Using Word Code 128 Barcode Generator Add in
How to create, print barcode Code 128 labels in Microsoft Word without font. Free Download
How to generate, display, print barcode Code 128 labels in Microsoft Word without using font. Free download.
- Flexible linear Code 128 generating addin for Word used widely
- Code 128 Barcode Addin to be used in Microsoft Word 2019/2016/2013/2010/2007
- Easy to integrate Code 128 creation functionality in Microsoft Word
- Require no barcode fonts and programming skills for Code 128 generation
- Automatically print Code 128 barcode in accordance with ISO/IEC specifications
- Offer flexible and royalty-free User Licenses for Code 128 Word Barcode Addin
You may consider using this add-in to generate and insert both linear and 2D barcodes directly within Microsoft Word.
This tool allows you to insert high-quality Code 128 images into your Word documents with ease.
It is fully compatible with Microsoft Word 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 versions.
No programming expertise, such as knowledge of VB.NET, WinForms, or WPF, is necessary to use this mature plugin.
Industry standards for Code 128 are preconfigured within the barcode generation process.
You do not need to be familiar with Code 128 specifications to use the add-in effectively.
Barcode fonts are not required when creating Code 128 barcodes with this tool.
You can quickly add Code 128 barcodes to your Microsoft Word documents in just a few steps.
Code 128 Barcode Introduction
Code 128 Character Set Encoding in Microsoft Word Code 128 encoding characters
Code 128 barcode supports the following 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 Word Barcode Generator add-in, you need provide first two characters to generate Code 128 barcodes in Microsoft Word document. The rest function chars,
code set chars, start/stop chars will be encoded by barcode software automatically.
Code 128 Code Sets
To encode characters efficiently, Code 128 defines three Code Sets.
- Code Sets A
- Code Sets B
- Code Sets C
Barcode Generator for Word will convert your Code 128 encoding characters into codewords with Code Sets rules applied.
Then the software will generate Code 128 with converted codewords in Word file.
Code 128 maximum character size
The Code 128 specification does not specify the maximum number of characters in a single barcode image.
Code 128 barcode check digit
Code 128 barcode contains a mandatory check digit (checksum) character, which is based on module 103 (mod 103).
The Code 128 check digit will not be displayed in the human readable interpretation (barcode text), and it will not be returned by the barcode decoder also.
Using Word Code 128 generator, you do not need manually calculate Code 128 check digit. The barcode generator software will automatically calculate the
encoding Code 128 check digit and insert it to the right position in the Code 128 symbology in Microsoft Office Word file.
Code 128 Barcode Data Characters Encoding in Microsoft Office Word Application
This section explains how to encode data and configure settings for Code 128.
Code 128, also known as Barcode 128, ANSI/AIM 128, or USS Code 128, is a high-density, high-reliability linear barcode symbology.
You can perform this encoding in Microsoft Office Word without needing to install additional barcode fonts.
Code 128 Barcode Structure
A complete Code 128 barcode consists of the following structural components:
- Quiet zone (empty space around the barcode to ensure scanners can detect it)
- Start character (signals the start of the barcode)
- Data characters (the actual information encoded in the barcode)
- Symbol check character (ensures data accuracy)
- Stop character (signals the end of the barcode)
- Quiet zone (another empty space after the stop character)
When using the KeepAutomation Word Barcode Add-in in Microsoft Office Word, you only need to enter the Code 128 data characters.
The add-in automatically computes and inserts all other required structural characters (start, stop, check digit, and quiet zones) into the printed Code 128 barcode image in your Word document.
You can verify this by checking the generated barcode. All structural components will be present and correctly formatted.
Code 128 Data Character Set
Code 128 supports a full range of character encoding in Microsoft Office Word Application.
Supported character types include:
- All 128 full ASCII characters defined in ISO/IEC 646. This includes letters, numbers, symbols, and control characters.
- Extended ASCII characters based on ISO/IEC 8859-1. These include special characters used in various languages.
You may refer to the official ASCII table and ISO/IEC 8859-1 specification for a complete list of supported characters.
Code 128 Maximum & Minimum Text Length
The official Code 128 specification does not define a fixed maximum character length for a single symbol.
However, some industry standards may impose restrictions on this length.
For example, GS1-128 (a Code 128-based standard) supports a maximum of 48 characters per barcode.
There is also no official minimum data length defined for Code 128.
That said, some barcode scanners may have practical limits on the input length they can read.
Note: It is recommended to verify your scanner's specifications and adjust the configuration in Microsoft Office Word accordingly.
This step helps avoid scanning failures.
