16.0 Activex Download Exclusive | Microsoft Barcode Control
Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX component (historically known as MSBCODE9.OCX) used primarily within Microsoft Office applications like Access and Excel to generate and print various barcode symbologies. Availability and Official "Download"
It is critical to note that Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is not a standalone product available for separate download from official Microsoft sites. It is bundled as an integrated component of certain Microsoft Office versions, including Office 2016 and Office 365.
Integrated Installation: If you have a supported version of Office, the control should already be on your system.
Missing Control: If it does not appear in your list of ActiveX controls, users have reported success by installing the Chinese Simplified language pack in Office, which often triggers the inclusion of this specific control.
Third-Party Alternatives: For users on versions of Office where the control was discontinued (such as some iterations of Excel 2016 or higher), developers often turn to professional alternatives like IDAutomation or TEC-IT TBarCode, which offer robust standalone ActiveX/OCX files. How to Access the Control in Office
To use the control in applications like Excel or Access, you must first enable the Developer Tab.
Open the Developer Tab: Go to the "Controls" group and click Insert.
Locate More Controls: Click the icon for "More Controls" (typically looks like a folder with a screwdriver).
Select Barcode Control: Scroll through the list to find Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 and click OK.
Draw the Object: Click and drag on your worksheet or form to create the barcode object. Key Features and Symbologies The 16.0 version supports a range of common standards: QR Codes: Generates static QR codes that do not expire.
Linear Barcodes: Supports Code 39, Code 128, EAN-13, and others.
Data Linking: In Excel, the barcode can be linked to a specific cell via the LinkedCell property, allowing it to update automatically as cell data changes.
Property Customization: By right-clicking the control in Design Mode, users can adjust the symbology type, bar height, and colors. ActiveX Barcode Control & DLL User Manual - IDAutomation Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Activex Download
Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX control used to generate barcodes in Office applications like Excel and Access. It is typically not available as a standalone download; instead, it is bundled with specific versions of Microsoft Access Microsoft Office Runtime How to Get the Barcode Control Install Microsoft Access
: The control is part of the standard installation of Microsoft Access 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365. If you have Access installed, the control ( MSBCODE9.OCX ) should already be on your system. Access Runtime
: If you don't own the full version of Access, you can often obtain the necessary libraries by downloading the free Microsoft Access Runtime Microsoft Download Center Check Availability : To see if you already have it, go to the tab in Excel, click More Controls (the wrench icon), and look for Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 Important Compatibility Notes ActiveX Security : Microsoft has disabled ActiveX controls by default
in Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 for security reasons. You may need to manually enable ActiveX settings in the Trust Center. Bit Version
: The ActiveX control must match your Office "bitness." If you use 64-bit Office, you must use a 64-bit version of the control, which can be difficult to find for older legacy controls. Better Alternatives : Many developers now prefer using Barcode Fonts
(like Code 39 or Code 128) because they are more stable across different versions of Office and do not require ActiveX. Microsoft Support Barcode Fonts as a more reliable alternative to the ActiveX control?
Enable or disable ActiveX settings in Office files - Microsoft Support
The IT Guy's Quest for the Elusive Barcode Control
It was a typical Monday morning at the office for John, the IT guy. He was sipping his coffee and checking his emails when he received a call from his boss, Mark.
"John, we need your help," Mark said. "Our inventory management system is down, and we can't seem to get the barcode scanning to work."
John groaned inwardly. This was not how he wanted to start his day. He asked Mark for more details and found out that the system relied on an old ActiveX control, specifically the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0.
"I think we need to reinstall it," Mark said. "But I don't have the installation file. Can you find it and get it working?" Microsoft Barcode Control 16
John nodded, even though Mark couldn't see him. He knew that finding the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download was not going to be easy. The control was old, and Microsoft had probably long since discontinued it.
John started his search by checking the Microsoft website, but it was nowhere to be found. He tried searching online, but most websites were either selling dodgy downloads or offering outdated versions.
Just when John was about to give up, he stumbled upon a forum post from someone who claimed to have the installation file. The post was from a user named " BarcodeBob" who seemed to be a fellow IT enthusiast.
John sent BarcodeBob a private message, and to his surprise, Bob replied with a link to the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download. John hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was safe to download from a random stranger, but his urgency got the better of him.
He downloaded the file, ran it, and... it worked! The barcode scanning feature was back online, and the inventory management system was humming along again.
Mark was thrilled, and John was hailed as a hero. As it turned out, BarcodeBob was a reputable source, and the download was legit.
