QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are possibly the coolest way to transfer information, and they’ve been around a lot longer than you’d think. The first QR codes were created back in 1994 for the Denso Wave automotive company, but these little squares of pixels didn’t rise to popularity until 2017.
These 2D barcodes can contain up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters of arbitrary text. That text can be anything from a URL to a phone number to just plain text. All a user needs is a device like a smartphone to scan a code to access the information.
The actual use cases of these barcodes are only limited by imagination.
But first, you have to know how to make one. That’s why today we’re going to look at how to generate a QR code with Google Sheets.
Generating QR Codes in Google Sheets
First up, open your Google Account (or make one if you don’t have one), and open Google your Google Drive.
From there, you can open a new Google Sheets document.
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Once your Google Sheet is open, create two columns labeled ‘URL’ and ‘QR Code.’ In this case, we will be using A1 and B2. This isn’t strictly necessary, but it’ll keep you from getting lost in the process.
From there you can copy and paste this formula into a box below the QR code column:
=image("https://image-charts.com/chart?chs=150x150&cht=qr&choe=UTF-8&chl="&ENCODEURL(A2))
With this code, anything you type into the A2 cell of the document, whether it be a URL or otherwise, will appear as a QR code. It’s as easy as that to convert a link to QR code.
And from here you scan your brand new QR code generated to any URL specified in your URL column. And don’t forget, your URL column in this case is not restricted to links. This will work for any alphanumeric plain text written in the A2 cell.
If you need to create multiple QR codes, simply pull the square located at the bottom right of the highlighted cell straight down. This will copy and paste the code in the cells below updated with the corresponding A column cell.
It’s that easy to create a QR code with google.
QR Code Auto Generator Template
If that sounds like a lot, or you want to save some time, check out this QR generator template.
This template contains simple instructions for generating QR codes, printing them, and other relevant information.
QR Code Applications
As we said before, the use cases of QR codes are only limited by imagination. But we’re not going to leave it wholly up to you. Here are some practical applications for QR codes today:
Here are some practical applications for QR codes today:
- Bring Offline Customers Online - A major benefit of QR codes is that they connect the physical and digital worlds. Placing the QR code anywhere potential customers can scan it, be it on paper or packaging, and be directed to your website.
- App Downloads - QR codes can be designed to direct the scanner straight to an app download on platforms such as the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Simply include the QR code in your choice of advertisement with a “Scan here to get the app” CTA.
- Connect users across channels - QR codes can appear and be scanned almost anywhere. From social media to brick-and-mortar stores, you can use the same QR code to attract customers.
- Email List Segmentation - You can use QR codes to capture different email addresses, and as QR codes are new technology, users the sign up this way are early adopters. Which means they are tech-savvy and receptive to email marketing.
As result, you’re better able to segment your email list accordingly.
- Sort and Track data - The QR code was originally designed to track automotive parts throughout the build process. Today, QR codes help us tag and track data throughout the digital and physical worlds. Utilizing QR codes allow you to keep tabs on important information such as total scans, unique scans, the device used, and even location. This information can then be charted and applied to ongoing research and development.
QR codes are extremely helpful when it comes to real-world applications. Here are just a few of the most useful applications of QR codes.
Share More Data with Image Charts
QR codes are excellent for the exchange of information. But if you’re looking to present that information quickly and easily, you’re going to need more than a line of code. You’ll need a tool to make data presentations from pie charts to bar graphs.
Try Imagecharts for free today for instant chart creation. It is the fastest, easiest way to visualize back-end data. Utilize custom API to generate custom charts that you can embed anywhere you need them.
