PDF to QR code: How to create a QR code for a PDF.

A man in an office uses his laptop to learn how to create a QR code from a PDF.

Discover how to convert PDF files to QR codes to easily share your documents with this handy guide.

Nowadays, QR codes are everywhere – from restaurant menus to business cards. They’ve become one of the primary methods of sharing information, whether that’s documents for work, school projects, or product details. So, knowing how to use a QR code generator is a vital tool to have, whatever stage you’re at in life.

Want to convert a PDF document into an easily shareable QR code? Learn how to create a QR code for a PDF document with Adobe Acrobat today.

In this guide:

What are QR codes?
How to convert your PDF to a QR code in 3 steps.
When should you create a QR code for a PDF?
FAQs.

What are QR codes?

Quick Response (QR) codes are a fast, machine-readable way to store and share information. Think of them like a modern take on a barcode – except, instead of black and white bars they’re assembled into an array of black and white squares.

Want to try making your own? Use the Adobe QR Code Generator to create one for free.

How to convert your PDF to a QR code in 3 steps.

Have a PDF file you want to share? Whether it’s a professional portfolio, student project or business document, you can easily transform your PDF into a shareable QR code with Adobe.

1. Upload your PDF.

To start the process of creating a PDF QR code, you first need to select a PDF file to share. If it’s digital – great. If it’s a physical document you use the free Adobe Mobile Scanner App to scan and save it as a PDF.

Next, you need to upload your PDF file. To do this, use an online file-sharing platform to host your PDF document publicly – this could be a website or cloud hosting platform.

2. Turn the PDF into a QR code using a QR Code Generator.

Next, copy the URL where your PDF is hosted and put it into the Adobe QR Code Generator. Alternatively, some file-sharing systems may be able to generate the QR code internally, but feel free to find an option that suits you.

Whatever you choose to do, ensure your PDF to QR code service is secure and reliable to avoid any privacy concerns.

Successfully transformed your PDF into a QR code? There’s only one thing left to do – share it. Upload it onto your website, attach it to your email or print it onto pamphlets, leaflets or business cards to share.

What are the advantages when you create QR code for PDF?

Converting your PDF to a QR code comes with a host of advantages:

Easy way to share information. You can provide co-workers, customers, clients or business partners with additional information such as your website, documents, a portfolio of images, a social media channel, or even instructions or a calendar. With a mobile friendly page, this information can be clear and easily accessed even when people are out and about.
Trackable. QR codes can be tracked, meaning you know where, when and how people scanned that QR code. That means you get data points about how your QR code is being shared so you know what works.
Organisation. Improve your organisation and keep your advertising materials, documents or images in an easy-to-access place.
Improved customer experience. QR codes are an excellent way to improve your customer’s experience. They no longer need to wait for menus if they don’t want them, can easily access information they need with a scan, or access customer support.
Brand recognition. You can utilise QR codes in marketing campaigns to boost engagement and grow brand recognition. Easily share important marketing materials that can be accessed then and there, with little to no effort from the customer.

When should you create a QR code for a PDF?

There are a range of reasons why you might want to create a QR code for a PDF file:

Presenting. You can use a QR code for a PDF file on the cover page of a presentation when downloading materials could be beneficial or helpful. Then, they can revisit key points of that presentation later.
Sharing infographics. A PDF QR code can provide more information – they’re the perfect companion to include on something like a poster or infographic. Maybe it links to a website to book tickets, or provides more context for a visual. Either way, it’s incredibly easy for anyone to use and, best of all, information can be amended, edited and updated while retaining the same QR code.
Creating a restaurant/café menu. Physical menus require money, design time and maintenance – QR codes can help with that. PDF QR codes save you from having to reprint new material as your menu changes, and it means customers can scan in and browse at their leisure and place an order as-and-when. That’s less clutter on the table, smooth service even when things are busy, and an easily altered menu.
When advertising. QR codes are an excellent addition to your advertising repertoire. They’re cheap, easily printed, and can be used to link people to storefronts. Best of all, distributing your QR code is as easy as printing it out, adding it to existing materials, or posting it up on your social media adverts.

FAQs.

What information is stored in a QR code for PDF files?

QR codes can store a variety of information, such as URLs, email addresses, calendar information, product details and phone numbers. It essentially acts as a link to any file or digital location.

Whatever you decide to share, a QR code can make it fast and easily accessible.

Can you edit an existing QR code to link to another PDF?

Finished creating your QR code, but want to link to an updated PDF? Don’t worry, you can – all you need is a dynamic (or editable) QR code.

These QR codes mean you can change the content or the URL – that means no need to reprint materials even after they’ve been distributed.

What happens if I edit the PDF after I create a QR code for a PDF?

If you edit your PDF after you create a QR code using the Adobe QR Code Generator, the linked content will still update as the QR codes are naturally dynamic. This means you can easily edit the content at any time. Not every PDF QR code generator is the same, but if they’re dynamic or editable you should be okay to edit your PDF.