The lab where you work must label 200 sample tubes for a system that has only understood Codabar for years. The software vendor no longer exists and you need to reprint labels in the same format before Monday.
How to use Codabar Barcode step by step
1. Type the code with its A-D letters
Start and end with A, B, C or D; digits and the symbols - $ : / . + go in between. Example: A123456B.
2. Check the preview
Each code shows with its text; anything that does not open or close with a valid letter is flagged so you can fix it.
3. Download and test on your scanner
Get the PNG files or the PDF, print a sample and make sure your scanner has Codabar enabled.
The Step Count: Traditional Friction vs. KorexTools
Reprinting Codabar labels without the original tool (4 obstacles)
- Hunt for an old program that works with your operating system.
- Install barcode fonts.
- Test each label against a scanner that does not match the font.
- Repeat until one label turns out readable.
With the Codabar Generator on KorexTools (3 steps)
- Type the codes with their start and stop letters.
- Check the preview and adjust the size.
- Download the batch and print it on your label stock.
Codabar: the library and laboratory format that never quite disappeared
Codabar appeared in 1972 and was widely used in blood banks, photo labs, libraries and courier airbills. It only encodes sixteen characters: the digits 0 to 9 and the symbols - $ : / . +, and every code is wrapped between two letters (A, B, C or D) that mark the start and the stop. Those letters can signal the document type or a section inside one system.
The tool checks that your code opens and closes with a letter from A to D, draws the variable-width bars typical of the format and lets you download the batch as PNG or PDF. It is compatible with many scanners, but some ship with it switched off, so check the manual. For new codes with no inherited requirements, CODE-128 is usually the better choice.
When to choose Codabar
- •If an existing library, laboratory or courier system already demands it.
- •To reprint cards or labels that already use Codabar without migrating your database.
- •For new codes with free letters or long strings, use CODE-128.
Codabar against Code 39
| Aspect | Codabar | Code 39 |
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Digits and 6 symbols | A-Z, digits and 7 symbols |
| Start / stop | Visible A-D letters | Automatic asterisks |
| Typical use | Libraries, labs, legacy shipping | Industry and assets |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- ⚠️Using A as start and B as stop out of habit when your system needs C and D.
- ⚠️Printing at low resolution that merges the thin bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the letters A, B, C and D mean?
They are the start and stop characters. In most systems they are interchangeable; some use them to tell code types apart, and that is defined by whoever configures your scanner.
Why is my code flagged as invalid?
Because it must start and end with one of the letters A to D and contain only digits and the symbols - $ : / . + between them.
Does my modern scanner understand Codabar?
Almost all do, but many ship with it disabled. Check the scanner manual and enable the Codabar symbology before testing the label.
What I would do if I were in your shoes
«With a legacy format like Codabar, never change a start or stop letter without asking whoever configured the system: the scanner will return the same digits but the database may read them differently.» — DataKorex Engineering Team.