Batch Barcodes Generation

Barcode software lets you generate multiple barcodes at once using CSV or Excel files as data source. In this tutorial we’ll generate some EAN–13 barcodes and show the different options you can configure. First, let’s setup the EAN–13 barcode we’ll be using for bulk generation. Barcode generator needs a configured barcode design in order to batch–generate barcodes.

We start with configuring EAN-13 barcode we'll be using for batch generation

Once done, click the Batch processing button at the right corner of the toolbar to switch to the batch mode for a given barcode.

Batch Mode

Batch mode consists of four steps and on the first step you provide the barcode data to be used for generation:

On the first step of the batch barcode generator we provide the source data for the barcodes

The data is not loaded, so the Next button is disabled. We need some barcode data to start with.

You can use the buttons at the bottom to load a CSV or Excel file, or paste barcode data in a one–per–line format. Let’s do this. Select and copy the lines below:

123456789012;12345
234567890121;51234
345678901212;45123
456789012123;34512
567890121234;23451
678901212345;12345

Then go back to the Barcode software and click the Paste button at the bottom, or simply press the Ctrl/Cmd+V keyboard shortcut:

Data pasted to the batch window of the barcode generator

You should see your data loaded, but the first barcode line becomes a header. The software cannot identify the column use for barcode data and warns about that at the bottom.

Sure, our test data does not have column names specified, so let’s ask the software to make them for us. Uncheck the First row is header option at the top right corner of the window to tell the application to generate headers:

Now everything looks fine, make sure the Export to separate files option at the top right corner of the window is checked and click the Next button at the bottom.

Batch Parameters

On the second step (if the barcodes are exported to separate files), you’ll see the parameters panel as displayed below:

From top to bottom, you configure:

File format — the list of the formats you use for barcode saving, pick the one you need;
Output directory — Barcode will place the generated files into the folder you specify here;
Browse — this button lets you easily select the output folder;
Name generated files — configures how to name the generated files.

The last parameter lets you customize the names of the generated files. Let’s click and have a look:

The options are:

Using barcode data — the files will be named after the main barcode data and (optionally) addon;
Using index — the files will be named using an incrementing counter, like “file01”, “file02” etc;
Using ‘XXX’ column — the files will be named using one of the source data columns (see below).

Depending on your choice, the software will make a “base” name for each generated barcode. That base name is then combined with the output folder and extension you specified to make a complete output file name.

Once you configured the options, you can click the Next button and proceed to the generation itself.

Generation Results

The barcodes generation process may take some time depending on the length of the input list. Once done, you’ll see the results screen:

You will see the barcode generation log once the batch processing is done

It is recommended to double–check the generation log for errors, as Barcode automatically fixes the input data while processing them, so if the incorrect data is provided on the first step, you may end up with the barcodes you didn’t expect to get.

There is a checkbox at the bottom of the window that lets you see the generated files when you click the Done button. Check it, if needed.

Custom Text Variables

You can use custom text variables in batch mode by providing extra columns in the source data. Let’s add two custom texts to our barcode:

The variables are {top} and {bottom} and they are not replaced in preview, as there is nothing there to replace them with. Let’s provide the information. This time we will use an Excel file:

Note the two columns named “Top” and “Bottom”. If the column name matches the custom text variable it will be used for that variable in batch generation.

Let’s load the file to Barcode. Start the batch mode again and paste or drag the file there, or use the “Browse” button at the bottom left corner to open the file. You should end up with this:

Now generate the batch as before and see the custom variables are replaced with the source data:

Custom variables got replaced with source data

You can have as many custom text and variables there as needed. As long as the source data columns match the custom variables, the variables will be replaced with the source data.

Naming Files With Source Data

Let’s add one more column to our spreadsheet:

Source Excel file with file name variable added

The column is named “File Name” (name doesn’t really matter here) and contains the names we want to use for the files we’ll make.

Load the updated spreadsheet to the batch window:

Now click the Next button and select to name the files using our “File Name” column:

Then click Next to generate the barcodes and see the log:

Note the file names used for barcodes — that’s exactly what we specified in the newly added column.

Single–file Output

There is another batch processing mode, when all the barcodes are saved into the same file, which is useful for printing. Barcode generator can only output to PDF format in this mode. To activate the single–file mode, you need to uncheck the box on the first page:

We can output the barcodes into a single PDF file if we uncheck the box at the bottom

Then press Next and on the second page you will get a different batch processing parameters panel:

Single-file output offers more parameters to configure a grid of barcodes

There is a preview panel on the left and a parameters panel on the right. The preview panel displays a sheet of paper with gray rectangles showing the barcodes you will make. Barcodes are arranged in a grid that you can configure using the parameters panel. The parameters are:

Output file — here you need to select the output PDF file to use. This parameter is required;
Sheet size — lets you select or configure the output sheet dimensions;
Grid parameters — configure how many columns and rows you want to arrange the barcodes into;
Margins and gaps — lets you specify top and left margins and gaps between the barcodes to fine–tune the grid;
Step and repeat — lets you duplicate the barcodes to make more copies of them;
Number of copies — configures how many copies of each barcode to make;
Group copies together — if enabled, Barcode will first place all the copies of the first barcode line onto the sheet, then go to the second one and so on. If disabled, Barcode will run all the barcodes one by one as many times, as many copies is required.

Once you configured the options, click Next and get the PDF file with barcodes generated.

Notes

The Barcode software saves the data you used for batch generation in the barcode settings, so the next time you want to batch–process the same barcode, you will see the same data. You can use the Clear button on the first page to remove them.

For ISBN–13 barcodes, you can specify barcode data with prefixes. The software will detect prefixes and configure barcodes accordingly.

Also, for ISBN–13 barcodes you can use both Addon and Price columns to specify the price. The software understands both “addon–style” prices like “50120”, and “decimal–style” prices like “1.20”.

Batch Barcodes Generation

Batch Mode

Batch Parameters

Generation Results

Custom Text Variables

Naming Files With Source Data

Single–file Output

Notes

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