QR Code Data Merge Field

[Patrick Connor]

Apps: Publisher
Platforms: macOS & Windows

QR Code in Data Merge

QR codes can now be generated using data from a data merge source.

1. Add a data merge source via Window > Data Merge Manager...

2. Select the QR Code Tool

3. Draw a QR code.

4. On the context toolbar, click the Data field.

5. Set Type to Data Merge.

6. Set Field to the column in your data source from which to generate QR codes.

7. Click OK.

8. Return to the Data Merge Manager and click Generate

   • A page containing the unique QR codes will be generated for each entry in your data file.

If you wish to control the layout and have multiple QR Codes on a single page, then after connecting a data merge source, draw a data merge layout using the Data Merge Layout Tool as normal making sure to add the QR code shape (with the correct field selected) as a child of the layout. For more information on how to do this please see the Data Merge section in Publisher's help here.

Notes:

• The selected data merge field must provide a complete and valid string for the type of QR code you wish to create, e.g. URL, SMS, vCard, etc.
• The fields from the Fields Panel cannot be used with any of the preset QR code types.

[Affinity Info Bot]

Known Issues in this feature
A list of unresolved issues for this feature, reported by users

Released Fixes
A list of issues for this feature, available in the current beta build

• AF-4750 - QR Code Data Merge Field Preview Fails to Display a Preview of the Selected Field
• AF-4752 - QR Code vCard Data Merge Fails

[Hangman]

QR Code Data Merge Field Preview

Switching Fields when Creating or Editing a QR Code with Type set to Data Merge fails to show a Preview of the selected Field on Mac…

The Field Preview is only shown after selecting the OK Button and then invoking the Edit QR Code dialog from the context toolbar…

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create or Open a Publisher document
2. Connect a Data Merge source
3. Draw a Data Merge Layout using the Data Merge Layout Tool
4. Add a QR Code placeholder to a Data Merge Layout
5. From the Data Merge Type dropdown select Data Merge
6. Select a Field from the Field dropdown
7. The Preview field displays 'Preview' when selecting or switching Fields from the Field dropdown

Expectation
The Data Merge Preview Field updates to show a preview of the selected field when selecting or switching fields.

Note: This works correctly on Windows

[Hangman]

QR Code vCard Data Merge Fails

As far as I can tell it’s not possible to run a QR Code Data Merge using vCard Data…

When adding the required CRLF line breaks to the Data file, while the merged file generates a QR Code it shows No Data Available.

All other QR Code Data Merge options including MeCard work as expected...

Sample Format for vCard Data included in the Source Data File using a Carriage Return between lines on Mac

Note: This format correctly generates a vCard QR Code when pasted directly into the Text Field of of the QR Code tool...

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:LastName;FirstName
FN:FirstName LastName
ORG:Company
EMAIL;type=INTERNET;type=WORK:name@company.com
TEL;type=WORK;type=VOICE:Work Number
TEL;type=CELL;type=VOICE:Mobile Number
TEL;type=FAX;type=FAX:Fax Number
TITLE:Job Title
ADR;type=HOME:;;Address
ADR;type=WORK:;;Address
item1.URL:Web Address
NOTE:Notes
BDAY:YYYY-MM-DD
END:VCARD

[Affinity Info Bot]

The issue "QR Code vCard Data Merge Fails" (REF: AF-4752) has been fixed by the developers in the latest beta build (2.6.0.2900). The fix is planned for inclusion in the next customer release.
Customer beta builds are announced here and you can participate by following these instructions.
If you still experience this problem once you are using that build version (or later) please reply to this thread including @Affinity Info Bot to notify us.

[Affinity Info Bot]

The issue "QR Code Data Merge Field Preview Fails to Display a Preview of the Selected Field" (REF: AF-4750) has been fixed by the developers in the latest beta build (2.6.0.2900). The fix is planned for inclusion in the next customer release.
Customer beta builds are announced here and you can participate by following these instructions.
If you still experience this problem once you are using that build version (or later) please reply to this thread including @Affinity Info Bot to notify us.

[Hangman]

23 hours ago, Affinity Info Bot said:

The issue "QR Code vCard Data Merge Fails" (REF: AF-4752) has been fixed by the developers in the latest beta build (2.6.0.2900).

While this is marked as fixed in the 2.6.0.2900 build and the vCard data is now read where before it wasn't the post-merged data doesn't match the pre-merged data so subsequently the merged QR Code isn't read correctly...

Pre Data Merge Left | Post Data Merge Right

[Lukaszd]

I don't think it works on a Mac. 

I have the latest version of Publisher but I can't select Data Merge in QR Type. 

[joe_l]

Hmm, it would be nice if we could add fields from the Fields panel as well using them as variables. I confess, this is very specific.

[fde101]

On 1/13/2025 at 8:35 AM, Lukaszd said:

I have the latest version of Publisher

The release version or the beta?

This feature is in beta testing - it hasn't been released yet.

[Laganama]

Hi, is the string structure for particular QR code types documented somewhere? Some types of codes offer multiple fields (SMS, Email, WhatsApp, Location, Wi-Fi and vCard). The question is what and how to type those fields in one Excel cell to us it with data merge in Affinity. Thanks!

[Hangman]

Hi @Laganama,

This isn't documented anywhere and currently, it doesn't work as expected despite being marked as fixed in 2.6.0.2900, i.e., the pre-Data Merged payload string is correct but the post-Data Merged payload string, while representing the same data produces a different QR code as shown in the post five above this one. Subsequently scanning the resulting QR Code won't give you the outcome you're expecting...

From an Excel point of view, you simply need to add the line break symbol \n between each field with no spaces on either side with everything appearing on a single line e.g.,

BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nN:LastName;FirstName\nFN:FirstName\nLastName\nORG:Company\nEMAIL;type=INTERNET;type=WORK:name@company.com\nTEL;type=WORK;type=VOICE:WorkNumber\nTEL;type=CELL;type=VOICE:MobileNumber\nTEL;type=FAX;type=FAX:FaxNumber\nTITLE:JobTitle\nADR;type=HOME:;;Address\nADR;type=WORK:;;Address\nitem1.URL:Web Address\nNOTE:Notes\nBDAY:YYYY-MM-DD\nEND:VCARD\n

Adding in any additional fields you need, e.g., WhatsApp, Wi-Fi etc.,

In my test data, I split everything into individual cells for use elsewhere in the Data Merge and then concatenated the relevant cells into a vCard column in Excel.

You could use the MeCard format instead though it is very limiting in terms of the fields available in the data set, e.g., no WhatsApp or Wi-Fi etc., and it can't differentiate between different phone numbers e.g., Work and Mobile both appear as Tel or Phone but it does at least work when the data is merged...

MECARD:N:Last Name,First Name;ADR:Number, Street,City,County,Potcode,Country;TEL:Number;TEL:Mobile Number;EMAIL:name@company.com;URL:https://company.com;BDAY:20240405;NOTE:Notes;;

I'm hoping a resolution is found for vCard Data Merge as it will be very useful for a multitude of custom print materials including digital business cards...

[Patrick Connor]

15 hours ago, Hangman said:

I'm hoping a resolution is found for vCard Data Merge as it will be very useful for a multitude of custom print materials including digital business cards...

this has been reported to the developers, thank you

[Sam Neil]

It would be good if Serif would consider doing something like:

https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/

which offers TOTAL customisation