Online Tool Store
· 3 min read
How to Generate GUIDs in Bulk
Heshan Fernando
Co-founder & COO
You need identifiers for a config file, test database rows, Windows registry examples, fixtures, or documentation. Typing random-looking strings by hand is a bad idea. They need to be unique-style identifiers in a format the target system accepts.
A GUID generator creates version 4 GUIDs in bulk and lets you choose details like uppercase or lowercase, braces, and hyphens.
What GUID generation involves
A GUID is a globally unique identifier, closely related to the UUID format. Version 4 UUIDs are randomly generated. They are commonly written with hyphens, and Windows-style contexts may wrap them in braces.
Formatting matters because different systems expect different shapes. Some want {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}. Some want lowercase without braces. Some config files prefer no hyphens.
Why people get stuck here
Online examples often show one GUID format, but your target system may expect another. Copying a GUID with braces into a system that rejects braces wastes time in a very boring way.
Bulk generation also matters. If you need 50 test IDs, generating one at a time invites copy-paste errors.
| Option | Use When | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|
| Hyphens | Standard UUID readability | Some systems reject them |
| Braces | Windows registry style | Not universal |
| Uppercase | Legacy conventions | Usually case-insensitive |
| Bulk output | Test data | Label what each ID is for |
What a good GUID set looks like
The format matches the destination
Check whether the receiving system wants braces, hyphens, uppercase, or lowercase before generating a big list.
Values are copied cleanly
Avoid extra spaces, quotes, or line breaks unless the target format expects them.
Test data is tracked
GUIDs are hard to recognize later. If you generate many, store them beside labels or context.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Hand-typing IDs.
- Mixing UUID/GUID formats in one config file.
- Including braces where the target expects raw IDs.
- Losing track of which generated ID belongs to which test object.
- Using generated identifiers as secrets. They are identifiers, not passwords.
How to do it with GUID Generator
Online Tool Store’s GUID Generator generates version 4 GUIDs in bulk with formatting options for registry keys, code, and config files.
- Open the GUID Generator.
- Choose how many GUIDs you need.
- Set casing, braces, and hyphen options.
- Generate the list.
- Copy the output into your code, config, fixture, or documentation.
- Label the IDs if you need to understand them later.
It is especially useful when you need several IDs at once and the exact formatting matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is a GUID the same as a UUID?
In everyday developer use, the terms are often used together. GUID is common in Microsoft contexts, while UUID is the broader standard term.
What is a version 4 UUID?
Version 4 UUIDs are randomly generated identifiers. They are commonly used when you need unique-style IDs without a central sequence.
Are GUIDs secure secrets?
No. GUIDs are identifiers, not secrets. Do not use them as passwords, tokens, or access keys.
Final thought
Generate GUIDs instead of inventing them. Pick the format your system expects, generate the quantity you need, and keep identifiers separate from secrets.