Creating a QR code usually requires a separate website, app, or QR code generator. But if you already have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can create a QR code directly inside Word using a built-in field code feature.
This method is especially useful because you can create QR codes for YouTube channels, Instagram profiles, Facebook pages, WhatsApp numbers, websites, phone numbers, locations, apps, text, and other information without installing a separate QR-code application.
In this guide, I will show you the complete step-by-step method to create a QR code in Microsoft Word.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word
First, open Microsoft Word on your Windows PC.
Create a new blank document where you want to generate your QR code.
Step 2: Enter the QR Code Field
Now type the following format in your Word document:
DisplayBarcode”Learn Today Lead Tomorrowhttps://www.youtube.com/@seedhibaatnobakwasSBNB”Qr
Here, DisplayBarcode tells Microsoft Word that you want to create a barcode, while Qr specifies that the barcode should be generated as a QR code.
You can replace the sample text and YouTube link with your own information.
For example, you can enter:
DisplayBarcode”Visit Our Websitehttps://www.example.com”Qr
Or you can create a QR code containing only text:
DisplayBarcode”Learn Today Lead Tomorrow”Qr
The important thing is that your content should be placed between the quotation marks.
Step 3: Select the Entire Text
After entering the complete command, select the entire text, including:
- DisplayBarcode
- Your text or link
- Qr
Make sure you select everything before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Press Ctrl + F9
With the entire text selected, press:
Ctrl + F9
Microsoft Word will convert the selected text into a field.
You may notice that Word adds field-code brackets around the content.
This is an important step because Word treats the QR code command as a field rather than ordinary text.
Step 5: Toggle the Field Code
Now right-click on the field and look for the option:
Toggle Field Codes
Click Toggle Field Codes.
Word should now process the field and display your information as a QR code.
If the QR code does not appear immediately, right-click the field and choose Update Field.
Step 6: Check the QR Code
Once the QR code appears, scan it using your smartphone.
For example, if you created a QR code for your YouTube channel, open your phone's camera or QR scanner and scan the code.
Make sure it opens the correct link or displays the correct information.
It is always a good idea to test the QR code before using it on a poster, business card, website, document, or printed material.
What Can You Create QR Codes For?
The same Microsoft Word method can be used for many different types of information.
YouTube Channel QR Code
You can create a QR code for your YouTube channel so people can scan it and quickly open your channel.
For example:
DisplayBarcode”https://www.youtube.com/@seedhibaatnobakwasSBNB”Qr
You can place this QR code on your videos, posters, business cards, or promotional material.
Instagram Profile QR Code
You can also create a QR code that opens your Instagram profile.
Simply enter your Instagram profile URL between the quotation marks.
Facebook QR Code
If you want to share your Facebook profile or page, create a QR code containing its URL.
Anyone who scans the code can quickly open your Facebook page.
WhatsApp Number QR Code
You can create a QR code for a WhatsApp contact or WhatsApp link.
This can be useful for businesses because customers can scan the QR code and quickly start a WhatsApp conversation.
Website QR Code
A QR code can make it much easier for people to visit your website.
Instead of manually typing a long web address, users can simply scan the QR code with their phone.
Phone Number QR Code
You can also use QR codes to share a phone number.
This can be useful on business cards, advertisements, posters, and contact information.
Location QR Code
You can create a QR code containing a Google Maps or other location link.
When someone scans it, they can open the location on their phone.
This can be useful for shops, offices, events, restaurants, and businesses.
App QR Code
If your app has a download page or store URL, you can create a QR code containing that link.
Users can scan the code and open the app's download page.
Create a QR Code From Text
You don't have to use only website links.
You can also create a QR code containing ordinary text.
For example:
DisplayBarcode”Learn Today Lead Tomorrow”Qr
This allows you to share a short message without displaying the entire message prominently on the page.
Create Multiple QR Codes in Microsoft Word
One advantage of this method is that you can create multiple QR codes in the same Word document.
For example, you could create separate QR codes for:
- YouTube
- Website
- Phone number
- Location
- App download page
You can then arrange them on a single page and add labels underneath each QR code.
How to Save the QR Code as an Image
Once the QR code is successfully displayed in Microsoft Word, you may want to use it outside Word.
One simple method is to take a screenshot of the QR code and save the screenshot as an image.
After taking the screenshot, crop the image so that only the QR code remains.
You can then use the QR code image in:
- YouTube thumbnails
- Posters
- Business cards
- Flyers
- Social media posts
- Websites
- Presentations
- Documents
- Printed advertisements
However, make sure the screenshot is clear and high quality. A blurry or heavily compressed QR code may not scan correctly.
Important Tips for a Scannable QR Code
Before using your QR code, always test it with multiple phones if possible.
Keep enough white space around the QR code so that the camera can recognize its edges.
Avoid making the QR code extremely small, especially if you plan to print it.
Also, don't stretch or distort the QR code after converting it into an image. Maintaining its original proportions helps improve scanning reliability.
Why Use Microsoft Word to Create a QR Code?
The biggest advantage of this method is convenience. If Microsoft Word is already installed on your computer, you don't necessarily need to install another QR-code application just to generate a basic QR code.
You can enter your text or URL, insert the field code, toggle the field, and generate the QR code directly inside your Word document.
It can be particularly useful when you're already designing a document, flyer, poster, business card, or other printable material in Word.
Final Words
So, this is a simple way to create QR codes for free using Microsoft Word. You can generate QR codes for a YouTube channel, Instagram profile, Facebook page, WhatsApp number, website, phone number, location, app, or even ordinary text.
Just enter the DisplayBarcode field, add your information, finish it with Qr, select the complete field, press Ctrl + F9, and use Toggle Field Codes to display the QR code.
Once the QR code appears, test it with your smartphone and then capture it as an image if you want to use it elsewhere.
