How to scan barcodes to Excel - the 2022 options overview

In this article, I am going to guide you on how to scan barcodes into Excel and its benefits. Besides learning how to use barcode scanners with Excel, you will also know the best ways to create barcodes with Microsoft Excel, and a solution for linking it to cell content. Let's jump right in!

What is the benefit of a barcode?

Barcode is a method of representing data efficiently and accurately in a visual layout by varying the widths, spacing, and sizes of parallel lines. Barcodes give us a great way to reduce human error and speed up data entry tasks. From a consumer perspective, to get more information, it's much easier to scan barcodes rather than impute a URL in a browser or other data manually. From the perspective of your machine and programs, a barcode is just a line of text.

How to scan barcodes into Excel?

First, you need to get a barcode scanner along with its software (such as a serial driver) to read the information in barcodes and import it to your documents. If you have these, then follow the steps below to scan barcodes into Excel:

1. Open Microsoft Excel application. Click on the cell you want the scanned data to store in and position the cursor in the cell;
2. Scan your barcode and its data will appear in the selected cell. If your scanner software has a pre-defined 'Tab' or 'Enter' barcode, then you may start scanning another barcode right away, otherwise, you'll need to press a key on the keyboard before scanning the next item.

This is it, you're all set.

How to insert barcodes into Excel?

An add-on is required to deal with barcodes and their parameters in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. For instance, TBarCode Office is one of such add-ins. To insert a barcode in Excel:

1. Open the Excel application and select the cell you want the scanned data stored in;
2. Switch to the Add-Ins tab and Open the TBarCode Panel;
3. Enter the data for your barcode and adjust the size of your barcode (width, height, module width etc.);
4. Click the button 'Insert Barcode'. This will be it! Now you have a barcode in your Excel document, which can be used for your future barcode operation.

To connect that barcode with particular content in Excel:

1. Open the TBarCode Panel and select the barcode type;
2. Mark the barcode you need to link with the mouse;
3. In the right panel, click "Link to Cell" and Mark the required cell.

It's done!

How to sync data from a barcode scanner application and Microsoft Excel?

In some cases, data can be synced between scanner software services and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets in real-time via online data exchange in CSV format.

1. Allow data sharing in your barcode scanner application (preferably CSV format) to get the URL;
2. Open Excel and go to 'Get Data' section. Select 'From Other Sources' in the menu and click 'From Web'.
3. Paste the link you have previously received in your barcode manager app and approve import settings.
4. Confirm and load your data and Set the frequency of import.

Done! From now on, your Excel spreadsheet will sync with your barcode scanner or barcode manager software. When you add, update or remove data in that program, Excel will pull those changes into your Excel spreadsheet.

Open the TBarCode Panel . Position the mouse cursor in a cell. Select the barcode type (e.g. Code 128). Enter the barcode data or use the default data for the selected barcode. Adjust the size of the barcode (width, height, module width etc). Click the button Insert Barcode . Finished!

Bonus: How to generate barcodes online?

Any printable and scan-able barcode can be generated online and for free with a barcode generator. For instance, Barcode Maker Online can help you to generate in Interleaved 2 of 5, Code 39, Code 128 A, B, or C symbologies with a few clicks. This service can be used to create individual barcodes or called via URL's to include inline PNG or JPEG images directly into your Excel spreadsheets.

What's the bottom line?

To sum up, barcodes are still a popular way to input text-based information with high velocity and as such can be utilized with Excel spreadsheets, which make it easier to analyze and process important business data.

BEVA Wireless Handheld Barcode scanner

It is easy to use and can be easily used for any scanning job. The cost is lower than the previous scanner so expect more functionality. Nonetheless, it is necessary to look at it because it also provides some unique features that can only be obtained using another scanner. The scanner is equipped with 2.4g wireless connections via USB dongles along with an USB cable. It is also the plug in scanner with a 328 foot transmission. The anti-drop technology is also good in its eco-friendly ABS scan paper and its silicone protector. Even with its drop of 1.5 meters this device is perfectly operating.

