using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; // Creating a barcode is as simple as: var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); // And save our barcode as in image: myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); Image myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image; // Can be used as Image Bitmap myBarcodeBitmap = myBarcode.ToBitmap(); // Can be used as Bitmap // 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 var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf // After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize and save which is easily done with: var myNewBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); myNewBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100); myNewBarcode.SaveAsImage("myBarcodeResized.jpeg"); // To set more options and optimization with your Barcode Reading, // Please utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions paramter of read: var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions { // Choose a 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 barcode is found, unless set to true ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true, // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for. // Specifying one or more, performance will increase. ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional, // Utilizes multiple threads to reads barcodes from multiple images in parallel. Multithreaded = true, // Maximum threads for parallel. Default is 4 MaxParallelThreads = 2, // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes. // Will improve performance significantly and avoid unwanted results and avoid noisy parts of the image. CropArea = new Rectangle(), // Special Setting for Code39 Barcodes. // If a Code39 barcode is detected. Try to use extended mode for the full ASCII Character Set UseCode39ExtendedMode = true }; // And, apply: var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; /*** CREATING BARCODE IMAGES ***/ // Shorthand:: Create and save a barcode in a single line of code BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); /***** IN-DEPTH BARCODE CREATION OPTIONS *****/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode which can be styles and exported as an Image object or File GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Any Number, String or Binary Value", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128); // Style the Barcode in a fluent LINQ style fashion MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 150).SetMargins(20).AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("Example EAN8 Barcode").AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGoldenrodYellow); // Save MyBarCode as an image file MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsGif("MyBarCode.gif"); MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.html"); MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg("MyBarCode.jpg"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsTiff("MyBarCode.tiff"); MyBarCode.SaveAsWindowsBitmap("MyBarCode.bmp"); // Save MyBarCode as a .NET native objects Image MyBarCodeImage = MyBarCode.Image; Bitmap MyBarCodeBitmap = MyBarCode.ToBitmap(); byte[] PngBytes = MyBarCode.ToPngBinaryData(); using (System.IO.Stream PdfStream = MyBarCode.ToPdfStream()) { // Stream barcode image output also works for GIF,JPEG, PDF, PNG, BMP and TIFF } // Save MyBarCode as HTML files and tags MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.Html"); string ImgTagForHTML = MyBarCode.ToHtmlTag(); string DataURL = MyBarCode.ToDataUrl(); // Save MyBarCode to a new PDF, or stamp it in any position on any page(s) of an existing Document MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPage("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, 1); // position 200x50 on page 1 MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPages("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, new[] { 1, 2, 3 }, "Password123"); // multiple pages of an encrypted PDF

using IronBarCode; using System; using System.Drawing; /*** STYING GENERATED BARCODES ***/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode object which allows the barcode to be styled and annotated. GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Iron Software", BarcodeWriterEncoding.QRCode); // Any text (or commonly, the value of the barcode) can be added to the image in a default or specified font. // Text positions are automatically centered, above or below. Fonts that are too large for a given image are automatically scaled down. MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("This is My Barcode", new Font(new FontFamily("Arial"), 12, FontStyle.Regular, GraphicsUnit.Pixel), Color.DarkSlateBlue); // Resize, add Margins and Check final Image Dimensions MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 300); // pixels MyBarCode.SetMargins(0, 20, 0, 20); int FinalWidth = MyBarCode.Width; int FinalHeight = MyBarCode.Height; //Recolor the barcode and its background MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGray); MyBarCode.ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkSlateBlue); if (!MyBarCode.Verify()) { Console.WriteLine("Color contrast should be at least 50% or a barcode may become unreadable. Test using GeneratedBarcode.Verify()"); } // Finally save the result MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("StyledBarcode.html"); /*** STYING BARCODES IN A SINGLE LINQ STYLE EXPRESSION ***/ // Fluent API BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("https://ironsoftware.com", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec).ResizeTo(250, 250).SetMargins(10).AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode().SaveAsImage("StyledBarcode.png"); /*** STYING QR CODES WITH LOGO IMAGES OR BRANDING ***/ // Use the QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo Method instead of BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode // Logo will automatically be sized appropriately and snapped to the QR grid. var qrCodeLogo = new QRCodeLogo("ironsoftware_logo.png"); GeneratedBarcode myQRCodeWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("https://ironsoftware.com/", qrCodeLogo); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.SaveAsPng("QRWithLogo.Png").SaveAsPdf("MyVerifiedQR.html"); // save as 2 formats

