barcode generator
- Thread starter duncan
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mikewof
mikewof
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I used to buy commercial ISBN and UPC bar code generators but you can do all that for free on the internet now. I'll google it.
I don't remember making a 36 character code, but the site I used seemed to have all the different code types.
For 2d barcodes:
http://www.racoindustries.com/barcodegenerator/2d/datamatrix.aspx
For upc, code128 et al.;
http://www.barcoding.com/upc/
For ean and gs codes:
http://www.terryburton.co.uk/barcodewriter/generator/
I'm not sure if this is what you're after, but none of my customers have complained about faulty bar codes since I started using these.
Based on an GA thread a few weeks ago, I tried that new Qcode format it is by far the best of the bunch, you can put site directs in there, embed upc codes.
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mikewof
mikewof
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I didn't know anything about barcodes until my customers started demanding them. The learning curve was all of fifteen minutes. The check digits prevent error, so you might find that the standard tools are all your users need.
Boyd
Anarchist
i have an excel spreadsheet barcode generator, it creates the check digit. I'm happy to share. I think it's for UPC or EAN, it's been a while, I will have to check
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Install a free Code39 barcode font, such as this from IDAutomation.
For low volume printing, configure Excel with a data link to your text, SQL, or other data source. Column 1 = human readable data (any font), imported from data source. Column 2 = Column 1 but set to the Code39 font, i.e. so the user sees data in one column, barcodes in the next. The user then selects and prints the barcode column.
If requiring production volumes, a small, simple print app (any language, applying the same Code39 font) can replace the Excel, making things even easier for the end-user. Main advantage is the ability to add lookup, batch, reprint, or similar features without requiring the user to know much more than how to click a mouse. That aside, either approach works.
Print and test a sample barcode, starting with a shorter length (10 chars perhaps). If it fails to scan properly, concatenate single asterisks before/after the actual barcode data (i.e. *data* ), reprint, retest, and all should be well. Then move on to test the full 36 characters, which is longer than any I recall printing in my own work. If you have troubles scanning and the project allows, break the long single barcode into several shorter barcodes (Part, Serial#, Rev#, MfgDate, etc). True, somebody will have more barcodes to scan...but possibly with better reliability, depending on the quality of printer, scanner, and person doing the scanning :blink:
Post back if IDAutomation's font has problems. If necessary, I can find the original source of the freeware font I use at work (possibly IDAutomation's, but not sure).
For low volume printing, configure Excel with a data link to your text, SQL, or other data source. Column 1 = human readable data (any font), imported from data source. Column 2 = Column 1 but set to the Code39 font, i.e. so the user sees data in one column, barcodes in the next. The user then selects and prints the barcode column.
If requiring production volumes, a small, simple print app (any language, applying the same Code39 font) can replace the Excel, making things even easier for the end-user. Main advantage is the ability to add lookup, batch, reprint, or similar features without requiring the user to know much more than how to click a mouse. That aside, either approach works.
Print and test a sample barcode, starting with a shorter length (10 chars perhaps). If it fails to scan properly, concatenate single asterisks before/after the actual barcode data (i.e. *data* ), reprint, retest, and all should be well. Then move on to test the full 36 characters, which is longer than any I recall printing in my own work. If you have troubles scanning and the project allows, break the long single barcode into several shorter barcodes (Part, Serial#, Rev#, MfgDate, etc). True, somebody will have more barcodes to scan...but possibly with better reliability, depending on the quality of printer, scanner, and person doing the scanning :blink:
Post back if IDAutomation's font has problems. If necessary, I can find the original source of the freeware font I use at work (possibly IDAutomation's, but not sure).
mikewof
mikewof
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HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!! I think this is the first time I ever remember seeing C-Scow post in the filthy chum of GA! I should have remembered that you're the king of this industrial automation stuff.
Granted, if I would have responded before having one O'Fallon 5-Day IPA's, I would have delivered a more appropriate JIT response...
By suggesting the gentleman simply go here for complete advice on the topic.
In fact, if not for two O'Fallon's IPA's, I might even provide that site's link to a video entitled "How to Create a Barcode In Excel Video Tutorial" B)
- Thread starter
- #11
thanks everyone- went with a linked xls file that generates the link from a linked data source (txt file) to a google qr api
=HYPERLINK("http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?chs=200x200&cht=qr&chl="&B1443,"QR_Code")
now im just wondering how to distribute it
=HYPERLINK("http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?chs=200x200&cht=qr&chl="&B1443,"QR_Code")
now im just wondering how to distribute it
You're losing me, Duncan. What exactly is the intended application?
By "distribute", are you referring to printing labels, adding barcodes to paperwork (invoices, BOL's, etc), sending barcode images to a cell phone, or "other"?
The 2D route makes sense, given your 36 character data length. That aside, unless you are talking very low volume, zero up-front budget, or personal rather than business use, you seem to be taking an awfully indirect route.
That said, look at this Excel (VBA) code I just stumbled across on a blog, which appears to do the same thing (generate QR codes via an external web site) but also retrieve and store resulting images back in Excel. With a little more code, easily ripped from Google, you should be able to then print, email, or otherwise process images within Excel.
Good luck. Post back with questions...
P.S. For $12/month (or $4 for 24-hours), it appears this QR site will let you do bulk uploads and select various output options (print, email, bulk download back into Excel, etc).
IDAutomation's single developer license, giving you all options (plus sample code, support, etc) while eliminating the outside web site dependency, is about $200.
IDAutomation's single developer license, giving you all options (plus sample code, support, etc) while eliminating the outside web site dependency, is about $200.
DA-WOODY
Super Anarchist
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ya rightmarachel said:
Ancient_Mariner
Super Anarchist
HEY! I resemble that remark! :angry:HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!! I think this is the first time I ever remember seeing C-Scow post in the filthy chum of GA! I should have remembered that you're the king of this industrial automation stuff.Install a free Code39 barcode font, such as this from IDAutomation.
For low volume printing, configure Excel with a data link to your text, SQL, or other data source. Column 1 = human readable data (any font), imported from data source. Column 2 = Column 1 but set to the Code39 font, i.e. so the user sees data in one column, barcodes in the next. The user then selects and prints the barcode column.
If requiring production volumes, a small, simple print app (any language, applying the same Code39 font) can replace the Excel, making things even easier for the end-user. Main advantage is the ability to add lookup, batch, reprint, or similar features without requiring the user to know much more than how to click a mouse. That aside, either approach works.
Print and test a sample barcode, starting with a shorter length (10 chars perhaps). If it fails to scan properly, concatenate single asterisks before/after the actual barcode data (i.e. *data* ), reprint, retest, and all should be well. Then move on to test the full 36 characters, which is longer than any I recall printing in my own work. If you have troubles scanning and the project allows, break the long single barcode into several shorter barcodes (Part, Serial#, Rev#, MfgDate, etc). True, somebody will have more barcodes to scan...but possibly with better reliability, depending on the quality of printer, scanner, and person doing the scanning
Post back if IDAutomation's font has problems. If necessary, I can find the original source of the freeware font I use at work (possibly IDAutomation's, but not sure).
