What is the primary purpose of the .NET Barcode Generator tutorial?

The primary purpose of the .NET Barcode Generator tutorial is to guide developers in generating barcodes using the IronBarcode C# library, enhancing barcode generation capabilities in .NET applications.

How can I install the IronBarcode library for my project?

The IronBarcode library can be installed via three methods: using the Package Manager Console, through the NuGet Package Manager, or by downloading the IronBarCode.Dll and adding it to your project as a reference.

What UI components are suggested for the .NET Barcode generator application?

The suggested UI components for the .NET Barcode generator application include two labels, one rich text box, and one picture box to display the generated barcode image.

How do you generate a barcode using IronBarcode?

To generate a barcode using IronBarcode, create a barcode with the specific encoding using `IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode()`, and display or save it as a file.

Can IronBarcode generate QR codes as well as barcodes?

Yes, IronBarcode can generate both barcodes and QR codes, providing flexibility in encoding different data formats.

What code is needed to display a barcode value as text?

To display the barcode value as text, use the method `MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode()` after generating the barcode.

What is the benefit of using IronBarcode for barcode generation in .NET?

IronBarcode offers developers a user-friendly API to create high-accuracy barcodes and QR codes, ensuring low error rates and optimized performance in .NET applications.

How do I run the .NET Barcode Generator application after writing the code?

To run the .NET Barcode Generator application, you need to press `Ctrl + F5` in Visual Studio, which will execute the application without entering debug mode.

Is there an offer available for purchasing IronBarcode?

Yes, currently, you can purchase the complete Iron Suite, which offers five libraries for the price of two, making it a cost-effective solution for comprehensive barcode and QR code generation functionality.

The C# Barcode Library

Q: Which software is used to create the project for the .NET Barcode Generator?

The tutorial uses the latest version of Visual Studio and the Windows Forms Application template to create the project for the .NET Barcode Generator.

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using IronBarCode;
using System.Drawing;

// Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode!
var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file
var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap
var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image file
var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf

// To configure and fine-tune barcode reading, utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions class
var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions
{
    // Choose a reading speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail
    // There is a tradeoff in performance as more detail is set
    Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced,

    // Reader will stop scanning once a single barcode is found (if set to true)
    ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true,

    // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for
    // Specifying a subset of barcode types to search for would improve performance
    ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional,

    // Utilize multiple threads to read barcodes from multiple images in parallel
    Multithreaded = true,

    // Maximum threads for parallelized barcode reading
    // Default is 4
    MaxParallelThreads = 2,

    // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes
    // Specifying a crop area will significantly improve performance and avoid noisy parts of the image
    CropArea = new Rectangle(),

    // Special setting for Code39 barcodes
    // If a Code39 barcode is detected, try to read with both the base and extended ASCII character sets
    UseCode39ExtendedMode = true
};

// Read with the options applied
var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

// Create a barcode with one line of code
var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8);

// After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize
myBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100);

// Save our newly-created barcode as an image
myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg");

// Get the barcode as an image for further processing
var myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image;

using IronBarCode;
using System.Drawing;

// Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode!
var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file
var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap
var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image file
var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf

// To configure and fine-tune barcode reading, utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions class
var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions
{
    // Choose a reading speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail
    // There is a tradeoff in performance as more detail is set
    Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced,

    // Reader will stop scanning once a single barcode is found (if set to true)
    ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true,

    // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for
    // Specifying a subset of barcode types to search for would improve performance
    ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional,

    // Utilize multiple threads to read barcodes from multiple images in parallel
    Multithreaded = true,

    // Maximum threads for parallelized barcode reading
    // Default is 4
    MaxParallelThreads = 2,

    // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes
    // Specifying a crop area will significantly improve performance and avoid noisy parts of the image
    CropArea = new Rectangle(),

    // Special setting for Code39 barcodes
    // If a Code39 barcode is detected, try to read with both the base and extended ASCII character sets
    UseCode39ExtendedMode = true
};

// Read with the options applied
var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

// Create a barcode with one line of code
var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8);

// After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize
myBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100);

// Save our newly-created barcode as an image
myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg");

// Get the barcode as an image for further processing
var myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image;

PM >Install-Package BarCode

Install-Package BarCode

USING IRONBARCODE

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial

Curtis Chau

Updated: August 1, 2026

Given the swift rise in barcode usage, developers must be able to generate barcodes in their preferred programming language. So, this tutorial will demonstrate how to generate barcodes in .NET.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial

Creating a project in Visual Studio
Installing the C# Barcode Generator Library
Designing the UI for the Windows Forms Application
Writing the code for core functionality
Running the .NET barcode generator

Let's begin the tutorial.

