Barcodes in Indesign

[Premier Southern]

I want to start using Indesign Data Merge to merge barcodes (128, 39 and Qcodes) using lists in Excel. Can someone direct me how to do this?

[John Mensinger · Accepted solution]

The simple answer is to format those data merge fields in an appropriate barcode font.

But my early experiences with barcode fonts turned me off them years ago, so when I need to do what you describe, I use Chartbot.

It isn't as straightforward as using a font, but I've found it 100% reliable.

[Colin Flashman]

To add to John Mensinger's post:

Code 39 codes are the easiest to do with Data Merge using a font. The font is available as a Google font: Google Fonts  but BE CAREFUL. For this barcode font to work, it needs an asterisk at the START and the END of the code you want to show e.g.

99333884

would be written as

*99333884*

and formatted with the Code 39 font.

Code 128 is harder because in addition to requiring a START and STOP code, it also requires a check-digit as the penultimate number, something that is made with a calculation.

Creating QR codes via Data Merge is something that is kind-of explained in the data merge help Merge data to create form letters, envelopes, or mailing labels in Adobe InDesign  BUT it doesn't go into the weeds... I've elaborated on it in an article for InDesignSecrets https://indesignsecrets.com/data-merge-qr-codes-explained.php

My own employer instead will use a solution that makes the barcodes as graphics and then import the barcodes as graphics via the data merge. The software used is Barcode Studio: Download Barcode Maker Software: Windows, macOS, Linux, Apple, UNIX