How to create barcode Code 128 in Excel?
Free add in download, no font, vba.

Before we start, let's get familiar with the core term we'll use: Code 128 barcode (a high-density linear barcode that can encode numbers, letters, and special characters, similar to a "digital ID card" for data. You can think of it as a way to turn plain text/numbers into a scannable pattern, widely used in product labeling, inventory management, and document tracking).

This guide will help you create and print Code 128 barcodes in Excel easily. We'll use clear structures, simple explanations, and detailed prompts to avoid common mistakes.

Code 128 barcode is a high-density linear barcode symbology, which encodes digits, text, control characters, and full ASCII 128 characters.



Code 128, also named as ANSI/AIM 128, ANSI/AIM Code 128, USS Code 128, Uniform Symbology Specification Code 128, Code 128 Code Set A, Code 128 Code Set B, Code 128 Code Set C, Code 128A, Code 128B & Code 128C, is a self-checking linear barcode which encodes 128 ISO/IEC 646 characters.

To ensure a smooth process, you can prepare the following items first. This will save you time during operation:

• A Windows computer with Microsoft Excel (compatible with Excel 2016 and later versions; if you're using an older version, you may encounter compatibility issues, so upgrading to Excel 2016 or newer is recommended).
• A reliable Excel Barcode Add-in (a small tool that integrates with Excel to generate barcodes; we'll use the KeepAutomation Excel Barcode Generator Add-in in this guide, which is user-friendly for beginners).
• An Excel file (you can use a blank new file or an existing file with data you want to convert into barcodes, such as product numbers, serial numbers, or batch codes).

1. Locate the downloaded installation file (usually in the "Downloads" folder of your computer) and double-click it to launch the installation wizard.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts step by step. You can click "Next" to proceed with the default settings (this is suitable for most beginners).
3. During the installation, you may see a prompt to enable Excel macros (a feature that allows the add-in to run in Excel, similar to enabling a plugin in a browser). You can enable macros. This is safe for the official add-in.
4. Note: If you skip enabling macros, the add-in will not work. If you don't see the macro prompt, you can enable it later through Excel settings.
5. Click "Finish" to complete the installation.

1. Open Excel (double-click the Excel icon on your desktop or find it in the Start Menu).
2. Look for the Add-ins tab in the Excel ribbon (the top menu bar of Excel, usually located after the "Data" tab, between "Data" and "Review").
3. If you can't find the Add-ins tab:
   1. Click "File" in the top-left corner of the Excel interface.
   2. Select "Options" from the drop-down menu (at the bottom of the left sidebar).
   3. In the pop-up "Excel Options" window, select "Add-ins" from the left menu.
   4. Check if "KeepAutomation Excel Barcode Generator" is listed in the "Active Application Add-ins" section. If not, select it and click "Go" to enable it.

Once the Add-ins tab is visible, you can see the KeepAutomation group (a small section in the Add-ins tab, with buttons related to barcode creation). Tshis means the add-in is successfully enabled.

Now that the add-in is ready, you can insert Code 128 barcodes into your Excel cells. We'll link the barcode to a specific cell (so the barcode updates automatically when the cell data changes).

1. In your Excel worksheet, click on the cell where you want to insert the barcode. We recommend cell C4 (directly next to the data cell B4 for easy management). The cell will be highlighted with a bold border, indicating it's selected.
2. Go to the Add-ins tab in the Excel ribbon and click the "Create Barcode" button (located in the KeepAutomation group, usually with a small barcode icon next to the text).
3. A Barcode Settings panel will pop up on the right side of the Excel window. This is where you'll configure all barcode-related settings (it's fixed on the right, so you don't need to move it).
4. In the Barcode Settings panel, find the "Data" property field (it's labeled "Data" clearly, with a text box below it). Click inside the text box to activate it.
5. Type =LINK(B4) into the text box (this formula links the barcode to the data in cell B4. Think of it as "telling" the add-in: "Use the data in B4 to make the barcode").
6. Note: Make sure you enter the formula correctly. Capitalization doesn't matter, but the equal sign (=), "LINK", and cell reference (B4) must be accurate. If you enter it wrong, the barcode won't display the correct data.
7. Press the Enter key on your keyboard to confirm the formula.
8. In the Barcode Settings panel, locate the green "Generate" button (it's marked with "Generate" and a barcode icon, usually below the Data field). Click this button.