Code 128 Data Code Sets in Microsoft Office Word Application
Code 128 uses three official code sets defined in the ISO standard:
- Code Set A (supports ASCII control characters, uppercase letters, and numbers)
- Code Set B (supports uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols)
- Code Set C (supports only numeric data, encoded in pairs for higher density)
In the Word Barcode Add-in pane (located on the right side of your Word window), you can select a specific code set: Code 128 A, Code 128 B, or Code 128 C.
This option is ideal when your data uses only one code set (e.g., all uppercase letters for Code Set A).
For data strings that contain characters from multiple code sets (e.g., a mix of letters and numbers), you can select the general "Code 128" barcode type.
The add-in will automatically switch and combine the appropriate code sets during encoding.
You can verify this by generating the barcode and ensuring all characters are correctly displayed and scannable.
Note: The generated barcode in your Word document will correctly support complex character combinations, so you don't need to manually switch code sets.
Code 128 Start and Stop Characters in Word
Code 128 defines three start characters (Start A, Start B, Start C) and one universal stop character.
You do not need to manually type start or stop characters in the Word barcode data field.
The KeepAutomation Barcode Add-in automatically inserts the correct start and stop characters at the proper positions.
The generated Code 128 barcode in your Word document will maintain structural validity, with start and stop characters correctly placed.
Note: Manually inserting start or stop characters will cause encoding errors and result in unreadable barcodes.
Code 128 Check Digit Character in Word
Each valid Code 128 barcode includes a check digit calculated using the Modulo 103 algorithm.
In the Microsoft Office Word Application's 1D Barcode settings tab, the "Add checksum char" property does not apply to Code 128.
The add-in automatically computes and adds the check digit before the stop character during barcode generation.
The check digit is embedded in the barcode structure but not displayed in the human-readable text label.
It is also not transmitted during scanning by barcode readers or software. This ensures the data remains clean and accurate.
Code 128 Barcode Image Dimension Settings in Word Document
Using the Word Barcode Add-in, you can fully adjust the Code 128 image dimensions and layout in Microsoft Office Word.
Adjustable Properties:
- Unit of Measure: You can choose between PIXEL, CM, or INCH.
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): This controls the image resolution; higher DPI is recommended for high-quality printing.
- Bar width (X): The width of the narrowest barcode module. This is a critical parameter for scanner compatibility.
- Bar height (Y): The height of the barcode bars. Adjusting this can improve readability.
- Image width: The total width of the generated barcode image.
- Image height: The total height of the generated barcode image.
- Left & right margins: These form the quiet zone, with a minimum width of 10X (10 times the narrowest bar width).
- Top & bottom margins: Additional quiet zone space above and below the barcode.
- Text margin: The spacing between the barcode bars and the human-readable text below it.
Note: The minimum bar width (X) should comply with your printing and scanning specifications.
Insufficient quiet zone width may lead to failed scanning when the Word document is printed. This is a common issue that can be avoided by following the minimum width guidelines.
Generate A Code 128 Barcode in Word
- Switch to the "Add-Ins" tab, and click the "Insert Barcode".
- Select "Code128Auto" in the "SYMBOLOGY" pull-down menu from barcode setting panel.
- Type valid data in the text box of "VALID DATA".
- You can choose to adjust the properties of the barcode in the barcode setting panel.
- Click "Insert" to produce the Code 128 image at the cursor position.
- Users can revise the parameters of the created Code 128 barcodes and click "Update" to finish the revision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can Code 128 barcode text code include?
Code 128 is a dense linear barcode with high-density barcode that can encode a wide range of data,
it encodes digits, text, control characters, and the complete 128-character ASCII set.
What are the uses of Code 128?
You will frequently find Code 128 barcodes in use for:
- Food and non-food fields
- Shipping and packaging industries
- Healthcare, public sectors, and government agencies
What defines Code 128's check digit?
A Code 128 barcode automatically includes a check digit. This character is the result of a Modulo 103 calculations on the encoded data,
serving as a built-in error-checking mechanism.
What's the longest possible Code 128 barcode in terms of characters?
Code 128's ISO standard doesn't fix a maximum character number. But when using GS1-128, the barcode is limited to 48 data characters to ensure reliability.
How can I read a Code 128 barcode?
To read a Code 128 barcode, use one of those: a physical barcode scanner, A smartphone with a barcode app, or a computer with a camera and scanning software.
Is Code 128 better than Code 39 barcode?
Code 128 is generally more efficient than Code 39 as it can store more information in a smaller area, creating a denser and shorter barcode.
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