How to Print Barcode Labels from Excel or CSV

What You'll Need

• Your Excel (.xlsx) or CSV file with at least one column of barcode values (product codes, SKUs, EAN numbers, etc.)
• A printer — laser, inkjet, or thermal
• Label sheets if using a standard printer (Avery 5160, 5163, or similar), OR a thermal label printer (Zebra, Rollo)

Step 1 — Prepare Your Spreadsheet

Open your Excel file and make sure your barcode values are in a single column. Each row will become one barcode label. A few things to check:

• If your codes are UPC-A (12 digits) or EAN-13 (13 digits) make sure Excel hasn't stripped leading zeros. Format those cells as Text before entering values, or prefix them with an apostrophe.
• Remove any blank rows at the top — they'll generate empty labels.
• You can include a second column for a product name or price if you want it printed as a text line below the barcode.

Save as .xlsx or export as .csv — both formats are supported.

Step 2 — Upload to Bulk Barcode Generator

Go to bulkbarcodegenerator.pro. In the input area, click "Upload file" and select your Excel or CSV file. The tool will read the file and show you the column headers.

Select the column that contains your barcode values. If you have a second column you want printed as a label text line (e.g. a product name), select that too.

Everything processes locally in your browser — your product data never leaves your computer.

Step 3 — Choose Your Barcode Format

Step 4 — Set Label Size and Export Format

Choose your output format:

• PDF (Avery layout) — for printing on standard label sheets with a laser or inkjet printer. Choose the Avery template that matches your label sheet (5160 for 30-up address labels, 5163 for 10-up shipping labels, etc.).
• PNG ZIP — a ZIP file of individual high-resolution PNG images, one per barcode. Use these if you need to insert barcodes into Word, Canva, or a label design app.
• ZPL — for Zebra and Rollo thermal printers. Sends native printer commands directly — the sharpest output for thermal printing.

Step 5 — Download and Print

Click Generate. Once complete, click Download. If you chose PDF:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or your browser's PDF viewer.
2. Go to Print settings.
3. Set Scale to 100% (or "Actual size"). Do NOT use "Fit to page" — it will scale your labels and they won't align with the sheet.
4. Uncheck "Shrink oversized pages" if present.
5. Print on your label sheet and verify alignment before running the full batch.

For thermal printers with ZPL: connect your printer via USB or network, then copy the .zpl file directly to the printer port. On Windows: copy /b labels.zpl \\PrinterName. On Mac: lpr -P PrinterName labels.zpl.

Tips for Best Results

• Always run an alignment test first — print on plain paper, hold it over a blank label sheet against a light to check positioning before printing on real labels.
• For Code 128 and EAN-13, make sure the barcode is at least 25mm wide when printed. Narrower barcodes scan unreliably.
• Thermal label printers produce the sharpest barcodes for high-volume printing. Laser printers are a good second choice. Inkjet can smear — use waterproof labels if needed.
• If barcodes fail to scan after printing, check that your printer's DPI matches the barcode export resolution (300 DPI by default).