How to Insert a QR Code in Word (3 Methods)

A QR code lets readers open a link from a printed flyer, menu or resume with their phone camera. Word can add one through an add-in, a pasted image, or a hidden barcode field.

• Use the QR4Office add-in (Method 1 in the video)
• Paste a code from a free online generator (Method 2 in the video)
• Use the DISPLAYBARCODE field (Windows, no add-in)
• Test your QR code

Creating a QR code with the QR4Office add-in

Use this when you’ll make QR codes often and want to stay inside Word.

1. On the Home tab, select Add-ins. In some versions, use Insert > Get Add-ins instead.
2. Search for QR4Office and select Add.
3. Open the add-in from Add-ins. It appears in a pane on the right.
4. Type or paste your website address.
5. Optionally change the colour, background and size.
6. Select Insert.

Result: The QR code is added as a picture at your cursor. Microsoft explains where add-ins live in its guide to viewing and installing add-ins.

Note: Your organisation may block add-ins. If Add isn’t available, use Method 2 or Method 3.

Inserting a QR code from a free online generator

Use this when you can’t install add-ins, or you want a code with no setup.

1. Open the free Drive Explorer Pro barcode generator.
2. Choose QR Code as the barcode type.
3. Paste your link into the value box.
4. Adjust the size and colours under Appearance and Colors.
5. Right-click the preview and copy the image, or select Download PNG.
6. In Word, paste with Ctrl + V (Cmd + V on Mac), or go to Insert > Pictures and choose the downloaded file.

Result: The QR code sits in the document as an ordinary image. Move it with Wrap Text like any picture. The generator runs in your browser and doesn’t need an account.

Tip: Generate the code larger than you need and shrink it in Word. Enlarging a small image can blur it.

Creating a QR code with the DISPLAYBARCODE field

Use this when you’re on Word for Windows and want a code you can edit later without regenerating an image.

1. Click where you want the QR code.
2. Press Ctrl + F9 to insert field braces { }. Typing the braces yourself won’t work.
3. Inside the braces, type: DISPLAYBARCODE "https://mergedocs.pro" QR \q 3
4. Right-click the field and select Toggle Field Codes.

Result: The text becomes a scannable QR code. \q 3 sets the highest error-correction level. Microsoft’s DisplayBarcode field reference also lists \s for scale and \f and \b for colours.

To change the link later, right-click the code, select Toggle Field Codes, edit the address, then right-click and select Update Field.

Testing your QR code

Use this before you print or send the document.

1. Zoom to 100% or print a test page.
2. Point your phone camera at the code.
3. Tap the link that appears and check it opens the right page.

If it fails, make the code bigger and use dark code on a light background.

Comparing the methods

Platform differences

• Windows: all three methods work. Ctrl + F9 inserts the field braces.
• Mac: use the add-in or a pasted image. Microsoft documents DISPLAYBARCODE for Word for Windows only.
• Word for the web: paste or upload a generated image with Insert > Picture.

Troubleshooting

• The field shows code instead of a QR code: right-click it and select Toggle Field Codes.
• Nothing appears after toggling: check the link is inside straight quotation marks and the type is QR. Invalid data stops the barcode rendering.
• Ctrl + F9 does nothing on a laptop: press Fn + Ctrl + F9.
• The code is blurry in a PDF: insert a larger image. Then save the Word document as a PDF again and re-test.
• The code moves around the page: set the picture’s Wrap Text to Square or use a table. See how to put an image and text side by side in Word.

For more ways to add objects to a document, browse the Microsoft Word guides.