Inserting QR Codes

You can insert a QR code in much the same way you insert an image.

How to Insert a QR Code

1. Open the content file.
2. In the XML Editor place your cursor where you want to insert the QR code.
3. Do one of the following, depending on the part of the user interface you are using:

   • Ribbon Select Insert > QR Code.

   • Keyboard Shortcut Press CTRL+SHIFT+Q.

   The Insert QR Code dialog opens.

4. Select the General tab.

5. From the Content type field, select one of the following options.

   Text

   Select this if you want a simple text message to display on the end user's screen. After selecting this option, complete the following.

   • Content Type the text message that you want users to see after they scan the QR code.

   URL

   Select this if you want a web page to open in the end user's browser. After selecting this option, complete the following.

   • Content Type the website path (e.g., http://mycompany.com).

   Email Address

   Select this if you want a particular email address to display on the end user's screen. The end user might then copy the address to the clipboard and paste it into an email. After selecting this option, complete the following.

   • Content Type the email address after the text "mailto:" (e.g., mailto:technicalsupport@mycompany.com).

   Contact Information

   Select this if you want contact information for an individual to display on the end user's screen. The end user might then create a new contact based on that information. After selecting this option, complete the following.

   • Name Type the full name of the individual.
   • Company Type the company name.
   • Phone number Type the phone number.
   • Email Type the email address for the individual.
   • Address Type the physical address.
   • Website Type the website (e.g., http://mycompany.com).
   • Memo Type any other relevant information.

   SMS

   Select this if you want to create an SMS (Short Message Service) message. After scanning the QR code, the end user will be able to quickly send a text message to the specified phone number. After selecting this option, complete the following.

   • Phone number Type the phone number where the text message is to be sent.
   • Message Type the text message.
6. (Optional) Click in the Size field. Select one of the basic sizes for the QR code. If you select (default), the code will be the size specified in the MadCap|qrCode style in your stylesheet. If you want to use a different size, you can set the max-height or max-width value for the MadCap|qrCode style. See Resizing QR Codes.

7. (Optional) If you want to apply a specific style class to the QR code, you can select it from the Style Class field.

   Example You have created in your stylesheet a class of the MadCap|qrCode style called "RedBorder" (i.e., MadCap|qrCode.RedBorder) and you have set a red border on that style class. So if you want a QR code to have a red border, you can use that style class when inserting the QR code. If you do not want the QR code to have a red border, you can simply use the default parent MadCap|qrCode style instead.

8. (Optional) In the Screen Tip field you can type a phrase that will appear when the end user hovers over the QR code. If you want to insert a variable in a field, you can click . The variable will appear as syntax in the field, but in the output the variable definition will be shown.
9. (Optional) In the Alternate Text field you can type alternate text to display when the QR code is not available, such as when a disabled individual is using a screen reader. Again, you can insert a variable by clicking .For more information see Accessibility.
10. (Optional) Use any of the other tabs to provide additional settings for the QR code.

    • Position tab You can use this tab to adjust the positioning of the QR code on the page. This includes the ability to wrap text around a QR code or float a QR code outside the frame holding the regular flow of text. See Using Float Positioning.

      Note You can also use absolute position on QR codes via the context (right-click) menu. See Using Absolute Positioning.

    • Borders & Margins tab You can use this tab to set borders, margins, or padding for the QR code. See Adding Borders to QR Codes, Adding Margins to QR Codes, and Adding Padding to QR Codes.

      

    • Background tab  You can use this tab to add background settings for the QR code. This includes the ability to specify a color, image, and a repeating pattern for the background image. Normally you would not see a QR code's background, but if you give the QR code a certain amount of padding, you would see the background around the edges of it. See Adding Backgrounds to QR Codes.
11. Click OK. The QR code is inserted.
12. Click to save your work.