The initial barcode size may not fit the cell perfectly. You can use the add-in's auto-resize function to make the barcode fit without overlapping or leaving empty space.

1. In the Barcode Settings panel, find the "Resize Covered Cell" option. It's a small checkbox with the same label next to it (usually below the Data field, near the Generate button).
2. Click the checkbox to place a checkmark inside. This enables the auto-resize function (it tells the add-in to adjust the cell size to match the barcode).
3. Below the "Resize Covered Cell" option, locate the "Update" button (it's usually next to the Generate button, marked with "Update" in black text).
4. Click the "Update" button. The add-in will re-draw the barcode with the new size settings.

The KeepAutomation Add-in supports both automatic and manual updates, so you can keep your barcodes consistent with your cell data easily. We'll explain both methods below.

Automatic update is convenient and saves time—you can use it when you’re editing data directly in Excel.

• As long as the Barcode Settings panel is open (the add-in is active), any changes you make to the linked cell (e.g., cell B4) will trigger an automatic update of the barcode.
• Double-click cell B4 and change "PROD-12345" to "PROD-54321", then press Enter. The barcode in cell C4 will automatically re-generate to reflect the new value. No extra steps needed.
• You can keep the Barcode Settings panel open while working on your Excel file to ensure automatic updates work smoothly.

There are two common scenarios where automatic update won’t work—you can use manual update to refresh the barcodes:

• The Excel file was closed, and a third-party program (such as a data management tool or another spreadsheet software) modified the cell values. Excel won't detect this change in real time, so the add-in can't update the barcode automatically.
• Excel is open, but the Barcode Add-in is closed (the Barcode Settings panel is not open, or the add-in is disabled in Excel Options). The add-in can't monitor cell changes without being active.

Open your Excel file and ensure it’s the correct one with the barcodes you need to update.

1. Go to the Add-ins tab in the Excel ribbon and click "Create Barcode" in the KeepAutomation group. This reactivates the add-in and opens the Barcode Settings panel.
2. In the Barcode Settings panel, find the "Update All" button (it's usually located at the bottom of the panel, marked with "Update All" in bold text).
3. Click the "Update All" button. The add-in will scan the entire Excel document, detect all linked cells and their corresponding barcodes, and refresh each barcode to match the current cell values.

If you no longer need a barcode, you can delete it easily using either the add-in or basic Excel operations. Both methods are simple. You can choose the one you prefer.

1. Select the barcode: Move your mouse cursor to the barcode and click it once. A small border with adjustment handles (small squares at the corners) will appear around the barcode. This means it's selected.
2. To delete multiple barcodes: Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while clicking each barcode one by one. All selected barcodes will show the adjustment border.
3. Choose one of the following deletion methods:
   1. If the Barcode Settings panel is open: Click the "Delete" button (located near the Generate and Update buttons, labeled "Delete").
   2. Use your keyboard: Press the Delete key or the Backspace key. This is the fastest method.
   3. Right-click the selected barcode: A context menu will appear; select "Delete" from the menu (this is convenient if you're already using your mouse).

Code 128 barcode in Excel supports the following character sets and some special characters

• All 128 Full ASCII characters defined in ISO/IEC 646
• Extended ASCII characters are also supported with Function Character (FNC4) used. (By default are values 128 - 255 of ISO/IEC 8859-1, Latin Alphabet 1)
• 4 non-data function characters
• 4 code set selection characters
• 3 Start characters
• 1 Stop character

Using KeepAutomation barcode generator software for Excel add-in, you can easily encode printable ASCII/extended ASCII characters into Code 128 in Microsoft Excel.

Code 128 Code Sets (A, B, C)

Code 128 characters length in Excel

Code 128 start/stop characters

Code 128 special characters

Code 128 symbol check digit

Code 128 text font printed

Code128 Barcode Dimension Width and Height in Microsoft Excel

Create Code 128 using data from Microsoft Excel Cell value

1. Open an Excel spreadsheet, generate a Code 128 and click "Link Barcode to Cell".
2. Select a cell with data, and click "Update Barcode" (To undo it, click "Cancel").
3. Now the Code 128 image is successfully linked to the data in the cell.
4. You can also link multiple images to cells and revise the linked data.
5. Then choose one of linked Code 128 images and click "Update".
6. Now all the linked Code 128 images will be updated to the revised data in selected cells.

How to create multiple/bulk Code 128 barcodes in Microsoft Excel sheets without using VBA, Macro formula?

Frequently Asked Questions