Turning an Excel Product List into Smarter Barcodes, QR Codes and Visual Inventory Records

In many warehouses, inventory management still depends on spreadsheets filled with product codes, descriptions and quantities. Excel is useful, but when employees need to identify hundreds of similar products quickly, text and numbers are not always enough.

What if the same Excel file could automatically produce scannable barcodes, QR codes and visual product records?

This Python application was developed to do exactly that.

From Excel data to ready-to-use product codes

The application reads product information directly from an Excel or CSV file. Each row can include fields such as:

Product ID
Product name
Product price
Product category
EAN-13 barcode
QR code content
Product image
Output type

Using this information, the application automatically creates a separate barcode and QR code image for every product.

Before the process begins, the user can decide whether the generated images should also display the product ID, product name and price.

Category artwork or the actual product image

A particularly interesting feature is the ability to choose between two visual styles.

The first option uses a simple category illustration. A furniture product can use a chair design, clothing can use a T-shirt, and other categories can have their own recognizable artwork.

The second option uses the actual photograph of the product.

This allows employees to identify an item visually before they even read its description or scan its code. In a busy warehouse, this can be especially useful when products have similar codes, packaging or names.

A visual Excel inventory catalogue

The application can also create a new Excel workbook containing:

The original product information
The actual product image
The generated barcode image
The generated QR code image

The images are embedded directly into the spreadsheet and resized proportionally. Row heights and column widths are adjusted automatically, creating a compact visual product catalogue.

The original Excel file remains unchanged. A separate workbook is created with the additional image columns.

How can this help a warehouse?

This type of automation can support several everyday warehouse activities:

Faster product identification
Easier stock checks and cycle counting
Clearer picking and packing instructions
Fewer mistakes between similar products
Faster preparation of product labels
Better communication between warehouse and office employees
Visual inventory lists for training new staff
Easier connection between physical products and digital information

A QR code can also contain more than a simple product number. It can point to a product page, technical specifications, storage instructions, warranty information or an internal inventory record.

Useful beyond the warehouse

The same system can benefit retailers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers and e-commerce businesses.

For example, a company could use it to create:

Product catalogues
Shelf and storage-bin labels
Picking lists with product images
QR-enabled price lists
Product identification sheets
Internal stock-control documents
Labels for exhibitions or showrooms
Visual purchasing and sales records

Because the application works from Excel or CSV data, it can fit into existing workflows without requiring a completely new inventory platform.

Automation without losing control

The goal is not simply to generate attractive codes. The goal is to transform existing product data into something more practical for daily operations.

The user still controls:

Which products are processed
Whether a barcode, QR code or both are generated
Which information appears on the images
Whether category artwork or real product photographs are used
Where the generated files are saved
Whether a new visual Excel catalogue is created

The application also checks EAN-13 digits, validates image paths and reports missing files with product-specific error messages.

An important practical consideration

Decorative elements and product photographs are kept outside the protected scanning areas. However, every final barcode and QR code should still be tested with the scanners, mobile devices and printers that will be used in the real working environment.

Print quality, label dimensions and scanning distance can all influence the result.

From a simple spreadsheet to a practical inventory tool

This project demonstrates how a familiar Excel product list can become the foundation of a more visual and efficient inventory workflow.

Instead of manually creating codes, matching images and preparing separate catalogues, the business can automate the entire process from a single structured file.

For warehouses and companies trying to reduce repetitive work, improve product recognition and limit inventory errors, this is a practical example of how relatively simple automation can deliver immediate operational value.

How to run it: py –3.11 artistic_codes_v5.py artistic_codes_demo_v5.xlsx —output-dir generated_codes

py files : artistic_codes_v5.py, create_excel_with_embedded_images.py

excel files : artistic_codes_demo_v5.xlsx, artistic_codes_demo_v5_WITH_EMBEDDED_IMAGES.xlsx