Symcode Barcode scanner

Alternatives to WoneNice scanners include the Symcode Barcode scanner which is under $20.95. It's still an automatic type handheld laser scan with LEDs and buzzers. Unlike other scanners, the WoneNice can do up to 150 scans per second. The software can be installed as well as a Mac OS X system and supports most office software such as Word Excel QuickBook and Novell. It has a very nice interface that allows the scanner to work even without installing software and programs. Kasper Langmann, Co-founder of Spreadsheetop.

Symcode 2D QR barcode scanner

If you are looking for a hands free scanner then consider the Symcode 2D QR Barcode scanner. It captures bar 1D and 2D barcodes in labels, paper as well as phones. The CCD technology can detect screen code and incomplete or fuzzy code. Unlike other scanners, the SCR1 features sensitivity scans that automatically detect sound and illuminate power or operation conditions. Moreover, it can withstand falls of 5 height. Note that although this is an integrated software scan, this only applies to the device that includes a USB connection. Kasper Langmann, Cofounder of Spreadsheetopedia:

The barcode is also known as UPC-A and is restricted to 12 characters. I2of5: This is a two row barcode that's used on rolls of 35mm film, and to label some cartons. It's also known as industrial 2 of 5 or interleaved 2 of 5, and encodes numeric characters. UPC-E: This is a variation of a UPC barcode where certain characters (e.g., leading zeros) are omitted, in order to keep the code to six digits. QR: This 2D barcode can be used to open a website or app when scanned with a mobile phone camera.

WoneNice USB laser barcode scanner

If the scanner costs under $20, try the WoneNice USB Laser Barcode scanner ideal for warehouses or store operations. The wire scanner has an easily installed USB port. The product is compatible with Microsoft Windows, MacOS X and Linux. The WoneNice scanner can scan at speeds ranging from 100 to 200 scans per second. It can also decode most coding systems worldwide. The software also offers more than 400 customizable options on a single string: Prefix, suffix and termination string.

Creating barcodes with Excel is easy!

You can create customised Barcode tables with TBarCode office Excel and create Barcode Lists quickly and reliably with professional quality. Article lists are easily compiled by converting the selected cell to the required codes using a simple click. The TBA Code Office is enjoyable. In addition to bar-code tasks you can also dynamically connect your barcode to your spreadsheet. When an element on the link has been changed the barcode is automatically updated.

Esky handheld barcode scanner

The handheld Esky barcode scanning machine should start with the best available. In addition it is simple to use, and has the highest scanning speeds and most memory available. A shock-resistant ABS material provides long lasting protection. Moreover, the ergonomic design of this device will not stress you out. Suitable for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. So whatever system you run Excel on will always function correctly.

How to use a Barcode Scanner with Excel?

You can use barcode scanner in Excel to scan a barcode and enter it into Excel. In order to receive parts from shipments, the department should scan each part's barcode and put these codes into an electronic parts file. The second approach would be the scanning using a scanner for Excel barcodes using the steps described herein. They can be entered into database in any software application you wish.

How to create a barcode in Excel 2013?

Download barcode based fonts. Create 2 rows in a blank spreadsheet. Use the text barcode in this row for a barcode row with a formula: ="*" &A2&"*". Now paste the formula into the remaining cell of barcode rows. The text numbers/letters you put in the text rows are displayed with the barcode on the barcode row. Find steps and information about Excel 2013 here.

How to create a barcode in Excel 2016?

Install barcode font. Create two columns on an Excel blank sheet. Use the barcode font for the Barcode row by entering this formula: "*&A1'&*" Next, add a formula to each remaining cell in a barcode row to complete the process. In the text column, the number or letter will be shown as barcodes. Please find detailed instructions in Excel 2016.

How to use Excel Barcode Fonts?

After creating barcode, you will deploy them. You can print and scan a barcode for a catalog and the barcoding can then be retrieved by scanning the barcode. Scanners can be customized or offered as an item and you can even use smartphones that have a scanner software installed on them.

How to generate random barcodes in Excel?

RANDBETWEEN Excel can be used in bar code applications where the numbering requirement is random. Use this procedure to automatically generate random bar codes. Please make changes in column format in the Step Two section of the creation of barcodes for Excel.

Can Excel be used to generate barcodes?

In the 2010 versions Excel can be generated by barcode. Older versions may also enable barcode creation with the support addon. They include the releases from 2003 and 2007.