GS1-128 .NET Barcode Control for RDLC Reports

Integration & Developer Guide to insert dynamic EAN-128(UCC/GS1-128) images into RDLC local report

Generate GS1-128 in RDLC Report for NET using Barcode Control Library

Embed GS1-128 generation capabilities into client-side report RDLC
Easily create dynamic GS1-128 graphics objects in RDLC reports
Built in managed C# by strong named assemblies
Support .NET 2.0/3.0/4.0 or greater
Compatible with GS1 Barcode Standards
Supported image formats include GIF, PNG, JPEG & BITMAP
Provide royalty-free license with the purchase

How to create, print GS1-128 barcode in RDLC local reports in ASP.NET, Windows Forms application?

Download RDLC Reports GS1-128 Barcode Generator C# library
Install C# DLL to create GS1-128 in RDLC reports in ASP.NET, WinForms Projects
Step by Step Tutorial

Introduction of GS1-128 RDLC Barcode Generator

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GS1-128 Barcode Generator for RDLC is a GS1-compatible barcode generator for linear barcode GS1-128 which is the identifier of types of GS1 data. GS1-128 Barcode Generator for RDLC could be added into RDLC reports, thus, dynamic GS1-128 barcode images could be printed in client report RDLC.

Except for GS1-128, there are more than 40 types of linear and 2D barcode images are supported by OnBarcoode.com Barcode Generator for .NET RDLC Local Report. We provide detailed online tutorial:
How to create, print barcodes in RDLC reports?

Linear Barcodes on RDLC Report: GS1-128, Code 128, EAN-8, EAN-13, GS1 128, UPC-A, UPC-E, Interleaved 2 of 5, Postal Codes, etc
2D Barcodes on RDLC Report: including QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF-417

How to Generate GS1-128 using RDLC Barcode Generator

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This guide streamlines the process of generating GS1-128 (EAN-128) barcodes within RDLC Local Reports using C#, optimized for ASP.NET (ASP.NET web form Framework, MVC) and WinForms (.NET Framework) projects integrated with the ReportViewer Control.

OnBarcode provides step-by-step tutorials about print barcode in RDLC report in C# ASP.NET, Windows Forms application.

How to create barcode in RDLC report in ASP.NET?

How to create barcode in RDLC report in WinForms?

In the above tutorials, you are able to create and print Code 128 barcodes in RDLC reports. Here we will update the demo codes to print GS1-128 barcodes in RDLC report files (.rdlc)

Open file Form1.cs in the Visual Studio

Change barcode type from BarcodeType.CODE128 to BarcodeType.EAN128.

barcode.Type = BarcodeType.EAN128;

GS1-128 Barcode Basic Characteristics for RDLC Local Reports (C#)

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Encodable Character Set

GS1-128 barcodes in RDLC reports support the following character sets (aligned with GS1 General Specifications):

Subset of ISO/IEC 646 International Reference Version (for GS1 Application Identifier (AI) element strings)
Extended ASCII characters (ASCII 128–255)
Four non-data function characters (FNC1, FNC2, FNC3, FNC4) — only FNC1 is used in GS1-128 (FNC2/FNC4 are excluded)
Four code set selection characters (including single character code set shift)
Three start characters and one stop character

Note: You do not need to manually add function characters, code set selection characters, or start/stop characters to the Data property. The RDLC barcode generator library automatically inserts these characters into the GS1-128 symbol (critical for RDLC compliance with GS1 standards).

GS1-128 Check Digit Configuration

GS1-128 barcodes require a mandatory MOD 103 check digit (same as Code 128), which is critical for data integrity in RDLC reports:

The check digit is not displayed in the Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) of the barcode.
The AddCheckSum property is not applicable to GS1-128. The barcode library automatically adds the check digit before the stop character for every GS1-128 symbol.

Note: Verify the GS1-128 barcode in the RDLC report is scannable with a GS1-compliant scanner (confirm AI data is decoded correctly).

Missing auto-inserted function characters (e.g., FNC1) will cause GS1-128 barcodes in RDLC to fail scanning. Never manually edit the Data property to add these characters.

