Generate Barcode Labels From an Excel File
Import your XLSX spreadsheet and generate a label for each row — Code 128, UPC-A, EAN-13, or QR code. Everything runs in your browser with no uploads.
Import CSV or XLSX
Drag your spreadsheet directly onto the Pro app. Sheets, columns, and headers are detected automatically.
Generate & Validate
Every barcode value is validated before rendering. UPC-A and EAN-13 check digits are calculated automatically.
Export PDF or ZIP
Download a multi-page PDF sized for your label sheet, or a ZIP of individual PNG files with a manifest CSV.
Example spreadsheet for barcode generation
| barcode_value | barcode_type | label_name | description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 036000291452 | upca | Product A | SKU-001 |
| 4006381333931 | ean13 | Product B | SKU-002 |
| BATCH-2024-001 | code128 | Inventory Item | Warehouse A |
Generate your full batch today
Spreadsheet import is a Pro feature. One-time purchase — no subscription required.
Get Batch Label Studio Pro — $29.99Excel vs. CSV for Barcode Generation
Excel files (XLSX) have two significant advantages over CSV for barcode workflows. First, they preserve cell formatting — a column formatted as Text retains leading zeros, which CSV commonly strips. Second, an XLSX workbook can contain multiple sheets, which you can use to separate different label types or job runs while keeping everything in one file.
The main disadvantage is size. A large XLSX with embedded images or many formulas can be slow to parse. For files over 5,000 rows, consider exporting to CSV first — it parses faster and produces identical label output.
Common Excel Mistakes That Break Barcode Imports
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Leading zeros stripped
Excel treats columns as numeric by default and removes leading zeros from UPC and EAN values. Format barcode columns as Text (right-click column → Format Cells → Text) before entering values.
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Merged cells
Merged cells do not export cleanly to the importer. Unmerge any cells before saving. Use a clean data table with one value per cell.
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Formula results not values
If a barcode value is the result of a formula (e.g., =CONCATENATE(...)), paste values only before importing to avoid formula errors appearing as barcode content.
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Hidden rows
Hidden rows are included in the import. Unhide and delete any rows you do not want to generate labels for, or filter the data to a visible range before importing.
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Non-standard decimal separators
Regional settings that use commas as decimal separators can corrupt numeric values when saved as CSV. Importing from XLSX avoids this issue entirely.
Clean up your spreadsheet before you import
Five minutes of cleanup prevents nearly every failed import: 1) Format the barcode column as Text before pasting values, so Excel never converts them to numbers or scientific notation. 2) Delete leading and trailing spaces (the validator rejects values with spaces). 3) Keep one value per row — merged cells and line breaks inside a cell both break imports. 4) Put the complete number in one column: 11-digit UPCs get their check digit here, but a value split across two columns cannot be repaired. 5) Save a copy as .xlsx or .csv before importing, so the original export from your POS or marketplace stays untouched.
If an import still fails, the cause is almost always formatting, not the data — see the troubleshooting guide.
A note on product numbers
This workflow turns numbers you already have into labels — it does not assign them. Retail products carry UPC/EAN numbers built on a GS1 company prefix; internal stock can carry your own SKUs in Code 128. Keep one column for the value exactly as your system of record holds it, and let the generator handle check digits and rendering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools
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