How to Create Bar Codes in Excel

Determine Requirements and Install Bar Code Font
1. Determine font requirements. Bar code type determines font requirements. Add-ins covering a number of font types is available but can be costly so a better idea is to purchase either a general-purpose font, or a font specific to the bar code you need. Common bar code fonts include:
Code 39 -- General-purpose bar code
Code 128 -- Used as the basis for Health Industry and Blood Bank bar codes
UCCEAN -- International bar code typically used for shipping/receiving
ITIF14 -- Used to mark external containers of products with an EAN (European Article Numbering) identifier
12of5 -- High-density bar code supporting alphanumeric characters
UPC/EAN -- Most common retail bar code font
GS1 Databar -- Compact version of the UPC bar code that can carry more information and identify small items more easily
2. Ensure the bar code font is compatible with Microsoft Excel. Most fonts will work with Microsoft Excel but double-check to make sure. If you cannot find compatibility information in your user manual, call the manufacturer's customer service department.
3. Read installation instructions and install bar code font add-in.
Create Bar Code
4. Open a new spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Bar code fonts run via macros so enable macros before you start. For Excel versions up to 2003, from Tools, click on Macro, and then click on Security. Set the Security level to Low to allow macros to run unrestricted. In Excel 2007, click the Microsoft Office button, then Excel Options, and Trust Center. From the Trust Center, click Trust Center Settings, then Macro Settings. Set macro settings to Enable All Macros.
5. Enter data for the bar code in column A and append asterisks to the data in column B. Data in column A should be in a normal form, such as 123-45-6789. In column B, the same data should be in formula form to append asterisks preceding and following the formula. For example, ='*'A2'*' will append asterisks to the data in column A so it reads *123-45-6789*(assuming the data is on line A2). Enter all data following this procedure.
6. Change the data in column B to a bar code. Select all data in column B (highlight) and choose the bar code font from the toolbar.
7. Format the bar code. First, set the bar code size. If you will be using a scanner to read the bar code, choose a 24-point size. Center the text below the bar code by clicking the Center Text button or use the shortcut Ctrl E. Ensure the entire bar code is visible within the spreadsheet cell by double-clicking the header in column B to auto-fit the contents of the cell.