code 128 faq
common questions about Code 128 barcodesThis FAQ covers Code 128 barcodes. Technical questions about our software are answered on our tech support page.
Help! How do I get started with Code 128 barcodes?
Code 128 how-to’s:
How do I calculate a Code 128 check digit?
How do I make a Code 128 barcode?
How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Crystal Reports?
How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Microsoft Access?
How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Microsoft Excel?
How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Microsoft Word?
How do I print a Code 128 barcode?
How do I use a Code 128 barcode font?
About Code 128:
What is a Code 128 barcode?
What is a Code 128 'code set'?
What is a GS1-128 barcode?
What is the Code 128 code set A?
What is the Code 128 code set B?
What is the Code 128 code set C?
What is the Code 128 character set?
What is the Code 128 check digit?
What is C128Tools?
Help! How do I get started with Code 128 barcodes?
If you're working with a trade partner who requires a code 128 barcode for shipping, inventory or distribution, be sure to gather all of their specifications before getting started. If you're creating code 128 barcodes for your own project, this FAQ is a great place to start. For more information about code 128 barcodes, check with the barcode standards body GS1 US; they have loads of information about most barcode types.
All Code 128 bar codes include a start bar, your data, a mod 103 check digit, and a stop bar. Code 128 barcodes are alphanumeric symbols, which means that you can include both numbers and letters. The Code 128 character set has both numbers and letters, punctuation marks, and control codes. They can be printed with or without human-readable characters above or below the bars.
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How do I calculate a Code 128 check digit?
Code 128 barcodes include a mandatory mod 103 check digit at the end the data. Code 128 barcodes' check digit is a calculated checksum based on a value associated with each individual character in the input string. The check digit calculation includes the start bars but doesn't include the value of stop bars. The structure of a Code 218 bar code is start bar : inputString : check digit : stop bar. Remember that the start bar is code set-specific.
The check digit is calculated by adding the value of the start character to each character's value, multiplied by its ordinal position in the string. The subtotal is then divided by 103. The check digit is the character associated with the remainder.
For i = 1 To Len(yourData)
e = Asc(Mid(yourData, i, 1)) - 32
checkDigit = checkDigit + (e * i)
Next i
checkDigit = checkDigit Mod 103 return to top
How do I make a Code 128 barcode?
Our C128Tools barcode software lets you make Code 128 bar codes two ways: one at a time using the bundled utility, or in batches of tens, hundreds or thousands by calling the software within your database, spreadsheet, or other application.
Either method lets you create high-quality code 128 symbols without having to worry about the start and stop bars, the check digit, or the character set. We do it all for you.
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How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Crystal Reports?
Use the barcode fonts in C128Tools to make a Code 128 barcode within your SAP/Business Objects Crystal Reports application. C128Tools includes a barcode User Function Library (UFL) and TrueType code 128 fonts that together make Code 128 bar codes in Crystal Reports including code set A, code set B, code set C, and GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) barcodes. The Code 128 fonts and UFL make Code 128 barcode printing easy!
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How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Microsoft Access?
Use C128Tools to quickly create Code 128 barcodes within your Access database. You can create and print Code 128 and GS1-128/EAN-128 bar codes from within any Access project with the right code 128 barcode fonts and Azalea's free sample code. Use the Azalea custom user-defined function or call our external DLL. Both approaches add the start and stop character and calculate the required check digit for you.return to top
How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Microsoft Excel?
Use the barcode fonts in C128Tools to make a Code 128 barcode in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. C128Tools includes a TrueType font that makes Code 128 bar codes in Excel including code set A, code set B, code set C, and GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) barcodes. When you're ready to print, you can do so directly from your spreadsheet or export to your document or label template for printing.return to top
How do I make a Code 128 barcode in Microsoft Word?
There are two ways to make Code 128 bar codes in Microsoft Word. You can copy and paste from the C128Tools utility or you can do a 'mail merge' from Excel. Copy from the C128Tools utility if you're making one or a small handful Code 128 bar codes. Use mail merge if your data is already in an Excel spreadsheet or you have many Code 128 bar codes to make.
Open your Azalea software tool, enter your data and preview your barcode. Choose 'Copy', go to your Word label or document template and paste. Format into a barcode font via the drop-down font menu. Voila! return to top
How do I print a Code 128 barcode?
Code 128 barcodes should be printed at medium to highest quality, with a clear margin of empty space around the entire barcode. Use black ink on white or off-white paper stock, and always make sure your barcode scans before distributing it to business or trade partners on documents or goods.
Use C128Tools to quickly create your Code 128 or GS1-128/ EAN-128 barcodes. Our code 128 barcode fonts and sample code allow you to create barcodes one at a time with the C128Tools utility, or by the tens, hundreds or thousands on the Windows version of programs like Access, Excel or SAP Crystal Reports. Print from within any of these applications, or copy from the C128Tools utility into any label or document template, then print. return to top
How do I use a Code 128 barcode font?
Code 128 barcode fonts are easy to use. Use the Code 128 bar code fonts in C128Tools to print barcodes right in your spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, and custom applications. C128Tools includes both TrueType and Type 1 (PostScript) Code 128 barcode fonts. The secret is to take advantage of our free sample code, application plug-ins, templates, etc. The sample code adds the necessary start bars, stop bars, and check digit.
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What is a Code 128 barcode?
