36  QR Adder

https://github.com/chrissyhroberts/QR_adder/

Build Status Python Version License: MIT

QR Adder is a simple, cross-platform desktop application that generates personalized PDF forms with embedded QR codes and human-readable ID numbers.

Designed for research studies, logistics, events, and any setting where you need to personalize forms with scannable codes.

36.1 Features

  • Import a PDF form template
  • Import a CSV file with IDs
  • Automatically add QR codes and readable IDs
  • Fully adjustable QR code position, size, and text formatting
  • Live preview of the first entry
  • Output:
    • Single combined PDF
  • Cross-platform:
    • Windows .exe
    • macOS .app (zipped)
    • Linux binary
  • Fully offline — no internet needed once installed

36.2 Installation

Download the latest release from the Releases page.

Platform File Instructions
Windows QR_Adder_Windows.exe Download and run
macOS QR_Adder_Mac.zip Download, unzip, run QR Adder.app
Linux QR_Adder_Linux Download, make executable (chmod +x), run

36.3 Security Notes

  • Windows SmartScreen:
    You may see a “Windows protected your PC” warning. Click More info → Run anyway to continue.

  • macOS Gatekeeper:
    On first launch, right-click the app and choose Open to bypass the “unidentified developer” warning.

These messages appear because the app is unsigned and do not indicate a security risk.

36.4 How to Use

  1. Launch the app.
  2. Select your PDF template.
  3. Select your CSV file containing an ID column.
  4. Adjust QR and text settings if needed.
  5. Preview the first entry.
  6. Choose an output folder.
  7. Click Generate PDFs!

Each ID will generate a personalized form.

36.5 CSV Requirements

  • Your CSV file must contain a column named ID.
  • Example format:
ID,Name
1234,John Doe
5678,Jane Smith

36.6 Running from Source

If you prefer to run QR Adder directly from the Python source code:

36.6.1 1. Install Python

  • Download and install Python 3.11 or higher from python.org.
  • Ensure you select “Add Python to PATH” during installation.

Check installation:

python --version

36.6.2 2. Clone or Download the Repository

git clone https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git
cd your-repo

Or download ZIP and extract manually.

36.6.3 3. (Optional) Create a Virtual Environment

python -m venv venv

Activate it:

  • Windows:
venv\Scripts\activate
  • macOS/Linux:
source venv/bin/activate

36.6.4 4. Install Required Packages

pip install -r requirements.txt

36.6.5 5. Run the Application

python QR_adder.py

36.7 Technical Details

  • Python 3.11
  • PyQt5 (GUI)
  • pandas (CSV handling)
  • PyMuPDF (PDF editing)
  • qrcode (QR code generation)
  • pillow (image handling)
  • Built with PyInstaller
  • Automated GitHub Actions builds

36.8 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.
Feel free to use, modify, and contribute!

36.9 Acknowledgments

Thanks to the open-source libraries that made this project possible!

  • PyQt5
  • PyMuPDF
  • pandas
  • qrcode
  • pillow