Barcodes are essential tools for product and inventory management in modern business environments. Excel is widely used for data management and analysis, and it can also be used to create barcodes. This introduction explains how to create barcodes using Excel. Creating barcodes in Excel lets you manage product information efficiently, and scanning barcodes allows you to quickly enter or look up data. This can streamline a variety of business processes, including inventory management, sales tracking, and customer management. Now, let’s look at the specific methods and tools needed to create barcodes in Excel.
Types of Barcodes
There are many types of barcodes commonly encountered in everyday life, each with its own structure, purpose, and use. Barcodes are not only used for payment when making purchases; they are also unique numbers essential for production, distribution, and analysis.
Although five major types of barcodes can be identified, more than 100 barcode formats are actually in use.
Below is an online site that creates many types of barcode formats.
- UPC (Universal Product Code)
: This is the most commonly used barcode in the United States and Canada. It consists of 12 digits and is used to identify consumer products at the point of sale. - EAN (European Article Number)
: This barcode is similar to UPC but is mainly used in Europe. It consists of 13 digits and is used to identify consumer products. - Code 39
: This barcode is commonly used in logistics and inventory management. It can encode both letters and numbers and is often used to label products and packages. - Code 128
: This barcode is used to encode large amounts of data, such as serial numbers and product codes. It can encode both numbers and letters and is commonly used in logistics and supply chain management. - QR Code (Quick Response Code)
: This is a two-dimensional barcode that can store much more information than traditional barcodes. It is often used in marketing and advertising because it can be scanned with a smartphone to access websites, videos, and other digital content.
Create Barcodes in Excel
One way to convert a barcode managed as a 12-digit number into a barcode format like those shown above is to use an Excel font.
The following are two representative barcode fonts you can use in Excel.
Libre Barcode 128 Text Download (PC / Mac)
Libre Barcode 39 Text Download (PC / Mac)
Excel Barcode (Libre Barcode 128)
To explain a barcode conversion example, I downloaded the Libre Barcode 128 Text font for Excel.
After the download is complete, you can find the font in the Excel Font list as shown below.
As a result, you can use the Excel barcode font above to convert numbers into barcode format in Excel, as shown below.
The Excel number formats for converting to barcodes can be explained in the following three types.
- Type 1
: An asterisk (*) is placed before and after the 12-digit number. This has the advantage of also being usable with Libre Barcode 39. - Type 2
: The 12-digit number is entered in NUMBER format. In this case, all 12 digits can be displayed below the barcode. - Type 3
: The 12-digit number is entered in TEXT format. Because the actual barcode number is entered as text, the full number does not need to be displayed and can be hidden.
The recommended method is to use asterisks (*) as shown below.
The formula used is shown below. Since the barcode is created by setting the font, there is nothing special about the formula.
Conclusion
Converting text to barcodes using Excel fonts offers several benefits.
- You can convert data to barcodes in Excel without the inconvenience of using another program.
: Excel is widely used software, and converting text to barcodes with installed fonts is relatively easy. This means users can create barcodes without learning a new program or purchasing expensive software. - You can modify all barcode formatting in Excel.
: Excel lets users customize the size, color, and other properties of barcode fonts. This enables users to create barcodes that meet their specific needs. - You can convert data into multiple barcode formats.
: Excel can be used to create various types of barcodes, including UPC, EAN, Code 39, and Code 128. This makes it a versatile tool for businesses and individuals who need to create barcodes for different purposes. - It is the most cost-effective method.
: Because Excel is widely used, most users already have it installed on their computers. This means they can create barcodes without purchasing expensive software or hardware.
Related Functions
Creating barcodes with Excel is a useful way to significantly improve efficiency in business operations. Barcodes simplify product management and inventory tracking, help reduce data-entry errors, and save time. Through this process, users can easily create barcodes by using Excel’s basic features and gain practical benefits in a variety of business environments. In conclusion, learning how to create barcodes in Excel is an important step in improving product management efficiency and strengthening competitiveness. Continue using these techniques to optimize your business processes.