Changes to Google QR Code API and Simple Alternatives

 

Google has recently updated their policy regarding the use of the QR Code API available at https://chart.googleapis.com/. This API was widely used to generate QR Codes in various applications, including Google Sheets. Unfortunately, the service is no longer available, and users trying to access it will encounter an error message indicating that the service has been discontinued.

QR Code API Alternatives

Despite the discontinuation of Google’s QR Code API, there are several alternatives available for generating QR Codes. The two primary alternatives are QuickChart and Tec-IT QR Code API.

QuickChart API

QuickChart provides a simple and compatible QR Code generation service that can be easily integrated into various applications. To use QuickChart, you just need to replace 'chart.googleapis.com' with 'quickchart.io'. Here's how you can use it:

QuickChart API URL

        

Replace "YourTextHere" with the text or data you want to encode in the QR Code.

        Example Usage in Google Sheets

        To create QR Codes in Google Sheets, you can use the following formula in the desired column:

        =IMAGE("https://quickchart.io/qr?text=" & A1)

        This formula will generate a QR Code image based on the text in cell A1.

        Example Usage in Google AppSheet

CONCATENATE("https://quickchart.io/chart?chs=150x150&cht=qr&chl="&SUBSTITUTE([data];" ";"%20"))

 

Tec-IT QR Code API

Tec-IT also offers a robust API for generating QR Codes. You can use this API as follows:

Tec-IT QR Code API URL

  

Replace "YourTextHere" with the text or data you want to encode in the QR Code.

        Example Usage in Google Sheets

        =IMAGE("https://qrcode.tec-it.com/API/QRCode?data=" & A1)
        This formula will generate a QR Code image based on the text in cell A1.

         Example Usage in Google AppSheet

CONCATENATE("https://qrcode.tec-it.com/API/QRCode?size=small&dpi=120&data="&SUBSTITUTE([DATA];" ";"%20"))

By following these steps, you can seamlessly continue creating and using QR Codes in your applications and documents, despite Google's policy changes. QuickChart and Tec-IT QR Code APIs are reliable and easy-to-use alternatives that will meet your QR Code generation needs.

Displaying QR Codes in AppSheet Using Alternative APIs