GS1-128 Dimension Size Settings for RDLC Local Reports (C#)

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Customize GS1-128 dimensions for RDLC Print Layout compliance using these core properties (aligned with GS1 standards)

UOM: Unit of measure (PIXEL, CM, INCH). You'd better select the same UOM as RDLC image report item.
BarcodeWidth : GS1-128 barcode image width
BarcodeHeight : GS1-128 barcode image height

barcode.UOM = UnitOfMeasure.INCH;
barcode.BarcodeWidth = 3.5f;
barcode.BarcodeHeight = 1;

More size options

AutoResize: It must be false to enable property X and Y.
X: Width of the narrow element (minimum value defined by GS1 application specs)
Y: Height of the bar module (optimize for RDLC report readability)
LeftMargin / RightMargin / TopMargin / BottomMargin: Quiet zone (minimum width = 10 X for GS1 / RDLC compliance)

Note: Check the RDLC report viewer to confirm the GS1-128 barcode dimensions match the configured values (no stretching in the Image control).

For high-resolution RDLC printing (300 DPI), set Resolution to align with Print Layout settings (avoids blurry barcodes and ensures GS1 compliance).

Summary

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The core workflow for generating GS1-128 in an RDLC Local Report is:
1. Initialize Linear barcode object, with EAN128 barcode type specifieds
2. Configure GS1-128 encoding data from database or DataTable
3. Generate GS1-128 barcode byte stream
4. Bind to RDLC image report item
5. Render via ReportViewer Control (ASP.NET/WinForms)

Key GS1-128 characteristics for RDLC: Auto-inserted function/start/stop characters (no manual input required) and mandatory MOD 103 check digit (library-generated, AddCheckSum has no effect).

Critical RDLC/GS1 compliance rules: Quiet zones (10X minimum for Left/RightMargin), alignment of barcode dimensions with the RDLC Image control, and validation of GS1 data in PDF/Excel exports (ASP.NET) or printed reports (WinForms).

Common Asked Questions

What is the content of GS1-128?

GS1-128 barcode is an application of Code 128, and it is one of the GS1 standard supported barcode symbologies. GS1-128 can contain up to 48 characters of GS1 data characters. It may encode logistical information, such as batch/lot numbers, product serial number, produce date, expiration date, weights, price. OnBarcode RDLC Barcode Generator library supports GS1 data message encoding in GS1-128 in RDLC reports in .NET ASP.NET and Windows applications.

What is the difference between Code 128 and GS1-128?

GS1-128 (also known as EAN-128, UCC-128) is an application of Code 128 supported by GS1 System. GS1-128 encodes a subset of Code 128 encoding characters, and it can encode upto 48 characters in one synbol. Using RDLC Barcode Generator freeware, you can easily create and customize Code 128 and GS1-128 barcodes in .NET RDLC reports in ASP.NET, MVC, WinForms, WPF apps.

What is the difference between GS1-128 and GTIN 14?

Both GS1-128 and ITF-14 barcodes are 1d, linear barcodes, and both support encoding GS1 business data messages. The GS1-128 barcode can encode multiple GS1 application identities (ID) and their data information, such as serial number, price, production dates. The GTIN 14 (also known as ITF-14, based on Interleaved 2 of 5) can only encode the 14 digits Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).

OnBarcode RDLC Barcode library allows C#/VB.NET developers easily generating GS1-128 and ITF-14 barcode with GS1 data text encoding in C# RDLC reports ASP.NET web and Windows projects.

What is the function code for GS1-128?

The GS1-128 barcode supports encoding one function code Function Code 1 (FNC1). The FNC1 character should be encoded after GS1 start character. Using RDLC Barcode Generator SDK, the barcode software will automatically encode the FNC1 character in the right position in the 128 barcode in Microsoft Visual Studio with the RDLC Report Designer extension.

What is the minimum & maximum size for GS1-128 barcode?

The minimum width for the X-dimension (the width of the narrowest bar or space) is 0.495 mm.
The maximum width for the X-dimension is 1.016 mm

You can customize and apply GS1-128 X dimension through RDLC report item property settings in RDLC .NET reporting projects.