How to Quickly Generate Bulk Barcodes with Free Tools

Need to generate hundreds or thousands of barcodes for products, assets, or warehouse inventory? Manually creating each code would take a lot of time and is prone to error. The optimal solution is to generate barcodes in bulk using automated tools—faster, more accurate, and entirely free.

In this article, iCheckQR will guide you through the entire A-to-Z process: from definitions and choosing the right tool, to working with Excel files, optimization tips, and troubleshooting common errors. Let’s dive in!

1. What Is Bulk Barcode Generation?

Bulk barcode generation is the process of creating many barcodes at once using an automated tool or software, instead of generating them manually one by one. This is especially useful in large-scale operations involving the management, printing, or distribution of many uniquely coded items.

Common use cases include:

• Product labeling: In retail, warehousing, or manufacturing, barcodes help identify each product quickly and accurately.

• Asset or inventory management: Improve tracking, retrieval, and control of assets or stock.

• Organizations – agencies: Used in schools, hospitals, or libraries to assign codes to students, patients, books, and more.

Some common use cases for bulk barcode generation

2. Benefits of Bulk Barcode Generation

As businesses increasingly shift toward automation and efficient management, bulk barcode generation is more than just a technical solution—it brings real, tangible benefits. Here’s why this method is widely adopted across industries:

• Time and labor savings: Eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors when creating many codes at once.

• Optimized for high volume: Ideal for campaigns or processes needing hundreds or thousands of barcodes.

• Easily integrated with management software: Modern barcode tools often support syncing with inventory systems, ERP, POS, etc.

• Supports various barcode formats: Including popular types like Code 128, EAN-13, UPC, QR Code, and more—adaptable to different use cases.

Key benefits of bulk barcode generation

3. Tools for Bulk Barcode Generation

To generate barcodes efficiently in bulk, you can choose from various tools depending on your platform, purpose, and complexity. Here are the most popular tool categories:

Online Tools

These are convenient, easy to use, and require no installation. Here are 3 free tools widely used:

Desktop Software

For more advanced needs or large volumes, or when direct printing integration is required, desktop software is ideal. Notable options include:

• Barcode Generator Pro (Windows/macOS): Supports data encoding from Excel, format customization, barcode printer integration.

• EasyLabel (Windows): Popular in manufacturing and logistics; integrates databases and offers professional label design.

When to use desktop software instead of online tools:

• When handling large or complex datasets

• When needing direct label printing (barcode printer integration)

• When high security is required (no data upload to web platforms)

• When needing to customize label format/layout to business standards.

Excel or Google Sheets Integration

If you frequently work with spreadsheets, generating barcodes directly in Excel or Google Sheets can significantly speed up the process:

From Excel using Add-ins:

• Use Add-ins like IDAutomation Barcode Generator to create Code 128, EAN, QR codes, etc. within the spreadsheet.

• Supports bulk generation via formulas and auto-updates with data changes.

From Google Sheets:

• Use the formula =IMAGE("https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data="&A2&"&code=Code128") to automatically generate barcodes from column A.

• Applies to hundreds of rows; barcode images can be downloaded if needed.

4. How to Generate Barcodes in Bulk from an Excel File

Generating barcodes from Excel saves time and makes it easier to sync product data. Here's the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Prepare Your Excel File

Prepare an Excel file with all data to be encoded. Include columns such as:

• Product Name

• Product Code or SKU (used to generate barcodes)

• Desired Barcode Type (Code 128, EAN-13, QR...) – if the tool supports this option

• Additional columns if needed (price, description, category, etc.)

Tip: Avoid special characters that may cause encoding errors, and don’t leave barcode data blank.

Step 2: Choose a Barcode Tool

Choose a tool capable of processing Excel data. Key selection criteria:

• Supports Excel data upload or copy-paste

• User-friendly interface

• Allows barcode format selection and batch export

Suggested tools: Barcode Tec-IT (advanced version), Easy Barcode Generator, or desktop software like Barcode Generator Pro.

4 steps to generate barcodes from Excel

Step 3: Upload & Configure

Once you’ve selected a tool:

• Upload your Excel file or paste the data

• Select the barcode type: Code 128, EAN-13, QR Code, etc.

