Editing QR code link

[Léa24011376p6r4]

Hello,

I would like to edit the QR code link that has been created within InDesign. The document has been printed so I'd like to keep the aspect of the QR code and only change the redirection. Is that possible?

The link is not a shortlink.

[Doc Maik]

The document has been printed? Redirection?

Right-click the QR code and select "Edit QR code"

[BobLevine]

The link is hard coded in a QR code. This has nothing to do with InDesign.

You'll need to re-direct the link at the server level if it's a website.

[Doc Maik]

Wait, you think she meant to edit a link in a QR code of a printed document? Seriously?

[BobLevine]

That's how I'm reading it, yes.

[Doc Maik]

In this case a short link would have been the better choice.

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

Oh, my, the "dynamic QR code" phantom raises its head again. 🙂

There is, unfortunately, no such thing as a dynamic QR code. Once created, they are static. They can be replaced in an electronic environment (web, kiosk or even e-doc like PDF). But they're still static until replaced... and if printed, the only way to change them is with a sticker.

What can be changed is how the URL encoded into them (we're assuming web-link content; QR codes can hold all kinds of data) is handled by the destination server. The very best way to maintain flexibility is to use a shortlink or redirection server, so that any incoming address can be redirected to any other, and changed — yes — dynamically. The better way for most small users and ones who don't want to depend on (paying for) (being tied to) a redirection service is to use a flexible address that can be redirected by the host web server; something like [MYCOMPANY][DOTCOM]/ABC123 can be reassigned at will to any other valid destination, even for codes printed on old, yellowing newsprint.

So in this case, if a specific URL was used (pointing to a specific landing page or indirect location), the destination web server can redirect it. If it's a base address like [MYCOMPANY][DOTCOM] or that, pointed to a generic page like /contact.html or /index.php.... there's not much that can be done. Be sure to use a flexible URL assignment in your next QR code.

A primer on QR codes created in InDesign is here.