What is the Codabar Barcode? Applications, Structure, and Creation Guide

In today’s world, where data needs to be stored and retrieved quickly, barcodes have become an essential part of inventory management, retail, healthcare, and libraries. Among them, Codabar stands out as a simple yet effective solution that has been in use since 1972 and remains widely adopted to this day. With its flexible structure, ease of printing, and no requirement for high-end hardware, Codabar is an ideal choice for many internal systems that require fast and cost-effective processing.

In this article, iCheckQR will help you clearly understand what Codabar is, how it is encoded, its real-world applications across various industries, and provide a detailed guide on how to generate and print Codabar for free using popular tools like Excel, Word, or the iCheckQR platform. Let’s explore the power of a seemingly “old-fashioned” barcode that remains highly flexible and useful in the digital age!

1. What is Codabar? Definition and Basic Features

Definition of Codabar Barcode

Codabar is a type of linear (1D) barcode designed to encode numeric digits (0 to 9) along with a few special characters, including: -, $, :, /, ., and +. In addition, Codabar uses four special characters to indicate the start and end of the data: A, B, C, and D.

Key Features:

• Simple and Flexible: Codabar is very easy to create and print, even with low-cost printers like dot matrix or non-specialized thermal printers.

• High Compatibility: Due to its simplicity, Codabar can be scanned by most standard barcode scanners, including low-resolution devices.

• Widely Used: It is commonly used in libraries, blood banks, logistics systems, and inventory tags due to its quick deployment capability without complex systems.

Example: A Codabar barcode printed on an inventory tag might appear as: A123456B

History and Technical Standards of Codabar

Codabar was first developed in 1972 by Pitney Bowes to serve applications requiring simple, low-cost barcode printing with high-speed processing.

Today, Codabar is standardized under ANSI/AIM BC3-1995, which specifies standards for character formatting, bar width, spacing between elements, and recognition parameters.

Key Technical Characteristics:

• The use of a checksum is optional, but can be added for increased reliability.

• A Codabar barcode consists of three main components:

• Start Character (typically A, B, C, or D)

• Data Characters (e.g., numeric and special characters)

• Stop Character (also A, B, C, or D)

2. Codabar Barcode Structure and Encoding Rules

Components and Format

Codabar is a linear (1D) barcode type that utilizes a limited but highly flexible character set, commonly used in applications that do not require strict checksum validation.

Character Set:

• Numeric Characters: 0 to 9

• Special Characters: -, $, :, /, ., +

• Start/Stop Characters: Includes standardized characters A, B, C, and D, or common variations such as E, N, *, and T used in practical implementations.

Every Codabar barcode must include a Start and a Stop character, selected from the special character sets listed above.

Encoding Rules

• Each Codabar character is represented by 7 elements: 4 bars (black lines) and 3 spaces (white gaps), with varying widths—some narrow ("thin") and others wide ("thick").

• Codabar does not have a fixed length—it can expand depending on the length of the data string.

• A checksum is not mandatory, but can be added if higher data accuracy is required.

Sample Encoding Table (Simplified):

Note: “1” represents a bar or space, “0” represents a narrow gap.

Variations and Uses of Start/Stop Characters

Depending on the specific industry or application, systems may define different groups of Start/Stop characters to help distinguish barcode types and enhance data processing reliability.

Examples of Application:

• Healthcare and Blood Banks: Commonly use A, B, C, D as Start and Stop characters to frame the barcode.

• Logistics and Shipping: Some systems utilize non-standard characters such as E, N, *, or T as Start/Stop to support automated routing or internal sorting.

In practice, the choice of Start/Stop characters is usually pre-defined by the system to ensure fast and accurate recognition tailored to each specific application environment.

3. Advantages, Disadvantages, and Comparison of Codabar with Other Barcodes

Pros and Cons of Codabar

Codabar stands out for its simplicity in design and operation, making it well-suited for systems that require fast encoding without high security demands. However, it also has certain limitations when compared to more modern barcode standards.

Comparison Table: Codabar vs. Code 39 vs. EAN-13

Advantages:

• Easy to use and integrate in systems with limited hardware or low-budget constraints.

• No checksum required, enabling fast barcode creation.

• Compatible with a wide range of printers and scanners, including older or low-cost models.

Disadvantages:

• Limited encoding capability: does not support full alphabet (only A–D as special characters).

• Lower security and error detection compared to standards with built-in checksums.

• Longer barcode length compared to equivalent data in EAN-13 or Code 128.

Checklist: When to Choose Codabar

Codabar is suitable when:

• You need a simple and low-cost barcode printing solution.

• The system uses older printers that don’t support complex formats.

• The data consists only of numbers and a few special characters.

• There’s no strict requirement for authentication or high-level security.

Avoid Codabar when:

• You need to encode long strings, diverse characters, or integrate with complex validation systems.

• The system requires automatic error checking (checksum) or international encoding standards (e.g., global retail products).