• Configure image size, resolution, and output format:

• PNG: Ideal for printing or embedding in documents

• PDF: Convenient for label sheet printing

• ZIP: Download multiple images at once

Tip: Name output files by SKU or product name for easier management.

Step 4: Export and Download

After setup:

• Export all barcodes with a single click

• Download as ZIP file or print directly if the tool supports it

Some tools allow label layout editing before printing—useful when printing in bulk on A4 sheets or label paper.

Learn more: Bulk Barcode Generation from Excel

5. Tips for Optimizing Bulk Barcode Creation and Management

To ensure your bulk barcode process is efficient, accurate, and cost-effective, follow these best practices:

Use Standardized File or Image Naming

When exporting barcodes as files/images, follow a consistent naming convention—such as using the product SKU, name, or internal code. This helps:

• Quickly search and cross-reference

• Avoid confusion when printing or integrating into systems

• Manage files efficiently in large batches

Choose the Right Barcode Type for Your Industry

Each barcode type has specific uses and limitations. Using the wrong format may lead to scan errors or incompatibility.

• Code 128: Ideal for warehouses, shipping, manufacturing

• EAN-13: Common standard in retail

• UPC: Used in North America

• QR Code: Great for marketing, product info, websites

Always check industry regulations or POS system standards before selecting.

Test Before Mass Printing

Before printing large batches, test a few samples with real scanners or mobile apps to ensure:

• Codes scan quickly and accurately

• No distortion, blurring, or sizing issues

• Compatibility with your current management software

Early testing avoids wasting materials and time.

Store Generated Barcodes for Future Use

Have a storage strategy for reuse, editing, or reprinting:

• Organize folders by month, product group, or project

• Use clear file names and keep the original Excel file

• Set passwords for confidential data

Store on Google Drive, OneDrive, or internal systems

6. Common Errors and Fixes in Bulk Barcode Creation

While creating and using bulk barcodes, you may encounter common errors that affect scanning or print quality. Below are the issues and how to fix them:

Barcode Fails to Scan

Causes:

• Code contains invalid or overly long characters

• Wrong barcode type for the use case

• Inadequate quiet zone (white space around code)

Fix:

• Check for leading/trailing spaces or special characters

• Choose a compatible barcode type

• Ensure proper quiet zone per code specification

Illustration image

Blurry or Incorrect Image Size

Causes:

• Low-resolution barcode image

• Improper scaling (stretching/shrinking)

• Wrong export size from the tool

Fix:

• Export images at high resolution (minimum 300 dpi)

• Avoid resizing images in Word, Excel, or print software

• Correctly configure image size (height, width, line thickness)

Excel Data Formatting Errors

Common causes:

• Cells contain formulas, extra spaces, or date/time format

• Some cells are empty or have invalid duplicates

Fix:

• Format barcode data columns as Text before input

• Remove extra characters, check for duplicates with filters

• Carefully verify format before uploading to barcode tools

Proactively identifying and fixing these issues ensures smooth barcode creation and minimizes printing or usage errors.

7. FAQs About Bulk Barcode Generation

Are there free tools to generate barcodes in bulk?

Yes. Several free tools support bulk barcode generation without installation, such as Barcode Tec-IT, Free Barcode Generator by OnlineLabels, and BarcodesInc – Bulk Generator.

However, free tools often limit batch size, export formats, or include watermarks. For advanced features (custom sizing, direct print, multi-format export...), consider paid versions or desktop software.

What’s the maximum number of barcodes I can create at once?

It depends on the tool or software:

• Free online tools: typically limit 50–100 codes per batch

• Dedicated software (e.g., Barcode Generator Pro, EasyLabel): can handle hundreds to thousands at once

• Excel/Google Sheets integrations: no fixed limit, depends on computer and browser capacity

Tip: For large volumes, divide into smaller batches to avoid memory or system errors.

Bulk barcode creation isn’t complicated if you use the right tools and workflow. From preparing Excel data, selecting the software, to optimizing for printing and storage—you can do it all with just a few steps.

Whether using online tools, professional software, or Google Sheets integration, you can generate hundreds of barcodes that are accurate, visually clean, and print-ready.

Start today with the tool that best fits your needs, and streamline your operations with professional barcode management.