I would display the underlying field codes using Alt-F9. You will probably
see a field code such as

{ MERGEFIELD mybarcode \*Mergeformat }

If you see something like

<<mybarcode>>

then you have probably already (somehow) converted the mergefield to text .
If not, maybe the result you are seeing where the chevrons are converted to
barcode font chanracters is because you are not completing the merge. (I
doubt it, but it's all I can think of).

Then, did you change the font by selecting the mergefield field and applying
a different font? If so, you may also have included the end of cell marker
(although again, I do not know how)

In any case, I would remove any direct formatting, then change the
MERGEFIELD to

{ MERGEFIELD mybarcode \*Charformat }

(just type "Char" instead of "Merge" at the appropriate point)

Then select the M of MERGEFIELD and apply your barcode font at the point
size you need. Even though a completely different character will appear
instead of "M", the MERGEFIELD should still work.

Peter Jamieson