A few customers have asked me recently if they can add a QR Code to a PDF file for each link they have on the page. We all know that PDF files can have links to external material. But, PDF files often get printed… and the last time I checked, you can click on a piece of paper all day long and it won’t execute a hyperlink. However, a piece of paper can display a bar code and most smart phones can read a QR code.Let me show you this QR Code generator.
Introducing the QR Code Generator for Acrobat:
The QR Code Generator for Acrobat is a .SWF file that you can add to any PDF page that will create a QR code from any string that you enter into the input field but links are particularly useful. The recipients of your PDF file will need to be using Reader 9 or higher to ensure the QR code appears on the printed page.
To add a QR Code link to your PDF file follow these steps.
- Download the QR Code Generator for Acrobat. You only need to do this once.
- Choose Tools > Content > Multimedia and select the SWF tool
- Drag or double-click to select the area on the page where you want the bar code to appear. The “Insert SWF” dialog box opens.
- Click Browse to find the “AcrobatQRCodeCreator.swf” file that you just downloaded, and then click Open.
- Use the advanced options on the “Insert SWF” dialog box to change the “Enable When:” to “The page containing the content is visible”, and then click OK.
- Click on the QR Code widget to activate it.
- Enter the fully qualified URL for the link you want the QR code to send the user to.
- Save the file
A few additional notes:
Double-Click on the QR code twice to modify a QR code that has already been placed on the page.
Because the QR code string is stored in the SWF widget, you can have as many of these widgets in your PDF file as you like.
If a recipient of the document is using an earlier version of Reader or a non-Adobe tool to view your PDF file, the QR code will not appear on the page and won’t print.
At this time there is no API for the QR Code Generator for Acrobat so you won’t be able to automate the insertion of the link text or use it for forms workflows.
Sweet SWF Joel!
What a great idea! Thanks!
Hi,
just be sure to place the QR Code Generator SWF file as a perfect square (or close to…) onto the page, otherwise the QR code should be unreadable.
Very nice, SWF, Joel. Can you generate a modified version where the url can be passed using a flash variable ?
I’m new to PDFs. I have Adobe Reader X (10.1.1) Running Windows 7 Enterprise on a Sony Viao w/ Pentium 4 chip. When I attempt to download the QR Code Generator (in your 11-01-11 article), a prompt-window states no supporting program found. What am I doing wrong?
[[ It's an issue of IE not understanding a SWF (Adobe Flash) file. Please follow these instructions:
1. Launch IE
2. Go to http://blogs.adobe.com/pdfdevjunkie/2011/11/qr-code-generator-for-acrobat.html
3. SAVE the file instead of OPEN or SAVE and OPEN the file from IE.
4. Then follow the instructions that are in the blog to import it as a Multimedia annot in an Acrobat PDF.
--lori]]
Joel,
This is interesting, but what advantages does it have over using a 2D bar code field?
Q = I downloaded your file “AcrobatQRCodeCreator.swf” is it possible even for a fee that i could get the source the .fla file.
I tried it, it works great I have been using qrcode.kaywa.com for about a year or so pasting the QRCode on my PDF’s I am using Live Cycle to make forms.
Thank you
Q = I am trying to do vcard so that the contact info can be saved to the smartphone as a contact. Can you help with this?
Joel is no longer with Adobe and these tools are no longer being maintained by us. You can track him down at http://blog.practicalpdf.com.
It’s me again with another question. I am also trying to do analytics downloaded to an excel spreadsheet – Date, time, location and device type – are you doing any of this?
Not at this time. It’s just a simple example of what can be done.
Tried this with a url to an online PDF document – scanner didn’t recognize the QR code generated by the SWF QR Code Generator for Acrobat. Tried it again with a different QR code generated I’ve used previously and it scanned with no problems. Is there a possibility that your QR code generator is not completely standards-compliant?
Thanks!
Larry:
Joel used the libraries at Zebra Crossing without modification. It’s possible that there are issues withthe code generator but I’m not aware of them.
http://zxing.appspot.com/
By the way, you can get an updated version here
http://blog.practicalpdf.com/qr-code-link-generator-for-acrobat/
This is a FREE way to print QR codes in PDF files. The 2D Barcode form field requires LiveCycle Barcoded Forms extension which costs $$$$$ if you can even find it, and it will work with your setup.