Data Matrix Generator for Word
Create, print Data Matrix 2d bar code labels in Microsoft Word, no font install, free download
How to generate, display, print Data Matrix 2d barcode labels in Microsoft Word without using font. Free download.
- Advanced and easy-to-use Data Matrix barcode addin for Microsoft Word
- Accurate Data Matrix barcode generation in accordance with ISO/IEC 16022
- Also compatible with GS1 standard for creating Data Matrix ECC200
- Create 2d barcode Data Matrix in Microsoft Word 2019, 2016, 2013 and 2010
- Easy to adjust Data Matrix barcode settings with user-friendly interface
- No need for barcode fonts and barcode programming skills
- Provide royalty-free and permanent User License for Word Barcode Addin
This guide introduces the KeepAutomation Data Matrix Barcode Add-In, a user-friendly tool to create high-quality Data Matrix barcodes in Microsoft Word documents.
Data Matrix Overview
Data Matrix (a.k.a. Data Matrix ECC200) is a two-dimensional barcode developed by International Data Matrix in 1989.
It is a square or rectangular pattern constructed of several white and black modules. A Data Matrix is able to encode up to 2335 alphanumeric data.
Data Matrix Characters Encoding in Word Data Matrix encoding character set
Data Matrix barcode supports full ASCII characters and extended ASCII character set encoding.
Data Matrix encodable character set
- Full ASCII chars code values 0 - 127 in accordance with the US national version of ISO/IEC 646
- Extended ASCII chars code values 128 - 255 in accordance with ISO 8859-1.
- Other character sets (e.g. Arabic, Cyrillic, Greek, Hebrew) may be supported when using the Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI) protocol
- Unicode text in byte array
Using Data Matrix generator Word add-in, you can easily encode all the above characters into Data Matrix in Microsoft Word documents without
any 3rd party software, such as fonts, COM control, VBA, Macro programming.
Data Matrix maximum characters size
Depends on the encoding Data Matrix data type, Data Matrix supports maximum length from 1,555 to 3,116 characters.
- Alphanumeric data: up to 2,335 characters
- Byte data (8-bit): 1,555 characters
- Numeric data: 3,116 digits
In word document, if your encoding data has more characters than the maximum characters size, the barcode generator software will
produce an image with text "Invalid Settings" printed.
Data Matrix data mode
To encode data efficiently into the Data Matrix symbology, the Data Matrix generator software will convert data characters to codewords using the following 6 data modes.
- ASCII (double digit numerics; ASCII values 0 - 127; Extended ASCII values 128 - 255)
- C40 (Upper-case alphanumeric; Lower case and special characters;)
- Text (Lower-case alphanumeric; Upper case and special characters)
- X12 (ANSI X12 EDI data set)
- EDIFACT (ASCII values 32 - 94)
- Base 256 (All byte values 0 - 255)
Using Excel data matrix generator software, you do not need to learn how to choose the right data mode to convert encoding characters to codewords.
You can simple choose "AUTO" data mode, the word barcode software will automatically choose the best Data Matrix data mode for you.
How to Adjust Data Matrix Settings in the Word Add-In Panel
You can customize your Data Matrix barcode using the Barcode Settings panel (located on the right side of Word after clicking Create Barcode):
- Under the 2D Barcode section, check Apply Tilde (~) to enable encoding of GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) and special characters (e.g., line breaks, tabs).
- Check GS1 Compatible Barcode to generate Data Matrix barcodes that meet GS1 standards. Ideal for retail and supply chain use.
- You can select the Data mode and Format mode from the dropdown menus to match your specific needs (e.g., encoding Unicode text or rectangular Data Matrix).
Data Matrix Character Encoding in Microsoft Office Word
This section guides you through encoding different character sets, adjusting barcode dimensions, and understanding Data Matrix properties using the KeepAutomation add-in. Data Matrix is a 2D matrix barcode symbology. Think of it as a compact, square (or rectangular) code that can store large amounts of data in a small space, similar to a digital "data card."
Encode ASCII Printable Characters
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) values 32 to 126 represent printable characters. These include letters (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9), punctuation marks (!, @, #), and miscellaneous symbols. This is the most common character set for basic barcode data.
- Open the Barcode Generator settings pane (click Create Barcode under the Add-Ins tab).
- Locate the Data text box in the settings pane (usually at the top of the panel).
