbers. Each cell will have a random number in the specified range.

What Versions of Excel Can Make Barcodes?

Excel

The 2010, 2013, and 2016 versions of Microsoft Excels can make barcodes. Some older versions may also be able to make barcodes with a supported add-in. This includes those released in 2003 and 2007.

Types of Barcodes and Barcode Fonts

In addition to Code 39, there are a number of other barcodes available, including the following:

  • Code 128: This code is generally used for shipping and supply chain labels. It can encode the same set of characters as Code 39 (though uppercase and lowercase letters can appear differently). There is no length restriction.
  • UPC/EAN: This is the barcode most people are familiar with because it’s used for product barcodes. UPC stands for Universal Product Code; EAN for European Article Numbering. The barcode is also known as UPC-A and is restricted to 12 characters.
  • I2of5: This is a two row barcode that’s used on rolls of 35mm film, and to label some cartons. It’s also known as industrial 2 of 5 or interleaved 2 of 5, and encodes numeric characters.
  • UPC-E: This is a variation of a UPC barcode where certain characters (e.g., leading zeros) are omitted, in order to keep the code to six digits.
  • QR: This 2D barcode can be used to open a website or app when scanned with a mobile phone camera. These barcodes are usually used for a printed ticket, to provide a discount, or for mobile payment. The barcode can encode alphanumeric, binary, and kanji. QR stands for Quick Response.
  • Postnet: Formerly used by the U.S. Postal Service, this barcode encodes numeric characters.
  • Intelligent Mail: Currently used by the U.S. Postal Service, this barcode encodes up to 65 characters. Not only do the width of the bars and spaces carry information, but so do the height and vertical location. Intelligent Mail encodes numeric characters.

What’s the Deal with Code 39?

Also called the 3 of 9 Barcode, Code 3 of 9, and Barcode39, this option is popular for the following reasons:

  • It’s well-established.
  • It encodes both numbers and letters.
  • It’s readily available for free.

Each character display appears as five bars and four spaces; three of the nine bars in the barcode will always be wider.

Creating Barcodes in Word and Other Apps

You can also create barcodes in Word, PowerPoint, Wordpad, TextEdit, and pretty much any app that allows you to change the font. Once you download the font and install it on your computer, enter the text in your program of choice and change the font to the barcode font.

How to Use Excel Barcode Fonts

Once you've created barcodes, you need to deploy them. You can print or use a barcode in a catalog and then use a scanner to retrieve the data encoded in the barcode. Scanners can be custom built or off-the-shelf, and you can also use a smartphone that has a designated scanning app.

How Excel Barcodes Work with Android, iPhone, and Macs

You can create barcodes in Excel on a Mac, just like you would on a PC. Apple’s iOS doesn’t support custom fonts, so you can’t view, edit, or create barcodes on an iPhone. An app called AllFonts claims it can get past this restriction, but we have not tested it. Android devices accept custom fonts, so you can download a barcode font to your phone and use it in the Excel app to view, edit, and create barcodes using the same steps above.

Free Barcode Download For Excel

How to Create a Barcode in Excel 2007

Download and install a barcode font. Create two rows (Text and Barcode) in a blank Excel spreadsheet. Use the barcode font in the Barcode row and enter the following formula: ='*'&A2&'*' in the first blank row of that column. Then, fill the formula in the remaining cells in the Barcode row. The numbers/letters you place in the Text row will appear as barcodes in the Barcode row. See step-by-step instructions for Excel 2007 here.

How to Create a Barcode in Excel 2010

Code 128 Barcode Generator For Excel

Code 128 Barcode Generator Excel

Download and install a barcode font. Create two rows (Text and Barcode) in a blank Excel spreadsheet. Use the barcode font in the Barcode row and enter the following formula: ='*'&A2&'*' in the first blank row of that column. Then, fill the formula in the remaining cells in the Barcode row. The numbers/letters you place in the Text row will appear as barcodes in the Barcode row. See step-by-step instructions for Excel 2010 here.

How to Create a Barcode in Excel 2013

Download and install a barcode font. Create two rows (Text and Barcode) in a blank Excel spreadsheet. Use the barcode font in the Barcode row and enter the following formula: ='*'&A2&'*' in the first blank row of that column. Then, fill the formula in the remaining cells in the Barcode row. The numbers/letters you place in the Text row will appear as barcodes in the Barcode row. See step-by-step instructions for Excel 2013 here.

How to Create a Barcode in Excel 2016

Download and install a barcode font. Create two rows (Text and Barcode) in a blank Excel spreadsheet. Use the barcode font in the Barcode row and enter the following formula: ='*'&A2&'*' in the first blank row of that column. Then, fill the formula in the remaining cells in the Barcode row. The numbers/letters you place in the Text row will appear as barcodes in the Barcode row. See step-by-step instructions for Excel 2016 here.

Free Excel Barcode Generators

There are a number of websites that will turn alphanumeric text into barcodes. If you don’t want to use Excel, or you only need a barcode once in a while, the following sites are good options:

Code 128 Barcode Font For Excel 2010

  • Barcode.tec
  • Bartender Software
  • Cognex
  • POSGuys

Code 128 Excel Formula

How to Generate Bulk Barcodes in Excel

If you need a lot of barcodes, you can follow these steps to create them individually, but that might be arduous. Another option is to use a barcode generator add-in. You can also use the online bulk barcode generator offered by POSGuys, and then upload the barcodes to a spreadsheet.

Code 128 Excel Add In

How to Use a Barcode Scanner with Excel

You can use barcode scanners with Excel to scan existing barcodes and enter the data into Excel. For example, when a shipping/receiving department gets new parts, they can scan the barcodes on each part and then enter those codes into a Received Parts spreadsheet.

The second way is to use a scanner to scan the barcodes created in Excel via the steps outlined in this article. You can then enter them into a database or other system.

Using Third-Party Excel Barcode Add-Ins and Software

An add-in is a software package that allows you to extend Excel’s (as well as other Office applications) functionality. You can use Excel barcode add-ins to create individual barcodes, lists, or tables, and to set parameters. Below are some examples of add-ins that can help create barcodes:

  • TBar: This is an Excel add-in that can create a single barcode, as well as lists and tables. The add-in allows for direct insertion into cells, and dynamically links to other spreadsheet data. You can also customize the parameters of the barcodes, including height, width, and check digits.
  • Barcode Resource Encoder: This standalone software package interfaces with Excel and uses macros to create barcodes.
  • ConnectCode: This is a standalone software package to create barcodes.

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