From that day on, John made sure to bookmark the link to the Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 ActiveX download, just in case he needed it again. And he made a mental note to always keep an eye out for BarcodeBob, the mysterious IT savior who had saved the day.
The end.
The Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX component bundled with certain versions of Microsoft Office (typically Access and Excel) rather than a standalone download. While it allows users to embed scannable barcodes directly into documents, it is generally not recommended for modern workflows due to security risks and instability. Critical Review Summary
Availability: It is not available as a separate download from Microsoft; it is typically installed with Microsoft Office. Some users find it only becomes visible after installing specific language packs, such as Chinese Simplified.
Stability Issues: As an ActiveX control, it is prone to "weird behavior," such as random resizing, especially when using multiple monitors. It can also cause Excel to crash if the Windows Explorer preview pane is enabled.
Compatibility: It is a legacy COM technology that is not fully compatible with modern versions of Office (2016+ or Access 2013+) and does not work on Macs. Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Find It
Security Risks: Microsoft has disabled ActiveX controls by default in Microsoft 365 as of May 2025 because they are frequent targets for malware and deceptive tactics.
Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is not a standalone product available for individual download; rather, it is a built-in component of Microsoft Access and certain versions of the Microsoft Office Microsoft Learn How to Access the Barcode Control
If you have a compatible version of Office installed (typically Office 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365), you can enable the control through the following steps: Enable the Developer Tab Customize Ribbon and check the Insert the Control : In the Developer tab, click (in the Controls group) and select the More Controls icon (the wrench and screwdriver). Find the Library : Scroll through the list to find Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 and click OK to place it on your document or sheet. Microsoft Learn Key Facts and Limitations Availability : The control is most commonly bundled with Microsoft Access
. Users who only have standalone versions of Excel or Word without Access may find the control missing from their list. Legacy Technology : ActiveX is an older technology that is disabled by default in Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 for security reasons. You may need to adjust your Trust Center settings to use it. Capabilities
: It supports various barcode types, including QR codes and standard linear barcodes like Code 128. QR codes generated by this control are "static," meaning they do not expire. Microsoft Learn Modern Alternatives
Because Microsoft has moved away from supporting ActiveX, many developers now use modern methods for barcoding in Office:
Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Find It?
If you cannot find the control in the list, there are two common reasons:
- Office Version Restriction: The Barcode Control is frequently excluded from the "Click-to-Run" versions of Office (common with standard Microsoft 365 Home or Business subscriptions). It is most reliably found in the MSI-based Volume License versions of Office 2016 or 2019.
- Bit-Version Mismatch: If you are using 64-bit Office, some legacy 32-bit ActiveX controls may not function correctly. However, Barcode Control 16.0 is generally compatible with modern 64-bit Office installations.
What is Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0?
The Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0 is an ActiveX control included with Microsoft Office (specifically Access and Excel). It allows developers and power users to generate barcodes (such as Code 39, Code 128, and UPC) directly within their documents, forms, and reports without requiring third-party fonts.
Historically, this control was widely used in Access databases for inventory management and asset tracking. However, with the transition to modern Office versions, many users find the control missing or non-functional.
Manual Registration (If You Already Have the File)
If you have access to a legitimate copy of MSBARCODE.OCX (e.g., from an existing Office installation), you must register it manually:
For 32-bit Office on 64-bit Windows:
cd C:\Windows\SysWOW64
regsvr32 MSBARCODE.OCX
For 32-bit Windows:
cd C:\Windows\System32
regsvr32 MSBARCODE.OCX
Is There an Official Microsoft Download Link?
No. Microsoft does not offer a standalone, public download for "Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0" (MSBARCODE.OCX). This file is only installed as part of the Microsoft Office 2016 (or later) Access suite or as part of the Microsoft Access Database Engine redistributable.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide (Legacy System)
Prerequisites: Windows 10 32-bit or Windows 7 SP1. Avoid Windows 11 unless using a VM.
- Disable UAC temporarily (run as Administrator).
- Copy OCX file to
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\(64-bit) orC:\Windows\System32\(32-bit). - Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
regsvr32 "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSBCODE9.OCX" - Success message should appear: "DllRegisterServer succeeded."
- In your development environment (Access, VB6, Excel VBA):
- Open Controls Toolbox → Right-click → Additional Controls.
- Check "Microsoft Barcode Control 16.0".
- Drag onto a form.
1. Repair Microsoft Office
- Open Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft 365 (or Office)
- Select "Change" > "Quick Repair" (then "Online Repair" if necessary)
- This restores missing ActiveX components.