QR Code for Google Drive — Open a Doc, Sheet, Slide or PDF in One Scan

Make a QR Code for Anything in Your Drive

Most of us keep our files in Google Drive already, so it's a natural thing to point a QR code at. Easy QR takes the share link from any Drive item — a Google Doc, Sheet, Slides deck, PDF, image, or a shared folder — and makes a crisp, print-ready QR code in one click. No watermark, and no account needed for the free static codes.

There's really only one thing to get right: the sharing setting. New Drive files are private by default, so if your code points to a private file, people just see a "Request access" message. Switch the file to "Anyone with the link" before you make the code and you're good to go.

A Google Doc, Step by Step

1. Open your Doc. A laptop or desktop is easiest because the sharing options are right there. Click the green Share button in the top-right corner.
2. Choose "Anyone with the link." In the sharing box, change the dropdown from "Restricted" to "Anyone with the link," and leave the role as Viewer so people can read it but not change it. Miss this and only folks inside your organisation will get in.
3. Hit "Copy link." You'll get a web address that starts with something like docs.google.com/document/d/.../edit. That's the one you want.
4. Paste it into the Easy QR generator. Your code appears straight away. Save it as a PNG, JPG, or SVG.
5. Scan it yourself first. Always give the code a quick test with your own phone before you print a stack of them. If you land on "Request access," the sharing setting still needs a tweak.

A Google Sheet, Step by Step

1. Open the Sheet and click Share. It's the same idea as a Doc — pick "Anyone with the link" and set the role to Viewer (or Commenter if you'd like people to leave notes), then copy the link.
2. Want just one tab? Link straight to it. If your workbook has lots of tabs but you only want people to see one, right-click that tab's name and choose Get link to this sheet. The link ends in #gid=... — that's the one for that single tab.
3. Paste into Easy QR and save your code. A free static code is perfect for sheets that stay put, like a price list or schedule. If the sheet gets swapped out now and then — say a weekly menu or roster — go with a dynamic editable QR code instead.

Google Slides, Step by Step

1. Pick which version you want people to open. You can share the editable deck (the link looks like docs.google.com/presentation/d/.../edit) or the presentation link that ends in /present and opens straight into slideshow mode. For an audience, the slideshow one is usually the friendlier choice.
2. Set sharing to "Anyone with the link," role Viewer. Just like Docs and Sheets. The code can't get past your file's permissions, so this step matters.
3. Make the code in Easy QR and pop it on your last slide. "Scan to take these slides with you" makes a lovely ending to a talk — people keep the deck instead of trying to scribble down your notes.

A PDF or a Whole Folder, Step by Step

1. Right-click the PDF or folder in Drive. Pick Share from the menu (or click Get link).
2. Open it up to "Anyone with the link," role Viewer. With a folder, this lets people look through everything inside without being able to change anything. They can read and download, but not edit or delete.
3. Copy the link and paste it into Easy QR. A folder code is handy when you want to hand over a bunch of files at once — think class resources, event paperwork, a property document pack, or an "everything you need" sheet.

Handy Ways People Use Drive QR Codes

Questions People Ask About Drive QR Codes

Why does my code show a "Request access" message?

This is far and away the most common hiccup, and it's always down to the sharing setting. Open the file's Share box, switch "Restricted" to "Anyone with the link," and double-check the role says Viewer. Give it another scan afterwards — no need to make a new code.

Can I make people sign in to Google first?

Yes. Just leave the file shared with specific people or with your organisation only. Anyone who scans will be asked to sign in before the file opens. It's a nice middle ground for sensitive stuff — staff policies, internal pricing — when you still want the convenience of a code.

Can I update the file later and keep the same code?

Yes, and it's one of the nicest things about Drive codes. As long as you edit the file that's already there (instead of uploading a brand-new one with a different link), the same code keeps pointing to it. If you'd like to swap in a completely different document down the road, reach for a dynamic editable QR code.

What if I delete the file?

The code still scans, but people land on a "File not found" page. If there's a chance you'll delete the file later, make it a dynamic code so you can send it to a replacement without printing anything again.

Can I see how many times the file was scanned?

Drive can show file views, but that counts every way the file was opened, not just scans. If you want scan numbers on their own, use a dynamic code from Easy QR — your dashboard shows how many scans, when, the country, and the device for each one.

Will the file open in the Drive app or a web browser?

If someone has the Google Drive or Docs app on their phone, scans usually open right inside it. If not, the file opens in their normal browser. Either way it works, and no one needs to install anything special.