How to Create a QR Code for PDF: A Complete Guide for Easy Document Sharing

Did you know that you can convert a PDF to a QR code? If not, you should know more about it. By converting PDFs to QR codes, you will be able to share them more easily. It could bypass some restrictions, especially the attachment file limits in emails.

In this article, you will learn more about QR codes, including how they work and the benefits of using them. Furthermore, you will learn how to use Wondershare PDFelement to generate QR codes for your PDFs.

Part 1. What Are QR Codes?

QR code is short for Quick Response code. It is a matrix barcode that can store information, such as URLs, text, or files. It is in the shape of a square.

Unlike traditional barcodes, QR codes hold a significant amount of data in a small, scannable image. But despite the amount of data it contains, the users will instantly see the file or text linked to the QR when it is scanned.

That said, you can create a QR code for PDF files, making them instantly accessible by scanning the code with a smartphone.

You can use QR codes for other things besides sending a PDF from one device to another. That is because you can print it, and printed QR codes are still scannable. Therefore, you can put the QR code in product boxes or the products themselves. When the user scans it, they will see the manual.

Part 2. How Do QR Codes Work

QR codes store data in a square-shaped code. When scanned, your device translates it into information that is readable by humans. It has different parts that tell the device what it contains. Other parts also help ensure that the QR code works in various conditions. Here is an explanation of its parts:

• Positioning Markers: QR codes have large squares at the top-left, bottom-left, and top-right corners. These tell the scanners the orientation of the code.
• Alignment Marker: This is a smaller square near the bottom-right corner, where there is no positioning marker. Its purpose is to ensure the QR code is readable even if it is distorted, skewed, or viewed at an angle.
• Timing Pattern: A series of alternating black and white squares in between the positioning markers. Its purpose is to let the scanner know about the density and size of the matrix.
• Quiet Zone: The white space around the QR code. It ensures that the code is separated from text or images. That allows scanners to recognize the QR code more easily.
• Data Area: The area in the QR code that contains an assortment of black and white squares that represent binary values. These squares store the actual data, like the link or the file. The more data stored in the QR code, the more squares in this area.
• Error Correction: A QR code has an error correction code embedded in it. These ensure that the code can be read even if part of it is damaged or obscured. There are different levels of error correction, with higher levels offering more damage tolerance.
• Format Information: This section contains information about the error correction level and the data mask pattern. You can find it near the positioning markers.
• Version Information: This part is only found in large QR codes or QR codes version 7 and above. This area tells the scanned which QR code standard version should be used to interpret it.

Part 3. How To Create a QR Code for Your PDF Using Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement is one of the best tools you can use to make PDF QR codes. But what sets it apart from other options?

Wondershare PDFelement is a desktop PDF editor connected to its own cloud storage, PDFelement Cloud. That said, you do not need to upload your PDF to websites that may or may not be safe. It offers better security. Not needing to upload the PDF also speeds up the QR code generation.

On top of that, you can use Wondershare PDFelement to encrypt the PDF. By setting a password, you can ensure that only the people who should have access to the PDF can open it. Other PDF to QR code converters also limit the number of times you can create a QR code per day. Likewise, they limit how many times the QR code can be scanned. These limitations are not present in Wondershare PDFelement.

Part 3.1. Step-by-Step Guide on How To Create QR Code from File

1. Open Wondershare PDFelement and open the PDF that you want to share via a QR code.

2. Click Share on the top-right side of the PDFelement interface.

3. A pop-up window providing you with different options for sharing the PDF will open. Select Mobile.

4. Scan the QR code to open the PDF on your mobile phone, or take a picture of it and save it for later use.

Part 3.2. How To Use Wondershare PDFelement to Encrypt a PDF

If you wish to password-protect a PDF, follow these steps:

1. Open the PDF with Wondershare PDFelement.
2. Click Protect.

3. Select Encrypt.

4. Check the box for Open Password.
5. Set a password that a user must enter to successfully open a PDF.

6. Optionally, check the box for Permission Password too.
7. Set a password that users must enter to edit or print the PDF.

8. Click Save.
9. Save the PDF to apply the changes.

Part 4. Tips for Successful QR Code PDF Sharing

Here are some things you need to keep in mind to ensure the QR codes you will generate will work.

• Test Before Sharing: Always test your QR code to a PDF on multiple devices to ensure that it works correctly and links to the correct file.
• Optimize File Size: Large PDFs can slow down scanning or fail to load quickly. You can use Wondershare PDFelement’s compression tool to shrink it for better performance.
• Secure Your Document: If the PDF you're connecting to a QR code contains sensitive information, use PDFelement’s encryption features to password-protect it. It ensures that only authorized users can access the file.

Conclusion

A QR code, short for Quick Response code, is a matrix barcode that can store lots of information. Scanning these codes lets you instantly access the files or URLs connected to them. Therefore, you can utilize QR codes to accelerate PDF sharing.

You can use Wondershare PDFelement to create QR codes for your PDFs without the security risks attached to online tools. It also lets you password-protect the PDF, which makes it even more secure. On top of that, its PDF compression tool also helps make the PDF load faster when the QR code is scanned.