This guide explains how to create a barcode for use on a product. Once you have requested a GS1 prefix for your codes, you can create them in UPC or EAN format, one at a time, with an online software or you can create a printable list of CODE128 codes using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Learn how barcodes work
These codes contain two sets of numbers: a global prefix that identifies your business and the product serial number, which allows you to view its information by scanning.
If your items do not yet have a serial number, you will need to create the product list with your preferred sales program before you can make the related barcodes
Step 2. Register your activity on GS1
GS1 is a non-profit organization that deals with the global standard for barcodes. Once you have registered your business with GS1, you will receive a "prefix" that you can use as a reference for your company at the beginning of your barcodes.
To register on GS1, visit the Italian GS1 page, consult the guide, click on Do you need a barcode?, then follow the instructions.
Step 3. Determine the type of barcode you need
Most businesses use the UPC (North America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia) or EAN (parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America) format.
- There are also other types of barcodes (for example CODE39 and CODE128).
- The various versions support codes of different lengths. For example, the EAN-8 format supports up to 8 numbers to identify a business and product, while the EAN-13 format can contain up to 13 digits.
Step 4. Make sure you have your inventory on hand
Before creating a product barcode, you need to know the number you use to identify it within your sales program. It can be challenging to find this information for each individual item, so always keep product cards handy if possible.
Method 2 of 3: Using an Online Generator
Step 1. Open the TEC-IT website
Visit this address with a browser. The TEC-IT website contains a free barcode generator on the indicated page.
Step 2. Select EAN / UPC
On the left side of the page, you will see the list of barcode types. Scroll down until you read the entry EAN / UPC, then click on it to expand it.
- When scrolling, the mouse pointer must be on the barcode category list.
- If you want to create a different type of barcode, click on the one you prefer.
Step 3. Select the desired variant of the barcode
Click on one of the options under the heading EAN / UPC.
For example: to create a 13-digit EAN code, click on EAN-13.
Step 4. Delete the sample text "Date"
In the large text field to the right of the barcode category, delete the text that appears after selecting the type.
Step 5. Enter your company prefix
Type the prefix GS1 assigned to you in the "Date" text field.
Step 6. Enter the article number
In the same text field where you typed the prefix, add the product identification number.
Do not leave spaces between the prefix and the product code
Step 7. Click Refresh
You will see this button under the lower right corner of the "Date" field. This will update the barcode preview on the right side of the screen, with your prefix and product code.
If you see an error in the barcode preview, try entering it again or selecting a different format
Step 8. Click Download
This button is located on the right side of the page. The barcode will be downloaded to your computer's default "Downloads" folder; at the end of the operation, you can print the code and attach it to the correct product.
Method 3 of 3: Use Microsoft Office
Step 1. Consider the limitations of this method
You can create a CODE128 barcode with Microsoft Office, but you won't be able to generate UPC or EAN codes. This is not a problem if you are able to scan CODE128 codes. If you're using a UPC or EAN scanner instead, use an online generator.
Step 2. Create a new Microsoft Excel document
Open the program, then click on Blank workbook.
On Mac, just open Excel to create a new document
Step 3. Enter the barcode information
Type the following data in the indicated cells:
- A1 - Type Type;
- B1 - Type Label;
- C1 - Enter Barcode;
- A2 - Type CODE128;
- B2 - Enter the barcode prefix and the product number;
- C2 - Re-enter the barcode prefix and product number.
Step 4. Save the document to your desktop
To do it:
- Windows - Click on File, then on Save with name, click twice on This PC, click on Desktop on the left side of the window, type a barcode in the "File name" text field, then click Save, finally close Excel.
- Mac - Click on File, then on Save with name, type a barcode in the "Save as" field, click on the "Where" field, then click Desktop come on Save, finally close Excel.
Step 5. Create a new Microsoft Word document
Open the program, then click on New document in the upper left corner of the window.
On Mac, just open Microsoft Word to create the document
Step 6. Click on the Letters tab
You'll see it at the top of the Word window. Press it to bring up a toolbar at the top.
Step 7. Click on Labels
You will see this option on the left side of the toolbar Letters.
Step 8. Select a label type
Click on the field under the "Label" header at the bottom right of the field, then follow these steps:
- Click on the "Label Provider" drop-down menu;
- Scroll and click on Avery US Letter;
- Scroll and click on the item 5161 in the "Type" section;
- Click on OK.
Step 9. Click on New Document
This button is located at the bottom of the Labels window. You should see a new document appear with some fields already present.
Step 10. Click on the Letters tab
You will open the toolbar again Letters within the new document.
Step 11. Click Select Recipients
You will see this button on the top left. Press it to bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 12. Click Use Existing List…
This is one of the items within the drop-down menu Select recipients.
Step 13. Select the Excel document you created earlier
Click on Desktop on the left side of the window that appears, then on the "barcode" Excel document, on You open, finally click on OK when asked.
Step 14. Click Insert Merge Field
This button is located in the "Insert Fields" section of the tab Letters. Press it to open a drop-down menu.
Step 15. Click Type
This is one of the items in the drop-down menu Insert merge field. Press it to insert a line of text with {MERGEFIELD Type} in the upper left cell of the document.
If clicking on Guy instead a line of text appears that contains <>, don't worry, you will correct the error shortly.
Step 16. Enter the other two types of fields
Click again on Insert merge field, then on Label and repeat the operation for the last item in the drop-down menu (Barcode). You should see the following text appear:
- {MERGEFIELD Type} {MERGEFIELD Label} {MERGEFIELD Barcode}
- If you see the text <> <> <> appear, just select it, click with the right mouse button, then click on Activate field codes in the menu that appears.
Step 17. Add a colon and a space between the "Type" and "Label" tags
The text should now become {MERGEFIELD Type}: {MERGEFIELD Label}.
Step 18. Put the {MERGEFIELD Barcode} text on a line by itself
Click on the space directly before the left bracket, then press Enter.
Step 19. Replace the FIELD part of the "Barcode" tag
Select the "FIELD" part of {MERGEFIELD Barcode} and replace it with BARCODE.
The new tag should become {MERGEBARCODE Barcode}
Step 20. Enter the barcode name
Click on the space directly to the left of the closing bracket of the barcode tag, then type CODE128.
The new tag should become {MERGEBARCODE Barcode CODE128}
Step 21. Create the barcode
Click on Finalize and merge in the toolbar, click on Edit individual documents …, make sure you have checked the "All" box, then click on OK.
Step 22. Save the barcode
To do it:
- Windows - Click on File, then on Save with name, click twice on This PC, select a save path on the left side of the window, type the file name in the "File name" text field, then click on Save.
- Mac - Click on File, then on Save with name, type a name in the "Save as" field, click on the "Where" field and select a save path, then click on Save.
