Create Barcodes in Excel

This easy to use add-in for Excel 365 creates all common linear barcode types directly in your sheet. Simply select the source data, choose barcode type, size and placement and convert your data to barcodes in a single click.

Installing the barcode fonts and add-in

Close Excel before proceeding. Please note that the Barcode Add-In requires Excel 365.

Using the demo

Download - The demo is fully functional but will only create Code 39. After downloading, proceed to next step, "Installing".

Using the full version

Buy now - You will receive a download link directly after check-out. After downloading, proceed to next step, "Installing".

Installing

Unzip the downloaded archive by right-clicking and selecting Extract all from the context menu. Then, open the folder Fonts.
Excel 365 Barcode Add-In
In the folder select all available fonts (the demo will only come with the Code 39 font).

Right-click for context menu and select Install. This will install the barcode fonts on your PC. You may be prompted for an administrator password.
Excel 365 Barcode Font
Next, go back to the parent folder and double-click setup.exe. Follow the instructions on your screen. This will install the Barcode Add-In on your PC.

Verifying the installation

Launch Excel and in the ribbon switch to the Add-Ins tab.

You should see the Barcode Add-In pane:
Excel 365 Barcode Add-In Ribbon
Click the Info button and verify that the barcode fonts are listed. If you are running the demo of the Barcode AddIn, the dialog will only list the Code 39 font.
Excel 365 Barcode Add-In Installed Barcode Fonts

Creating a single barcode in Excel

We begin by inserting a single barcode into the sheet:

  1. Select the cells you want to convert into barcodes
  2. In the Add-ins tab, locate the Softmatic add-in panel
  3. Click the Create Barcode button
  4. In the dialog, select the barcode type and size
  5. Next, choose the barcode placement and the size of the text under the code
  6. Finally, click Ok to insert the barcodes into your sheet

Let's look into the individual steps in more detail:

In cell A1, enter the value 1000. Hit <Enter>, then click into the cell to select it.

Next, click the Create Barcode button to open the barcode creation dialog:

Create a single barcode in Excel
The add-in defaults to Code 128 (Demo: Code 39) and placement of the code into the cell right to the source data. Leave all settings at default and click Ok.

You should see a barcode in cell B1.
Excel cell with Code 128 barcode

Creating a barcode sequence in Excel

Next, let's create a barcode sequence in Excel. Using auto-fill, create a list of numbers, starting with 100000 and incrementing by one. Make sure to select the generated numbers.

Next, click the Create Barcode button to open the barcode creation dialog:
Excel Sequential Barcode Series
Again, we'll be creating Code 128 (Demo: Code 39). Adjust the size to your liking, you can also experiment with the human readable text that goes under the barcode.
This time we don't need the original numbers anymore so we select Overwrite source cell in the Position pane.

Clicking Ok overwrites the original sequence with barcodes:
Excel Sequential Code 128 Series

Excel Add-In Supported Barcode Symbologies

The current version of the barcode add-in (V5) supports the following barcode types:
  This table lists the requirements for the different types with regard to check digit calculation, encoded data and size:

SymbologyDataCheck digitRemarks
EAN 87 or 8 digitsalwaysUse size 36pt. with EAN Red., 72pt with EAN Standard

See Excel EAN Barcodes...
EAN 1312 or 13 digitsalwaysUse size 36pt. with EAN Red., 72pt with EAN Standard

See Excel EAN Barcodes...
UPC-A11 or 12 digitsalwaysUse size 36pt. with UPC Red., 72pt with UPC Standard

See Excel UPC Barcodes...
Code 128Digits, letters, special chars (max. 40 chars)alwaysAutomatic selection of Code 128 sub types A, B, C

Recommended size: 24pt. or higher

See Excel Code 128 Barcodes...
Code 128 GS1/EAN/UCCDigits, letters, parenthesized application identifier (max. 40 chars)alwaysAutomatic selection of Code 128 sub types A, B, C

Enter your data including application identifiers, e.g. (01)1234567890. The software will automatically insert all required FNC1 symbols.

Recommended size: 24pt. or higher

See Excel Code 128 GS1 Barcodes...
Code 2/5 InterleavedDigits 0-9 (max. 40 digits) optionalRecommended size: 24pt. or higher
Code 2/5 IndustrialDigits 0-9 (max. 40 digits)optionalRecommended size: 24pt. or higher
Code 39 / 39 ExtendedDigits, letters (max. 40 chars)optionalAutomatic selection of Code 39 / Code 39 Extended

Recommended size: 24pt. or higher

Excel Barcode Add-In Miscellaneous