Published February 28, 2022

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial

Barcodes are now used by almost all businesses in today's fast-paced world. Barcodes are typically applied to products to enable quick identification. Among their many other uses, barcodes are usually used in retail stores as a part of purchasing processes, in warehouses to track and manage inventory, and on invoices to help with accounting.

Given the swift rise in barcode usage, developers must be able to generate barcodes in their preferred programming language.

So, in this tutorial, we will learn about generating barcodes in .NET.

We will cover the following topics:

Barcode generator .NET Tutorial

Creating a project in Visual Studio
Installing the C# Barcode Generator Library
Designing the UI of our app
Writing the code for core functionality.
Run our .NET barcode generator Let's begin our tutorial.

Create the Project

I am using Visual Studio 2019 and the Windows Form application template for this demonstration. You can use the application of your choice and use your own existing project and version.

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

Installing the Barcode Library

Before installing the Barcode library, I would like to explain why I am using it to generate barcodes.

The Iron Barcode written in C# provides functions that help us to create barcodes and QR codes with just a single line of code. It also enables us to save the QR code or barcode in our desired file format. Further, it provides free service and runtime support for generating barcodes in .NET. This will all help us with generating barcodes.

Before we begin, we need to install the Barcode NuGet Package. You can install it by 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.

Install-Package Barcode

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 package Solution.

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

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 Form

Now, we will design UI for our .NET Barcode generator. Pick 2 labels, 1 Rich Textbox, 1 Picture Box to display the generated barcode image.

Design the form as per your choice. For demonstration purposes, I have kept the design simple.

Write Code for Generating Barcode:

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

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
        }

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
        }

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
End Sub

VB C#

Add the following namespace

using IronBarCode;
using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

using IronBarCode;
using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

Imports IronBarCode
Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

VB C#

Write the following code inside the button1_Click() function:

GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png");
BarcodeImage.Image = new Bitmap("MyBarCode.png");

GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png");
BarcodeImage.Image = new Bitmap("MyBarCode.png");

Dim MyBarCode As GeneratedBarcode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128)
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png")
BarcodeImage.Image = New Bitmap("MyBarCode.png")

VB C#

Let's understand the code, line by line.

Generated barcode is a data type of barcode. Create barcode is the function provided by the BarcodeWriter Class of IronBarcode.

BarcodeValue.Text is the value of the Textbox which will be provided by the user on run time.

BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128 is the encoding scheme used for generating barcodes. If we want to generate a QR code we just have to change the encoding scheme to BarcodeWriterEncoding.qrCode.

IronBarcode provides us with multiple image formats such as PNG, JPEG, HTML, PDF, GIF, and many more in which to save our created barcodes. I have used SaveAsPng() to save my barcode in PNG format.

BarcodeImage is the name of the PictureBox which we have used to show our generated barcode images to the user.

Run our .NET Barcode Generator

Press Ctrl + F5 to run the application.

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

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

Display the Value of the Barcode

Next, let's assume we want to show the value of the barcode.

Add the following line of code:

MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();

MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();

MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode()

VB C#

Output

Summary

Iron Barcode 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. For more information about Iron Barcode, please visit this link.

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

You can download a file project from this link.

Examples

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial

Create the Project

Installing the Barcode Library

Package Manager Console

NuGet Package Manager Solution

Download from the Link

Design the Windows Form

Write Code for Generating Barcode:

Run our .NET Barcode Generator

Display the Value of the Barcode

Output

Summary

IronBarcode Blog

Ready to get started? Version: 2023.6 just released