Create the Project

This tutorial uses the latest version of Visual Studio and the Windows Forms Application template. You can use the application of your choice and use your existing project and version.

Open Visual Studio > Click on Create New Project > Select Windows Forms Application Template > Press Next > Name the Project > Press Next => Select your target .NET Framework => Click on Create Button.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 1: Create a new Windows Forms Application Create a new Windows Forms Application

Installing the Barcode Library

There are many benefits to installing a barcode generator library. IronBarcode, written in C#, provides functions to create barcodes and QR codes with just a single line of code. It also supports saving the QR code or barcode in the desired file format. Furthermore, it provides free service and runtime support for generating barcodes in .NET.

Let's start with installing the IronBarcode NuGet Package. You can install it using one of the following three methods:

Package Manager Console

Write the following command in the Package Manager Console. It will download and install the package for you.

PM > Install-Package BarCode

Install-Package BarCode

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 2: Package Manager Console installation step Package Manager Console installation step

NuGet Package Manager Solution

You can also install the Barcode Package by using the NuGet Package Solution. Simply follow these steps:

Click on Tools > NuGet Package Manager > Manage NuGet Packages for Solution.

This will open NuGet Package Manager for you. Click on Browse and search "IronBarcode", then install the library.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 3: NuGet Package Manager UI NuGet Package Manager UI

Download from the Link

As an alternative, the IronBarCode.Dll can be downloaded and added to your project as a reference from .NET Barcode DLL.

Design the Windows Forms

The UI for the .NET Barcode generator should have 2 labels, 1 rich text box, and 1 picture box to display the generated barcode image. The image below shows a simple design for demonstration purposes.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 4: Design the Windows Forms Application Design the Windows Forms Application

Write Code for Generating Barcode

Double-click the "Generate" button. The following code will appear:

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
}

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
}

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	' This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
End Sub

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	' This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
End Sub

Add the following namespaces at the top of your code file:

using IronBarCode; // Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
using System.Drawing; // Import for image manipulation
using System.Windows.Forms; // Import for Windows Forms functionality

using IronBarCode; // Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
using System.Drawing; // Import for image manipulation
using System.Windows.Forms; // Import for Windows Forms functionality

Imports IronBarCode ' Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
Imports System.Drawing ' Import for image manipulation
Imports System.Windows.Forms ' Import for Windows Forms functionality

Imports IronBarCode ' Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
Imports System.Drawing ' Import for image manipulation
Imports System.Windows.Forms ' Import for Windows Forms functionality

Write the following code inside the button1_Click() function:

// Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);

// Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png");

// Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = new Bitmap("MyBarCode.png");

// Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);

// Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png");

// Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = new Bitmap("MyBarCode.png");

' Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
Dim MyBarCode As GeneratedBarcode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128)

' Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png")

' Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = New Bitmap("MyBarCode.png")

' Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
Dim MyBarCode As GeneratedBarcode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128)

' Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png")

' Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = New Bitmap("MyBarCode.png")

Let's understand the code, line by line:

GeneratedBarcode is a data type that represents the generated barcode.
CreateBarcode is the function from the BarcodeWriter class in the IronBarCode package, used to generate the barcode based on user input.
BarcodeValue.Text retrieves the text entered by the user, which will be encoded into the barcode.
BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128 specifies the encoding scheme for generating the barcode. You can change this to other encoding types like BarcodeWriterEncoding.QRCode for generating QR codes.
SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png") saves the barcode image as a PNG file.
BarcodeImage is a PictureBox control on the form used to display the barcode image to the user.

Run the .NET Barcode Generator

Press Ctrl + F5 to run the application.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 5: Run the Barcode generator application Run the Barcode generator application

Write the value inside the text box that you want to encode in the barcode as shown below.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 6: Paste the URL to generate a barcode Paste the URL to generate a barcode

Now, click the "Generate" button. The barcode will be generated as shown below.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 7: Generated barcode in the Windows Forms Application Generated barcode in the Windows Forms Application

Display the Value of the Barcode

Next, you can display the value of the barcode with a single line of code:

// Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();

// Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();

' Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode()

' Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode()

Output

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial, Figure 8: Generate a barcode from a string value Generate a barcode from a string value

Summary

IronBarcode features a friendly API for developers to read and write barcodes for .NET, optimizing accuracy and ensuring a low error rate in real-world software. Visit the official documentation page for more information about IronBarcode.

Currently, if you buy the complete Iron Suite, you can get five libraries for the price of two. For more information.

Curtis Chau

Chat with engineering team now

Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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