Code 128 barcodes are one-dimensional ("1D") bar code symbols used throughout the ID, inventory, shipping and distribution chain. Code 128 bar codes include a start bar, the data to be encoded, a check digit, and a stop bar. Code 128 barcodes are alphanumeric machine-readable symbols. They can be printed with or without human-readable characters.
Many labeling guidelines, shipping standards, and other industry specifications employ Code 128 barcodes. For instance, GS1-128 barcodes (formerly called UCC/EAN-128 barcodes) are a subset of Code 128. Code 128 barcodes are more compact, taking up less space left to right, compared to Code 39 barcodes.
Code 128 barcodes can be one of three codesets: Code 128 code set A, Code 128 code set B, and Code 128 code set C. They differ in the character sets they represent. Code set A is for upppercase letters, 0-9, and lots of control codes. Code set B is for uppercase letters, lowercase letters, 0-9, and many punctuation marks. Code set C is for numbers only. return to top
What is a Code 128 'code set'?
A Code 128 code set is one of three sub-types of Code 128 barcode. If you work with a business or trade partner that requests a Code 128 barcode on your documents or goods, be sure they specify which code set they require. If they have no idea, give us a call!
The Code 128 barcode code sets include: Code 128 code set A, Code 128 code set B, and Code 128 code set C. These different Code 218 code sets represent different character sets. The code sets within a Code 128 bar code is determined by the start bars. There are three different Code 128 start bars: code set A, code set B, and code set C. The start bars for each of the code sets is unique. This allows barcode scanners to autodiscriminate between them.
Code set A barcodes are used for alphanumeric data with uppercase letters only. Code set A includes lots of non-typeable control codes in it.
Code set B barcodes are used for alphanumeric data including both uppercase letters/capital leters and lowercase letters, as well as the numbers 0-9, and punctuation marks. Code set B is very close to the full lower 128 ASCII character set.
Code set C barcodes are numeric-only. Code set C symbols can contain only contain numbers, never letters. The advantage is that code set C symbols are narrower than code set A and code set B barcodes. return to top
What is a GS1-128 barcode?
A GS1-128 barcode is a special type of Code 128 barcode that encodes GS1 System element strings. GS1-128 bar codes used to be called UCC/EAN-128 barcodes; many written specifications still use the two terms interchangeably. GS1-128 barcodes begin with a FNC1 (function one) character to designate them as GS1 System standard-compliant. They have a specific format and structure, and include GS1 System Application Identifiers. GS1-128 barcodes are used in warehousing, distribution and shipping. GS1-128 barcodes are called for in several industry standards and labeling guidelines.
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What is Code 128 code set A?
A Code 128 code set A barcode is used for alphanumeric data with uppercase letters only. Code set A includes lots of non-typeable control codes in it. A barcode scanner recognizes a Code 128 code set A bar code by its start bars. All three Code 128 code sets have their own unique start bars that allow scanners and wands to autodiscriminate between the three code sets. The Code 128 code set A start bar has its own check digit calculation value assigned to it.
What is a Code 128 code set B?
A Code 128 code set B barcode is used for alphanumeric data that has both lower case letters and uppercase letters in it. In addition code set A symbols can include the digits 0-9 and common punctuation marks. Code set B symbols can be used for most of the characters within the standard lower 128 ASCII table. This is a very versatile character set and can handle most input data. A barcode scanner recognizes a Code 128 code set B bar code by its start bars. All three Code 128 code sets have their own unique start bars that allow scanners and wands to autodiscriminate between the three code sets. The Code 128 code set B start bar has its own check digit calculation value assigned to it.
What is a Code 128 code set C?
A Code 128 code set C barcode is used for numeric data without any letters in it. Code set C bar codes take up less space than code set A or code set B because every pair of numbers is mapped to only one Code 128 code set C glyph. This means code set C offers 2:1 data compression. A barcode scanner recognizes a Code 128 code set C bar code by its start bars. All three Code 128 code sets have their own unique start bars that allow scanners and wands to autodiscriminate between the three code sets.
What is the Code 128 character set?
The Code 128 barcode character set includes letters, numbers, punctuation marks, control codes, and special characters like FNC1 (function one). The Code 128 barcode character set resembles the lower 128 ASCII character set. Exactly which character set is determined by the barcode's code set. The three different code sets (A, B, & C) represent different character sets.
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What is the Code 128 check digit?
Code 128 barcodes must have a mandatory mod 103 check digit in them. The Code 128 check digit is at the end of the input data, before the stop bars. A Code 128 barcode's check digit is based on a value associated with each Code 128 character.
The structure of a Code 218 bar code is:
start bars : data : check digit : stop bars
Note: The check digit calculation doesn't include the value of stop bar. Software like C128Tools will calculate the check digit for you or you can do it by hand. return to top
What is C128Tools?
C128Tools is a barcode font collection that prints Code 128 bar codes in popular Windows and Macintosh programs. C128Tools comes with five different Code 128 bar code fonts that work in spreadsheets, databases, or your own custom applications. Put Code 128 barcodes, including GS1-128 symbols, into Acrobat PDF files.
C128Tools supports Code 128 code set A, Code 128 code set B, Code 128 code set C and GS1-128 barcodes (the old UCC/EAN-128 bar codes). The fonts are in TrueType and Type 1 PostScript format. C128Tools comes with free sample code that for applications like Microsoft Excel, SAP Crystal Reports, Microsoft Access, Visual Basic, and C/C++. If you need only one or two Code 128 barcode symbols, C128Tools comes with an easy-to-use barcode utility. Simply copy and paste your barcode into any document, design or label template.
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