How to Create Barcodes in Excel (Free Code 39 Font)

Step-by-step

You can turn product or inventory codes into barcodes that any barcode scanner can read, with one formula and a free font. No special software needed.

1. Format the codes as text

If your codes start with a zero, Excel tries to help by removing it, which breaks the barcode. Select the column that holds the codes (column B in the example) and format it as Text before you type them, so every digit is kept exactly as entered.

2. Add the barcode formula

Click the cell where the first barcode should appear (C3) and enter:

="("&B3&")"

This wraps the code in brackets, which this barcode font uses as its start and stop characters. It won’t look like a barcode yet.

3. Copy it down

Drag the fill handle at the bottom-right of C3 down to the end of your list.

4. Apply the barcode font

Select the whole column with the formulas and change the font to IDAutomationHC39M. The text instantly turns into scannable barcodes.

The barcodes are dynamic: change a code in column B and its barcode in column C updates automatically.

Don’t have the font? Install it (free)

1. Download the free Code 39 font from IDAutomation’s website (the link is in the video description).
2. Extract the zip file.
3. Double-click the font file and click Install.
4. Restart Excel. The font now appears in your font list.

Go further

My Excel Tips & Shortcuts: 100+ Powerful Hacks course collects a hundred small techniques like this one that add up to hours saved every week.