Code 128 Barcode Generator Add-In for Excel

How to Generate & Print Code 128 Barcode in Excel Spreadsheets

• Mature Code 128 generating add-in, suitable for users of Excel 2007 & 2010
• Capable of generating Code 128 barcode in Excel with 4 directions
• Flexible to adjust properties of Code 128 in Excel, like image width & height
• Able to link cells with linear Code 128 barcodes in Excel spreadsheet
• Compute and add checksum character to Code 128 automatically in Excel
• Created Code 128 barcodes meet industry standards and support all printers

This guide will show you how to easily turn text and numbers into Code 128 barcodes directly in Microsoft Excel. We'll use a special add-in (a small program that adds new features to Excel) to do this. Think of it as installing a special "printer" inside Excel that creates barcodes instead of printing on paper.

How to Install Code 128 Generator Add-In to Excel

Preparation

Install

Test the installed software

How to Create Your First Code 128 Barcode in Excel?

Prepare Your Data and Target Cell

Access and Configure the Barcode Tool

Link Your Data and Generate

• In the Barcode Settings panel, locate the property field labeled Data. Below it, you'll see a text box. Click inside this text box.
• Here, you need to tell the add-in where to find the information for the barcode. Type the following formula exactly as shown: =LINK(B4). Think of this as creating a bridge that tells the barcode in C4 to always look at cell B4 for its content.
• Press the Enter key on your keyboard to confirm the formula.
• In the Barcode Settings panel, find the green Generate button (it usually has a barcode icon next to it). Click this button with your mouse.
• Look back at cell C4 in your worksheet. You should now see a clear Code 128 barcode! Excel will give it an initial size to fit the cell.

Adjusting the Barcode Size for a Perfect Fit

The initial barcode might be too small or too large for the cell. You can easily make them fit perfectly.

• Ensure the Barcode Settings panel is still open on the right. If you closed it, go back to the Add-ins tab and click Create Barcode to reopen it.
• In the panel, find a small checkbox labeled Resize Covered Cell. Click it to put a checkmark in the box. This tells the add-in to automatically adjust the cell's size to match the barcode image.
• Below this option, locate and click the Update button (usually found next to the Generate button).
• The add-in will now re-draw the barcode. It will also automatically adjust the width and height of cell C4 so that the barcode fits perfectly inside its borders. Imagine you've drawn a picture on a canvas, and now you're adjusting the canvas frame to fit the picture exactly.

Key Dimension Settings Explained

• Auto resize
  
  When checked, the add-in automatically scales the barcode to fit perfectly inside the selected cell.
  
  For most everyday tasks, you can leave this checked. It simplifies the process.
• Unit of Measure
  
  Sets the measurement unit for all size values. Options include Pixel, CM (centimeter), or INCH.
  
  Choose the unit that matches your document's layout needs. If you're designing a label, inches or centimeters might be easier.
• Image width / height
  
  Defines the overall dimensions of the barcode image.
  
  These fields become editable when "Auto resize" is turned off. You can then type exact values.
• Bar width (X)
  
  This is the width of the narrowest bar in the barcode. It is the fundamental building block of your barcode.
  
  Smaller "X" values create more compact barcodes. However, very narrow bars can be harder for some scanners to read. A medium value is often a safe starting point.
• Bar height (Y)
  
  The height of the bars themselves. This does not include the text below the barcode.
  
  Taller bars are generally easier for scanners to read. You might consider making them tall enough to be easily scanned from various angles.
• Left/Right margin
  
  The "quiet zone". The required blank space on either side of the barcode. Scanners need this space to recognize where the barcode starts and ends.
  
  The recommended minimum quiet zone is 10 times the "X" dimension. It is a good practice to ensure this space is present.

Note: When experimenting with these values, it is a good idea to make small adjustments and test your barcodes with a scanner to ensure they remain readable.

Managing and Updating Your Barcodes

Automatic Updates (The Easy Way)

Manual Updates (When Things Get Out of Sync)

Deleting a Barcode

1. Set the Barcode Type property to CODE 128, CODE 128 A, or CODE 128 B, or CODE 128 C.
• CODE 128 - default (auto):Barcode Library will automatically switch between code sets to encode the ASCII values.
• CODE 128 A: Barcode Library will encode the Char Set A which only supports ASCII values from 0 to 95.
• CODE 128 B: Barcode Library will encode the Char Set B which only supports ASCII values from 32 to 127.
• CODE 128 C: Barcode Library will encode the Char Set C which only supports pairs of digits.
2. Set the Data property with the value to encode.
   Type is string.
1. Valid Data Scope for Code 128 Auto:
• All 128 characters of ASCII (ASCII values from 0 to 127)
2. Valid Data Scope for Code 128 Set A :
• Supports ASCII values from 0 to 95
3. Valid Data Scope for Code 128 Set B :
• Supports ASCII values from 32 to 127
4. Valid Data Scope for Code 128 Set C:
• Supports pairs of digits
5. Sample: "BLSample"
3. Check the Apply Tilde (~) property,, if you want use the tilde character "~" to specify special characters in the input data.
• ~1: is used to represent the FNC1 code.
• ~2: is used to represent the Structured Append and must be followed by a 3-digit number between 1 and 255.
• ~3: is used only at the very beginning of the symbol for the reader programming purpose.
• ~5: is used only at the very beginning of the symbol, the header [)> + ASCII 30 + ASCII 05 + ASCII 29 will be transmitted by the barcode reader before the data in the message and the trailer ASCII 30 + ASCII 4 will be transmitted afterwards.
• ~6: is used only at the very beginning of the symbol, the header [)> + ASCII 30 + ASCII 06 + ASCII 29 will be transmitted by the barcode reader before the data in the message and the trailer ASCII 30 + ASCII 4 will be transmitted afterwards.
• ~7NNNNNN: is used to specify the Extended Channel and NNNNNN is a value between 000000 and 999999.
• ~dNNN: is used to represent the ASCII character with the value of NNN.
4. Add checksum char property is not applied here. Barcode Library will always add a check character between encoded data and stop character (modulo 103).
5. Barcode Size Settings.
• Set property Unit of Measure (Unit of Measure) for properties Bar Width, Bar Height, Margins.
  Valid values are Pixel, CM, Inch.
• Set the Image Width and Image Height properties.
  Both types are float.
• Set the Bar width (X) (for bar cell width) and Bar height (Y) (for bar cell height) properties.
  Both types are float.
• Set the Left Margin, Right Margin, Top Margin and Bottom Margin properties.
  Types are all float.
• If the Auto Resize property is chacked, the generated barcode image width and height will be the same as property "Image width", and "Image hight", and it will generate the maximum Bar Width and Bar Hight.
• Set the DPI property (Value is expressed in DPI - Dots per inch).
  Type is int.
6. Setting up Barcode data text style in barcode image (Tab: 1D Barcode).
• Set the Display barcode data properties. If Display barcode data is checked, barcode data will be displayed with the barcode.
• Set the Font property. The font used to display text in barcode image.
7. Set Rotate property.
   If you want to rotate barcode image, valid values are : 0, 90, 180, 270

Summary