I often get asked if Excel has a built-in feature to generate barcodes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, and Microsoft isn’t planning on adding this functionality any time soon. But don’t worry, I’ve got a workaround for you that involves just a simple font installation.

I’m excited to share with you how you can create barcodes in Excel. Although the software doesn’t support it natively, a clever trick with the Code 39 barcode font will do the job. It’s a neat solution for those who manage inventories or need to keep tabs on items in spreadsheets. Let’s dive into how you can set this up.

What is Code 39?

Code 39, also known as 3 of 9 barcode, is quite the handy tool when you’re dealing with barcodes. Here’s a breakdown of why:

  • It’s super common and easily scannable by most barcode scanners out there.
  • A Code 39 barcode is made up of 9 characters for each symbol; that includes 5 bars and 4 spaces.
  • Always has 3 wide characters sprinkled in those 9.
  • Great for encoding all sorts of stuff like uppercase A-Z, numbers 0-9, and even some special symbols.

Trust me, it’s a nifty trick for organization and tracking, and using Code 39 can give your Excel skills a good boost.

Steps to Add a Barcode Font/Generate in Excel

Alright, here’s how you’ll whip up a barcode in Excel:

  • Download Barcode Font: I grabbed this nifty free barcode font from idautomation. It’s gratis, but just for learning and playing around.

install barcode font in excel

  • Install the Font: After downloading, I popped it right into my system. It’s a straightforward install; run the file, and let it work its magic.

  • Pick Your Cell: I swooped into Excel and picked the cell to turn into a barcode.

  • Populate with Data: Next up, I typed in the numbers or text I wanted to barcode-ify.

  • Change Font Style: In the formatting options, I flicked over to the “IDAutomationHC39M Free Version” as my font choice.

change font to barcode from normal using formatting options

Like magic, my regular old text shape-shifted into a barcode.

now your barcode is generated in excel

And there you have it, my text was now in perfect 3 of 9 barcode form, ready to be used wherever needed.

Steps to Create a Barcode in Word

To make a 3 of 9 barcode in Word, I follow a few simple steps:

  1. I make sure the “IDAutomationHC39M Free Version” barcode font is installed on my computer.
  2. Then I type out the text I want to turn into a barcode.
  3. I select the typed text and switch the font style to “IDAutomationHC39M Free Version”.

And just like that, my text magically transforms into a barcode!

Conclusion

I’ve found that incorporating barcodes into my inventory management process greatly simplifies tracking my products. By creating barcodes in Excel, I quickly update my product catalog, ensuring accurate inventory levels. It’s a handy tip that saves me time and reduces errors—a real game-changer for my business workflow!

More Tutorials

  • Excel Form Creation: Learn to design a data entry form that suits your workflow.
  • Troubleshooting Guide: Steps to fix corrupt Excel files, no fuss involved.
  • Excel Checkboxes: Here’s how you can insert checkboxes in Excel for interactive lists.
  • Smart Multiplication: Multiply easily with the Paste Special Option.
  • File Recovery: Recover unsaved Excel files with simple steps if Excel crashes.
  • Data Exporting: Convert and save workbooks quickly from XLSX to CSV format with these instructions XLSX TO CSV.

Remark: My experience has taught me that these guides can really simplify your Excel tasks – definitely worth checking out!

Similar Posts