Generate QR Codes with Power Automate

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Generating QR Code using Power Automate
   1. Overview of the Solution
   2. Generating API Key
   3. Creating a Cloud Flow
   4. Configuring the QR Code Generation Action
   5. Saving the QR Code to SharePoint
   6. Testing the Flow
3. Conclusion
4. References

Generating QR Code using Power Automate

In today's article, we will discuss how to generate QR codes using Power Automate, a powerful automation tool provided by Microsoft. QR codes have become increasingly popular and are commonly used in various organizations. By leveraging the capabilities of Power Automate, we can automate the generation of QR codes whenever a new item is created in a SharePoint list.

Overview of the Solution

The solution we are going to build is aimed at generating a QR code whenever a new item is added to a SharePoint list. The QR code will contain information such as the item ID, title, and location. This will allow us to easily access and reference the data associated with each item using the generated QR code.

Generating API Key

Before we can start building our solution, we need to generate an API key from the Encoding API. The Encoding API also offers a 30-day trial, which provides us with ample time to test and evaluate its capabilities. To obtain the API key, we need to fill out a form, providing our personal and contact details. Once the form is submitted, we will receive an email notification containing our unique API key.

Creating a Cloud Flow

To begin creating our solution, we will start by creating a cloud flow in Power Automate. The cloud flow will be triggered whenever a new item is created in our SharePoint list. We will select the "When an item is created in SharePoint" trigger as the starting point of our flow. This trigger will listen for any new items added to the specified SharePoint list.

Configuring the QR Code Generation Action

Next, we will configure the action to generate the QR code using the Encoding API. We will add a new step in our flow and search for the "Encode" connector. Within the connector, we will select the "Create QR Code" action. This action requires a connection to be established, where we will provide the API key obtained earlier. We will also specify the barcode data, including the ID, title, and location of the item. Additionally, we can customize the image format, size, and colors of the QR code.

Saving the QR Code to SharePoint

After generating the QR code, we want to save it as an attachment in our SharePoint list. We will use another action from the SharePoint connector called "Add attachment to list item". This action requires the site address, list name, ID of the new item, file name, and file content. We will pass the necessary information from the previous steps to this action and attach the generated QR code image to the corresponding SharePoint list item.

Testing the Flow

To ensure our solution works as expected, we will test the flow by adding a new product to our SharePoint list. We will enter the necessary details such as the product name, price, and location. Once we save the item, the flow should trigger and generate a QR code for that item. We can then check the SharePoint list to verify if the QR code attachment has been successfully added.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to generate QR codes using Power Automate. By leveraging the capabilities of Power Automate and the Encoding API, we can easily automate the generation of QR codes whenever a new item is created in a SharePoint list. This solution provides a convenient way to store and access data associated with each item using the generated QR codes. Whether it's for inventory management, asset tracking, or other purposes, generating QR codes with Power Automate offers a streamlined and efficient solution.

References

• Microsoft Power Automate
• Encoding API Documentation
• SharePoint Documentation