merging qt codes into a template

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Julie Fields

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Sep 10, 2021, 11:32:45 AM9/10/21
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Hello, looking for advice on how to merge a qr code to a template.  We are creating unique qr codes for a parent pick up system but I can't get them to merge to a template.  Using spreadsheet data, no form and a formula to create the qr code in a column.

Would be very grateful for any input you have.




Julie Fields
Information Systems Manager, Northbridge Public Schools

Email:  jfi...@nps.org

Twitter: @MrsJulie_Fields

Office:  508.234.8156 ext 5210


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Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 10, 2021, 1:13:21 PM9/10/21
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I have never tried this but here is an idea.  There are formats that produce a bar code.  

Using FormMule you will have to use some HTML to format the number into a bar code.  I know almost nothing about HTML.

image.png

image.png

Let us know if you figure it out.



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Julie Fields

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Sep 10, 2021, 1:24:20 PM9/10/21
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Ok, I did get this to work to create the barcode but this isn't read by the scanner app I am using .  maybe I can find a new app that will scan the barcode to sheets rather than. Was hoping there was another way. 

I Need something that will give me a qr code with a shareable url that I can do in bulk, looking to create almost 1,000 badges. 


Julie Fields

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Sep 10, 2021, 1:29:38 PM9/10/21
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Also, when I merge this as an image, it merges the barcode to test.  Getting closer I guess

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 10, 2021, 4:14:41 PM9/10/21
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Are you creating badges with FormMule?  I would have guessed Autocrat or some other tool.

Kurt

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Sep 13, 2021, 10:19:04 AM9/13/21
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This sounds very interesting, but I don't fully understand what you're trying to do.
Is this for identifying/tracking students in transportation?
We spend a ridiculous amount of money for a third party company to do this and still don't have it working right.

Julie Fields

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Sep 13, 2021, 10:26:54 AM9/13/21
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I am using autocrat, so sorry for posting to the wrong group.

We are trying to help expedite the pick up system at our new building.  We have over 250 parent pickups each day and the line is super long and only have one entrance and exit to work with.  Traffic is a nightmare.  We are hoping to scan the qr codes as parents drive in, so teachers will see the student name and send the student down to their pick up station in hopes this will keep the line moving.  

What I thought was the easy part, printing the codes, seems to be more difficult!  It appears, Autocrat needs a url for the qr code in order to merge it into the template.  I am using a formula to create the qr code, looking for options that will create a url for that code in addition to the qr code.  

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 13, 2021, 2:18:55 PM9/13/21
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Julie and I are working on a solution in Autocrat.  She located to tool to create the link and the rest is easier.

Kurt

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Sep 13, 2021, 2:28:22 PM9/13/21
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I'm very interested in this. Although this is not a problem that I have specifically been involved with, we also have an enormous problem with parent traffic at several of our schools.
Are you working on this in a private chat or is there someplace I could go and peek at what you're doing. 

Julie Fields

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Sep 14, 2021, 2:46:20 PM9/14/21
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That is our issue also, we have one lane in and there are over 200 parent cars waiting for pick up bakcing up traffic down the street blocking buses from entering and exiting.  The plan is to give each student a barcode for the car, the admin will scan each barcode using an app updated Scan to Google Sheets which then populates to a view only google sheet that is shared with all teachers.  As students pop up on the spreadsheet, they will be sent down to the pick up area.  We have two pick up areas at this time and each can hold 20 cars in que so the plan is to send them in groups of 20, we can scan cars ahead of time and get students  lined up much quicker.  It isn't ideal, still some things to work out.  Hope to implement this next week. 

We used an array formula to create a url in the source sheet that will merge to autocrat to create an QR code that is scanned by the app.  A new spreadsheet is what will be shared with the pick up groups.  

Here is the array formula we used:   
={"combined name";arrayformula(A2:A&" "&B2:B)}
={"USE URL";arrayformula("http://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&data="&A2:A&"%09"&B2:B&"%09"&D2:D&"&margin=0&size=300x300&ecc=L")} 

To merge to autocrat I used an image field type and mapped it to the USE URL column.  Works like a charm!!   

student first namestudent last namecombined namestudent gradeUSE URL
julieFIELDSjulie FIELDS11http://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&data=julie%09FIELDS%0911&margin=0&size=300x300&ecc=L

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 14, 2021, 4:45:34 PM9/14/21
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Thanks, Julie, for posting.  Julie was great to work with.  A few comments that might be helpful.

Those arrayformulas go in row one.  See Array Formulas.  

={"USE URL";arrayformula("http://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&data="&A2:A&"%09"&B2:B&"%09"&D2:D&"&margin=0&size=300x300&ecc=L")} 

Julie found a QR code generator and shared the link.  I modified the link and put it in an arrayformula.

Columns A,B and D were imbedded in the link.  data="&A2:A&"%09"&B2:B&"%09"&D2:D& The values are separated by %09.

The "&" performs concatenation of the pieces of the link.

Julie searched and found something I had posted a hundred years ago which I had forgotten about. She gets an A++++ for persistence.

This was a fun project. Julie did most of the heavy lifting.

Kurt

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Sep 15, 2021, 11:50:36 AM9/15/21
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Thank you so much for sharing the work for this. 

A great little nugget that I got from this is the way your doing the array formula. I've been using these all over the place, but I didn't know about the trick for setting the column label. I was using a much klugier way.

The thought occurred to me that if you anonymized the qr code, the parents could keep it taped to their windshield for the whole school year.

Julie Fields

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Sep 16, 2021, 8:38:35 AM9/16/21
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How would you  anonymize the qr code?? Very interested if possible.  This was a discussion that came up at our meeting yesterday because if it lost, we can't do anything.  Although we aren't sharing any personal info, there is a full name. 

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 16, 2021, 8:52:35 AM9/16/21
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Julie,

Instead of putting their name in the QR, put a unique number.  When the input comes in you can do a vlookup to find the student's name and grade from a table

You could leave off the school logo so that if found the finder wouldn't know who what the QR code was for.

You could create one QR code per family and then one scan would identify all of the students.

You may want to consider having the parents store the QR code on their smartphone.  I think you should be able to scan from their smartphone. 

I suspect there are lots of improvements that can be made as the school learns what works and where the bottlenecks are.

Julie Fields

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Sep 16, 2021, 8:57:14 AM9/16/21
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Ok, I was thinking about the id and vlookup.  I am trying to keep it as simple as possible so I didn't want to email to families etc. but is definilty a possibility.

We do have this set up to include multiple students for those picking up more than one.  In that case, I created the urls manually.  

Definitely lots of ways to improve but always seem to be under the gun to get it done.

Kurt

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Sep 16, 2021, 1:07:41 PM9/16/21
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It's a very clever idea! I hope it works out for you. 

Student names aren't part of FERPA so anonymizing isn't necessary. I understand what it's like when the masses want things done right away :)

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