Google Spreadsheets QR Code Generator Add-On



Installation
Open this link and add the add-on to Google Spreadsheets.

Release Notes

2019-07-23: Version 2.0.0
  • major release
  • added support for templates
  • added billing
1.7.2:
  • fixed issue with QR code generation
1.7.1:
  • switch to Bitly URL shortener as Google URL shortener will sunset March 29 2019
  • added option to choose folder
  • few UI improvements
2015-12-24 - Version 1.1
  • added option to shorten URLs using goo.gl service
  • added option and support for two columns; one column for values to be encoded second for values to be displayed in Google Document
  • fixed bug when only a numeric value is encoded; add-on was throwing no trim() function error

QR Codes Tab

Selecting Values

To create QR codes from values in a sheet select a single cell.


Or multiple cells in a column.


Selected range can contain empty cells. Those will be skipped.


Or the entire column.

Non empty cells in the selected column will be encoded into QR codes.

NOTE: you can encode max. 100 values in one batch. You need to encode more values split them into multiple batches.

Options

Size

Size of QR codes in pixels.

IMPORTANT: If you want to encode long values make sure you select larger size as QR codes have certain character limitations. For example if you want to encode 100 characters into a QR code of Tiny size you will get an empty image as it is not possible to encode so many characters into such small size.

Create Document

When checked add-on creates new Google Document and inserts QR codes into the document. Use this option if you need to print out QR codes.

Following table displays number of QR codes per row for each size.

 Size Number of QR Codes per Row
 Tiny  10
 Small 6
 Medium 4
 Large 3
 Extra Large 2

Draw Border

When checked add-on draws border around QR codes.

NOTE: This option is available only when the option Create Document is checked.

Save as PNG

When checked add-on saves QR codes as PNG files in a folder. Use this option if you need to work with QR codes in graphical format. For example you need to send it to your graphic designer or include on a website.

TIP: You can easily download all PNG files in a ZIP archive. Select the folder and choose the Download option in Google Drive.

Use Second Column

When this option is checked you have to select range with two columns. Values in the first column will be encoded as QR codes. Values from the second column will be inserted below generated QR codes in Google Document (if option Save as Document is checked) or will be used as filenames for PNG files (if option Save as PNG is checked) or both.

NOTE: If the selected range contains empty cells entire rows will be ignored.


Resulting QR code contains value from first column and label from second column.


Shorten URL

If enabled URLs in selected range will be shortened using Bitly service. This is particularly handy if you want to encode long URLs into QR codes. These long URLs will be converted into short URLs which contains less characters and QR codes are then more readable by scanners.

In order to shorten a URL the URL must be in valid format and must start with the protocol part. Following protocols are supported by Bitly:
  • http://
  • https://
  • ftp://
If protocol is missing e.g. the URL to encode is www.google.com the add-on appends http:// automatically.

Generating QR Codes

To generate QR codes either option Create Document must be checked or option Save as PNG or both. Then the button GENERATE is enabled and you can start the process. When the process is over you can open created document or folder.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that generating a single QR code takes a few seconds. If you select many values the process might take several minutes to finish.

Cancelling The Process

If you want to cancel generation of QR codes just press the CANCEL button. This button is available if you select more than two values.

ID Cards Tab

This section is for customers of Mobile attendance. Customers can easily and quickly create employee ID cards.

NEW: Now you can use AnyMerge Mail add-on to create digital ID cards. Instead of printing ID cards with QR codes use the AnyMerge Mail add-on to send ID cards to employee via email.


Selecting Employees

To create ID cards for employees you must select a row with exactly three columns where the first row is the ID of an employee, the second name and the third value is surname.


Or multiple rows.


You can select a range with empty rows. Empty rows will be skipped.


Rows will be skipped also if:
  • any of the three values is empty
  • any of the three values contains more than 100 characters

Troubleshooting

ScriptError: Authorization is required to perform that action.

This issue is caused when you use multiple Google accounts. You installed and authorized the add-on using a different Google account that you are currently using.

Either sign in using the other account or authorize the add-on using all accounts you use.

How to get Bitly generic access token


If you do not have Bitly account yet, please create one.

Then go to user settings:


Choose profile settings:


Go to advanced settings:


Click OAuth:


Choose Generic Access Token:


Enter your password and keep the default group and click generate token.

Here it is getting a bit tricky. If you have just signed up for Bitly with your google account you have no idea what the Bitly password is. You need to first change your Bitly password. You need to go back to user's settings and there is option to change password.

The current password is your Google password if you signed up via Google. Just type in your Google password and choose new Bitly password. Once done just go back to Generic access token screen and provide the new Bitly password. Now it will let you generate the access token.




Copy generated token and paste it in the add-on. Finally save the changes.



You are now set.

IMPORTANT: keep in mind that Bitly applies certain rate limits when you use the Bitly API and the API might return an error if there is a heavy usage of the API. Please have a look at the rate limits.

Subpages (2): Pricing Templates