Barcodes in Reports

Morning Everyone,

I'm currently working on automating and error-proofing our production tooling inspection process. This involves the elimination of typos via bar codes when moving data to our SPC software.
My current attempt at this involves a free bar code software from here:

https://www.barcodesinc.com/free-barcode-font/

The font itself works but requires an asterisk (*) before and after the encoded text. This causes the PCDMIS report editor to have issues with drawing anything from my program. The formula drawing it from the routine fails and the barcode becomes a mile long. It stops behaving like an "expression" and more like "text". I've been selecting the measured value to be encoded via "drag and drop" from the program code in summary mode over to the report editor.

Current Expresion: =DATAFIELD("114337"), DIM_MEASURED, 0)
Attempted mod (FAILS): =*DATAFIELD("114337"), DIM_MEASURED, 0)* with font downloaded from prior link in use.

Anyone got an easier way to do this? I feel like there should be.
Currently running 2014 FYI.

Thanks ahead of time,
Conner