Can I view a barcode from a shopify barcode number?

Shopify Discussion
1

Someone has given me an 8 digit number which they’ve told me is a Shopify barcode number they generated.

I need the actual barcode though and I wondered if there was a way that I could view it in Shopify?

If it comes to it I’ll go back to them, but it’s become a bit awkward and would be a lot easier if I could just enter it somewhere and see the barcode that it relates to.

Thanks

2

Hi, thanks for reaching out.

The 8-digit number you received is likely the barcode value (such as a UPC/EAN), but Shopify does not automatically generate or display a barcode image from that number unless the barcode has been added to the product information.

You can check by going to Shopify Admin → Products → select the product → Inventory section and looking for the Barcode (ISBN, UPC, GTIN, etc.) field. If the number is there, you can use a barcode generator or Shopify-compatible barcode app to create the actual barcode image.

If the number was generated by someone else, I would recommend confirming with them whether they have the original barcode file or which barcode type was used, as the number alone may not tell Shopify which format/image to display.

I hope this helps!

4

Actually there are multiple types of barcodes. Some important ones are:

  • CODE 128 – General purpose; supports any ASCII character

  • EAN-13 – International retail (13 digits)

  • EAN-8 – Compact retail (8 digits)

  • UPC-A – US/Canada retail (12 digits)

  • CODE 39 – Alphanumeric; letters, digits, and symbols

  • ITF-14 – Shipping cartons (14 digits)

  • MSI – Inventory management (digits only)

  • DataMatrix – High-density 2D matrix barcode

  • PDF417 – 2D barcode used for IDs and logistics

  • Pharmacode – Pharmaceutical industry

  • Codabar – Used by libraries, blood banks, and airbills

I had made a free tool where you can enter your barcode and choose the type. It will give you your barcode image.

image
image1225×866 69.3 KB

This might help you understand what barcodes are.

Here is the link: Free Barcode & Label Generator | PinFlow

5

Hi, thanks for your reply.

Yes, by “barcode file” I mean the actual barcode image (usually a PNG, JPG, or PDF file) that can be printed or scanned. The 8-digit number is the barcode value, but the number alone doesn’t always confirm the exact barcode type because different formats can use similar lengths.

You can share the number here, and I can check if I can identify the likely barcode format. There’s generally no issue sharing the number itself, as it’s not sensitive information.

Once we know the barcode type, I can guide you on the best way to generate or view the actual barcode image.

Thanks!

7

Hi, thanks for sharing the barcode value.

You’re correct that Shopify’s barcode generator commonly creates Code 128 barcodes, and the number 89722755 could be used as a Code 128 value. However, the barcode type cannot be confirmed from the number alone the original generator settings or barcode image would be the best way to verify it.

For selling products in a UK retail shop, Code 128 may not be the right choice because most retail POS systems typically expect GS1 retail barcodes such as EAN-13 or UPC-A. Code 128 is more commonly used for internal inventory, shipping, and warehouse tracking.

If this product needs to be scanned at a shop checkout, I would recommend confirming whether they have a registered EAN/GTIN barcode rather than just a Shopify-generated barcode.

If you can get the actual barcode image or know where the number was generated from, that should confirm the correct format.

9

You’re welcome!

Best of luck with your products, and I hope everything goes smoothly!