How to Make QR Codes in Bulk from a Spreadsheet (CSV)

To make many QR codes at once, put one link or text per row in a spreadsheet, save it as CSV, and give it to a bulk QR code generator. In Pretty QR, you design one code first (colors, shape, logo, frame), open Content → Many codes, upload the CSV or paste the list, and choose Download batch. You get one ZIP with a file for every row, in PNG, JPG, SVG, or print-ready PDF, all with the same design. A batch holds up to 500 rows; batch generation is part of Pro.

Developers can do the same from code with the QR API, which a free account can use for 100 codes a month.

When do you need bulk QR codes?

Whenever each item needs its own code with its own content:

• Products and packaging: one code per product page or manual. See QR codes on product packaging.
• Events: one code per session page, or per table or room.
• Restaurants and hotels: one code per table or room, each with its own link.
• Real estate: one code per listing for signs and flyers. See QR codes for real estate.
• Inventory and assets: one code per item, for example a link to its record.
• Staff badges or business cards: one code per person. See QR codes for business cards.

If everyone gets the same code, you do not need a batch. Make one code and print it many times.

How do I prepare the spreadsheet?

Make a sheet with a header row and one row per code:

• The content column must be named content, url, link, text, data, or value. Each cell is what one QR code holds: usually a link, or plain text.
• The name column is optional. Name it filename, file, or name. Each code is saved with that name, such as table-01.png. Without it, the files are qr-001, qr-002, and so on. A repeated name gets -2, -3 added, and characters that are not allowed in file names are replaced with -.
• Other columns are ignored, so you can keep notes or prices in the same sheet.

Then save it as CSV:

• Google Sheets: File → Download → Comma-separated values (.csv).
• Excel: File → Save As → CSV UTF-8.
• Numbers: File → Export To → CSV.

Comma, semicolon, and tab separators all work. That matters for Excel in many European languages, which saves CSV files with semicolons.

No spreadsheet? You can also paste a list, one link or text per line. Then every line is one code, and lines are not split at commas.

How do I make the QR codes in Pretty QR?

1. Design one code in the editor, or start from a template: colors, module and corner shapes, a logo, a frame with a label. Every code in the batch gets this design.
2. Open Content and choose Many codes. You need a Pro account; if you are not signed in, the panel shows how to sign in or buy Pro.
3. Upload the CSV or paste the list. Pretty QR reads the rows and lists any row it cannot turn into a code, with its line number, so you can fix it or leave it out.
4. Choose Download batch and a format:
   • PNG or JPG: 2048 px, for screens and office printing.
   • SVG: vector files for print at any size.
   • Print-ready: PDF or SVG files with bleed and crop marks for a print shop, at one size for the whole batch.
5. Open the ZIP. It has one file per row and a manifest.csv that lists each file name with its content, so you can check which code is which.

The files are made in your browser, with the same drawing code as a single download, so a batch code looks exactly like the code in the editor.

What are the limits per batch?

Rows over 500 are left out, and the dialog says how many. For more than 500 codes, split the sheet into several files of 500 rows.

The content limit is the most a QR code can hold. In practice, keep each link short: long links make dense codes that need more space when printed. Our QR code size guide shows how link length changes the minimum print size.

How do I check a batch before I print it?

• Scan a few codes from the ZIP with your phone, for example the first, a middle one, and the last. Check that each opens its own link.
• Open manifest.csv and compare a few rows with your spreadsheet.
• Check the file names against your labels, so code table-12 goes on table 12.
• Print one test sheet at the real size before the full run.

Do bulk QR codes expire, and can I track their scans?

Batch codes are static: each link is in the pattern, so the codes do not expire and nothing needs renewing. See how to make a QR code that never expires.

To count scans per code without dynamic links, add a different UTM tag to each row's link, for example ?utm_source=table-12, and read the visits in your web analytics. You can build those links in the spreadsheet with a formula, such as ="https://example-cafe.com/menu?utm_source=table-"&A2.

How do I make bulk QR codes with an API?

If the list comes from your own system, call the QR API once per row. POST https://pretty-qr.com/api/v1/qr returns the PNG or SVG file, with the same design options as the editor:

while IFS=, read -r name url; do
  curl -s https://pretty-qr.com/api/v1/qr \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $PRETTY_QR_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d "{\"content\": \"$url\", \"format\": \"svg\", \"design\": {\"backgroundColor\": \"#ffffff\", \"foregroundStyle\": {\"colors\": [\"#1e293b\"]}, \"moduleShape\": \"rounded\"}}" \
    -o "$name.svg"
done < links.csv

links.csv here has no header: each line is name,url. Create an API key on the API keys page.

The API docs list every design field, with a Postman collection and an OpenAPI file. AI assistants can use the same key through the MCP server; see how to make a QR code with ChatGPT or Claude.

What does it cost?

Batch generation is part of Pro, a one-time payment of $39 with no subscription. Pro also includes print-ready files, hosted files, a higher API allowance, and 100 dynamic links. The free editor stays free for single codes. See pricing.

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One design, one spreadsheet, one ZIP. Design your code in the editor, then open Content → Many codes.

Questions? [email protected]