- Enter your ASCII printable characters directly into the Data text box (e.g., "PROD12345", "ABC123!").
- Click Generate or Update to render the barcode.
Encode Unicode Characters
Data Matrix supports Unicode encoding, which allows you to include characters from multiple languages (e.g., Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic) in your barcode. This is useful for global applications.
- In the Barcode Settings pane, find the Data mode property and set it to BASE256.
- Locate the Encode for bytes property and select your preferred byte encoding mode (UTF-8 is the default, which works for most Unicode characters).
- Enter your Unicode text into the Data field (e.g., "产品123" for Chinese, "привет" for Russian).
- Click Update to generate the barcode with the encoded Unicode data.
Note: Selecting an incorrect byte encoding may cause garbled or unreadable barcode data. Always verify the barcode after updating the settings. You can scan it with a mobile barcode scanner to confirm accuracy.
Encode GS1 Data Messages
Data Matrix is an official GS1-compliant data carrier, alongside QR Code, Code 128, and EAN/UPC. GS1 data messages include Application Identifiers (AIs) that define the type of data (e.g., product ID, expiration date).
You can easily encode GS1 data elements using the KeepAutomation add-in in Word.
Adjust Data Matrix Width and Height Using the Word Barcode Add-In
Most Data Matrix barcodes are square, but some formats are rectangular. You can adjust the dimensions to fit your document or labeling needs—just ensure you maintain scannability.
Square Data Matrix (Most Common)
- Click to select the target Data Matrix barcode in your Word document (a border will appear around the barcode).
- In the Barcode Settings pane (right side of Word), navigate to the Barcode Size tab.
- Locate the Width & Height property group.
- Enter the same value for Image width and Image height (e.g., 200 pixels for both).
- Click the Update button to re-render the barcode with the new dimensions.
- Confirm the barcode appears as a square in your Word document.
Note: For standard square Data Matrix barcodes, always set identical values for Image width and Image height. Mismatched values can distort the barcode and prevent scanning. This is a common mistake to avoid.
Rectangular Data Matrix
The Data Matrix specification defines 6 official rectangular formats, which are useful when space is limited (e.g., narrow product labels). To create a rectangular Data Matrix:
- In the Barcode Settings pane, open the 2D Barcode tab.
- Set the Format mode property to your desired rectangular Data Matrix type (e.g., 12×36).
- Maintain the aspect ratio matching the module column-to-row ratio of the selected format. For example:
- A 12×36 rectangular format has 3 columns for every 1 row (3:1 ratio).
- If you set the Image width to 1536 pixels, the Image height should be 512 pixels (1536 / 3 = 512).
- Click Update to apply the settings.
Note: An incorrect aspect ratio will distort the barcode, making it unreadable by scanners. Always check the format's column-to-row ratio before adjusting dimensions.
Summary
The KeepAutomation Data Matrix Barcode Add-In for Word is a versatile, user-friendly tool for creating high-quality Data Matrix and GS1 Data Matrix barcodes. It requires no programming skills, no barcode fonts, and integrates smoothly with Microsoft Word 365, 2021, 2019, 2016 and early versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Data Matrix code?
A Data Matrix code is a 2D code. It uses black and white cells, which are normally arranged in a square layout.
What is the ISO standard for Data Matrix?
Data Matrix is governed by the ISO/IEC 16022 standard. The newest version of this standard is ISO/IEC 16022:2024.
What different kinds of Data Matrix are there?
Technically, The specification includes two types: ECC 000-140 and ECC 200.
How much information can a Data Matrix hold?
It can store a significant amount, with the exact limit depending on the content.
Maximum capacities are 3,116 for numeric data, 2,335 for standard text, and 1,555 for 8-bit binary data.
What is the dimensional range of a Data Matrix barcode?
The minimum size of a Data Matrix code is 10 by 10 modules. Its maximum size is 144 by 144 modules.
Am I able to scan a Data Matrix using a phone?
Yes. To scan a Data Matrix, simply download a barcode reader app onto your phone. These apps are designed to quickly recognize and decode this type of barcode.
Are Data Matrix codes identical to QR Codes?
No, Data Matrix and QR Code are two different 2D barcode systems.
They share some key features: both are 2D barcodes, enable encoding of ASCII text, Unicode text, and binary data,
they got the ability to encode international text and business data.
But they are built with unique patterns and specifications.
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