Real-World Applications in Healthcare, Libraries, and Logistics

Codabar is widely used due to its efficiency in specialized environments where simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness are key.

• Healthcare: Used to print test forms, blood sample labels, or patient ID cards. Example: Each blood test tube is labeled with a Codabar to allow quick lookup and reduce manual entry errors.

• Libraries: Used to encode library card numbers and book IDs within lending systems.

• Logistics and Shipping: Printed on shipping labels, delivery notes, and warehouse documents to enable quick scanning at pick-up/drop-off points. Ideal for operations using low-cost thermal printers while requiring fast data processing.

4. How to Create and Print Codabar Barcodes Easily and for Free

Generating Codabar Barcodes Using Excel and Word

Although Microsoft Excel and Word do not have built-in barcode generation features, they can be easily used to create and print Codabar barcodes by installing a specialized barcode font.

Step 1: Install a Codabar Barcode Font

First, you need to download and install a barcode font that supports the Codabar standard. Examples include:

• IDAutomationHC CodaFont

• Free 3 of 9 Extended (if it supports Codabar format)

Download Fonts: Visit the official website of the barcode font provider (e.g., IDAutomation.com) to download free or trial versions.

Installation Instructions:

• Extract the downloaded file.

• Right-click the .ttf file and select Install.

• The font will now appear in the font list of Excel and Word.

Step 2: Enter the Character String and Format According to Codabar Standards

Codabar requires a data string that includes a Start and Stop character—typically A, B, C, or D.

Example: Original data: 123456 → Codabar-formatted string: A123456B

In Excel:

• In a cell, enter the formula: = "A" & A2 & "B" (assuming your data is in cell A2).

• Select the cell and change the font to the installed Codabar barcode font.

In Word:

• Type the data string with Start/Stop characters directly (e.g., A123456B).

• Highlight the string → change the font to Codabar.

5. Integrating Codabar into Modern Management Systems

Integration with WMS, POS, and ERP Systems

Although Codabar is considered an older barcode standard, it still holds significant value in simple yet effective management systems, especially for small and medium-sized businesses or sectors that do not require complex encoding.

Integration with Popular Systems:

• WMS (Warehouse Management System): Codabar allows quick labeling of inventory locations, shipping labels, and delivery notes without requiring specialized printers. It is ideal for internal warehousing environments where data needs to be encoded briefly and retrieved easily.

• POS (Point of Sale): Codabar can be used for internal inventory slips, price tags, or payment systems within factory cafeterias or mini-marts.

• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): In basic ERP modules (e.g., inventory or asset management), Codabar supports quick data access and links to databases using identifier codes.

Combining Codabar with QR Code or RFID in a Digital Transformation Ecosystem

In today’s era of full digital transformation, businesses no longer rely on a single barcode type. Instead, multiple encoding technologies are often integrated in parallel to support flexible, efficient, and cost-optimized management.

Why Combine Codabar with QR Code or RFID?

• Codabar: Easy to print, low-cost → ideal for internal labels, temporary delivery notes, or quick inventory checks.

• QR Code: Encodes rich data (e.g., URLs, metadata) → suitable for product management, marketing, and traceability.

• RFID: Requires no line-of-sight scanning → optimal for tracking materials, pallets in large warehouses, or frequently moved assets.

Multi-Technology Integration Model (Suggested Infographic)

Outcome: The system is optimized for implementation cost, processing speed, and flexibility across various departmental needs.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About Codabar

How many characters does Codabar support?

Codabar supports a total of 16 characters, including:

• 10 numeric digits: 0–9

• 6 special characters: -, $, :, /, ., +

• 4 Start/Stop characters: A, B, C, D (used only at the beginning and end, not within the main data)

Can Codabar be used in retail?

Not recommended. Codabar is not well-suited for modern retail because:

• It does not support complex data encoding (e.g., price, country code, error-checking).

• It is not compatible with global retail barcode standards like EAN-13 or UPC, which are mandatory for supermarkets and consumer goods.

Codabar is more suitable for internal use such as inventory slips, libraries, and blood banks.

How does Codabar's scanning speed compare to Code 128?

Codabar has a moderate scanning speed, whereas Code 128 is very fast, due to:

• Higher data compression in Code 128, enabling shorter codes for the same data.

• Modern scanners are better optimized for widely adopted formats like Code 128. Therefore, Code 128 is faster and more efficient in high-speed environments such as automated warehouses or production lines.

Conclusion

Although Codabar was introduced over half a century ago, it continues to prove its effectiveness and resilience across various industries due to its simplicity, ease of integration, and low cost. From libraries and hospitals to internal warehouse management, Codabar plays a vital role in optimizing workflows and reducing manual errors.

When your business needs a quick encoding solution that doesn’t require complex configurations, Codabar is a worthwhile option. And when combined smartly with technologies like QR Code or RFID, you can build a modern, flexible data management ecosystem like never before.

Start with simple steps—generate barcodes using Excel, Word, or iCheckQR—and discover the powerful potential Codabar brings to your system.