Generate two-dimensional QR Code® bar codes in an SSRS report

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Generate two-dimensional QR Code® bar codes in an SSRS report

Stan Kulp-439977

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January 14, 2014 at 12:03 am

#281098

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Generate two-dimensional QR Code® bar codes in an SSRS report

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Steph Locke SSCrazy Points: 2963 More actions · Answer 1

This is a great introduction to a robust purely internal solution. I would like to recommend Jason Thomas' solution of building a dynamic URL image call to an external service if the data isn't overly sensitive and the amount of calls is relatively low.

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 2

Great, detailed article. Thanks.

Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

Neodynamic Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 598 More actions · Answer 3

1. I agree with Steph on using an external service and a link. If that is not possible, then do not install the dll into the GAC as it will cause future headaches in the future for sure. Instead, just reference the dll through a simple path file.

2. Fully test the QR Code by scanning them though a real scanner device not just a software one if your reports containing any barcode will be printed and read by real scanners out there. Barcoding seems to be simple (and it is) if it's performed correctly which means you use a good barcode encoder (we can help on this), you test it with a real device AND you get it verified by using a verifier device.

3. By the way, the link to the QR Code spec file is illegal. Look, QR Code is public BUT you have to pay for a license to ISO organization! That pdf file has this watermark at every page

"Licensed to SCANBUY, INC./ASHISH MUNI

ISO Store order #:762844/Downloaded:2006-08-01

Single user licence only, copying and networking prohibited"

The last phrase is far than clear

Tools for SSRS, ASP.NET & PHP
Barcode CRI for SSRS[/url]

a.abalos.castillo Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 559 More actions · Answer 4

After trying the code, the images generated seem unreadable by a cell phone. Is that expected somehow?

The online code reader at zxing does recognize it, but iPhone or Lumia phones were unable to read it

Thanks.

Stan Kulp-439977 SSChampion Points: 10062 More actions · Answer 5

To tell you the truth, I wrote this as a way of learning how to do QR Codes. I need a project when I want to learn something new.

It took me a long time to figure out this much. It's probably not optimal. I just wanted to share what I had learned in the hopes that somebody else might teach me a little more.

The QRCode.Net project (http://qrcodenet.codeplex.com/[/url]) looks to be a little more robust, but I haven't found my way into it yet. If anybody can point me in a direction I will write another article if I get it to work and if it works better.

a.abalos.castillo Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 559 More actions · Answer 6

Thanks Stan for clarifying. I agree with you, it is worth investigating 🙂

So far, we know that the QR codes created with the tools in this article are not compatible with all devices.

Neodynamic Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 598 More actions · Answer 7

Tell me what code value you tried to encode and send me the QR Code you got there. Look, smart devices run barcode reader software and they have bugs as any other software. Again, they are not truly barcode reader scanners. So it could be an issue related to the QR Code encoder OR to the software reader running on your device.

LeoZ

Tools for SSRS, ASP.NET & PHP
Barcode CRI for SSRS[/url]

Stan Kulp-439977 SSChampion Points: 10062 More actions · Answer 8

I created a JPG from the string "SQL Server Central" you can download here:

https://app.box.com/s/ozylup0fhkeen56vqpyd

a.abalos.castillo Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 559 More actions · Answer 9

Thanks a lot Stan. I got the same results with your image so far. The phone cannot read it.

Other QR codes from the web seem OK to phones, I wonder what's missing here.

Stan Kulp-439977 SSChampion Points: 10062 More actions · Answer 10

I started working on QR Codes for a work project that was going to be on a secure server not connected to the Internet, so the external service was not an option. I wasn't able to come up with anything and the requirement was dropped, but it bugged me and I just decided to figure out how to generate QR Codes programmatically.

I got this far, and I thought I might just share my knowledge on the chance that somebody else would show me a better way.

Stan Kulp-439977 SSChampion Points: 10062 More actions · Answer 11

Try downloading the binaries and application from here...

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/258779/Just-launched-new-open-source-project-QrCode-Net-a

...and use the Gma.QrCodeNet.Demo.exe executable to generate some QR Codes and see if your phone can decipher them.

If it can, I am going to try to figure out how to use the accompanying Gma.QrCodeNet.Encoding.dll.

I have tried before, but got nowhere. Maybe this time will be different.

a.abalos.castillo Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 559 More actions · Answer 12

Thanks Stan. I have downloaded and run the code from the link you shared ("Just launched new open source project QrCode.Net at http://qrcodenet.codeplex.com").

The QR codes seem to work, however, non-regular characters are not understood properly (like Ñ, Å, Æ). The standard 128 ASCII chars work fine, so it could work with URLs.

I guess this code could be used as a DLL in Reporting Services and then solve the problem (to some point...)

Thanks again,

Antonio.

Stan Kulp-439977 SSChampion Points: 10062 More actions · Answer 13

Looking at that page again, there may be enough information for me to get it to work. I will try it this weekend.

aframiller326 SSC-Addicted Points: 480 More actions · Answer 14

a.abalos.castillo (1/14/2014)
After trying the code, the qr code images generated[/url] seem unreadable by a cell phone. Is that expected somehow?
The online qr code reader[/url] at zxing does recognize it, but iPhone or Lumia phones were unable to read it
Thanks.

Have you tried to use any android-based phone to read the QR code? I mean it is a little strange that only the online barcode reader can read the barcode.;-)