> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getqr.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PDF QR code

> Share one PDF or a set of up to 10 PDFs with a scan.

A PDF QR code opens a document you upload to GetQR. Upload one PDF to open it directly, or up to 10 PDFs to show them as a list on one page.

## Before you start

* Have your files ready as PDF. Each file can be up to 20 MB.
* You don't need to host the files anywhere: GetQR stores them for you.

## Create it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the QR code builder">
    Click **Create QR** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose PDF">
    In **Choose QR type**, click **PDF**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload your PDF">
    Click the upload area or drag your files onto it. Wait until each file finishes uploading.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add more files (optional)">
    Click **Add more PDFs** to add up to 10 files in total.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how files are shown (2+ files)">
    Under **How files are shown**, pick **List** or **Cards**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a page title (2+ files, optional)">
    Type a title in **Page title**, for example "Menu, price list and allergens".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name your QR code (optional)">
    Type a name in **Name your QR Code**. Only you see it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to the design step">
    Click **Next**. The button shows **Uploading...** until all files are uploaded.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Design and create">
    Customize the design (see [Design overview](/design/overview)), then click **Create QR**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Settings

| Setting | What it does |
| - | - |
| **PDF files** | Required. Up to 10 PDF files, up to 20 MB each. Only PDF files are accepted. |
| **How files are shown** | Shown when you upload 2 or more files. **List** shows the files as rows, **Cards** as a grid of cards. Default: **List**. |
| **Page title** | Shown when you upload 2 or more files. Optional, up to 40 characters. Appears at the top of the page people see. If empty, the page is titled **Documents**. |
| **Name your QR Code** | Optional, up to 40 characters. Only you see it. Default: **My PDF QR Code**. |
| **Custom short link** | Optional. Lets you choose the end of the short link, 3–15 characters. You can't change it after the QR code is created. |

## What people see when they scan

* **One PDF.** The PDF opens directly in the phone's browser or PDF viewer.
* **Two or more PDFs.** A page opens with your page title, the number of files and their total size. People tap a file to open it, tap **Download** to save one, or **Download all** to save every file.

Scans go through a GetQR short link, so they're counted in [analytics](/analytics/overview), and you can replace the files later without reprinting the code.

## Use cases

* Restaurant menus, price lists and allergen sheets in one code.
* Product manuals and safety sheets on packaging.
* Brochures, catalogs and portfolios at trade shows.
* Event programs, maps and schedules.
* Course handouts for students.

## Common issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="PDF file size must be less than 20MB">
    One of your files is too large. Compress the PDF (for example, lower image quality when you export it) and upload it again. Files over the limit are skipped and listed under the upload area.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A file was skipped as 'not a PDF'">
    Only PDF files are accepted. Export or save the document as PDF first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Too many files. Remove some PDFs to continue.">
    You can add up to 10 PDFs. Remove some files, or split them across two QR codes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Next stays disabled or shows Uploading...">
    Wait until every file finishes uploading. Large files take longer on slow connections.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="We couldn't reach our upload server">
    Check your internet connection. If you use an ad blocker, antivirus or VPN, allow getqr.com and try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I don't see the layout or page title options">
    These options only appear when you upload 2 or more PDFs. With one PDF, the file opens directly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Design your QR code" href="/design/overview" />

  <Card title="Print your QR code" href="/downloads/printing" />

  <Card title="Share images instead" href="/qr-types/image" />

  <Card title="Track scans" href="/analytics/overview" />
</CardGroup>


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