Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is not available as a standalone download; it is a built-in component of specific Microsoft Office versions, primarily intended for How to Access the Control
If your version of Office includes this feature, you can activate it through the Developer tab Enable the Developer Tab Customize Ribbon and check the Insert the Control group, click and select the More Controls icon (looks like a screwdriver and wrench). Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 in the list and click Place on Sheet
: Click and drag on your worksheet or form to draw the barcode object. Add or register an ActiveX control - Microsoft Support Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download
Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX component bundled with specific Microsoft Office desktop editions, rather than available as a standalone download, with 2025 security updates blocking default ActiveX usage. The control, used for generating barcodes in Access and Excel, may be installed or repaired via the Access Runtime, or replaced by third-party tools like ActiveBarcode or font-based encoders. For details on this, visit Microsoft Learn.
Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX component originally bundled with Microsoft Office (particularly Access, Excel, and Word) and older versions of Visual Studio. It allows developers to generate barcodes (such as Code 39, Code 128, UPC-A, etc.) directly within forms, reports, and VBA applications. Microsoft Barcode Control 16
⚠️ Important Note: This control is deprecated and not supported in modern 64-bit Office versions or Windows 10/11 by default. It is considered a legacy component.
Example VBA snippet (illustrative — actual API names vary by control): Open Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft 365
With Me.BarcodeControl1
.Symbology = "Code128"
.Data = "ABC123"
.AutoSize = True
.Refresh
End With
Because Microsoft has not updated this specific ActiveX control for 64-bit architecture, you have two main options: