🚀 Generate Enhanced QR Codes in Business Central Using AL and QuickChart API

Introduction

QR codes have become a standard tool for sharing data quickly and efficiently—whether it's for product labeling, document tracking, or digital payments. Now, you can generate customized QR codes and barcodes directly within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central using a simple action.

This feature allows users to choose the barcode type and size, embed the image into a record, and optionally download it—all with just a few clicks. It's an easy way to enhance records with scannable information, without leaving Business Central or needing external tools.

In this article, we'll walk through how this feature works and how it can be used in real business scenarios.

What This Feature Does?

The "Generate Enhanced QR Code" action gives users the ability to quickly create and manage barcodes within Business Central. Here's what it can do:

• Supports Multiple Barcode Types
  Choose from common formats like:

  • QR Code

  • Swiss QR Code

  • Aztec Code

  • Data Matrix

  • Telepen

• Customizable Size
  Users can select the size of the barcode image:

  • Small (150x150)

  • Medium (200x200)

  • Large (300x300)

• Auto-Generated Barcode Text
  The barcode is automatically created using a combination of the record's No. and Description fields.

• Image Saved to the Record
  Once generated, the QR code is saved into the record’s Picture field, replacing any existing image (with confirmation).

• Optional Local Download
  After generating the barcode, users are asked if they’d like to download a copy of the image to their device.

• Validation Checks
  The feature checks for missing data (e.g., Description) and confirms before overwriting existing images.

Business Scenarios Where This Shines

• Warehouse & Inventory Teams can generate shelf or product labels.

• Sales & Marketing can embed item QR codes into print catalogs.

• Manufacturing Units can print barcodes for machine-readable logs.

• Pharma and Food industries can improve traceability and compliance.

AL Code Behind the Feature

pageextension 50020 "ItemCardExt" extends "Item Card"

{

    actions

    {

        addfirst(processing)

        {

            action(GenerateEnhancedQRCode)

            {

                ApplicationArea = All;

                Caption = 'Generate Enhanced QR Code';

                Image = CreateDocument;

                Promoted = true;

                PromotedCategory = Process;

                trigger OnAction()

                var

                    HttpClient: HttpClient;

                    HttpRequest: HttpRequestMessage;

                    HttpResponse: HttpResponseMessage;

                    InS: InStream;

                    QRCodeURL: Text;

                    FileName: Text;

                    CustomText: Text;

                    SizeOption: Integer;

                    BarcodeLink: Text;

                    Size: Text;

                    BarcodeTypes: Label 'QR Code, Swiss QR Code, Telepen, Aztec, Data Matrix';

                    BarcodeOptions: Integer;

                    SizeTypes: Label 'Small, Medium, Large';

                    OverwriteQuestion: Label 'A picture already exists. Replace it?';

                    DescriptionMissingErr: Label 'You must enter a description before generating a QR code.';

                begin

                    // Check required description

                    if Rec.Description = '' then

                        Error(DescriptionMissingErr);

                    // Confirm overwrite if needed

                    if Rec.Picture.Count > 0 then

                        if not Confirm(OverwriteQuestion, false) then

                            exit;

                    SizeOption := StrMenu(SizeTypes);

                    case SizeOption of

                        1:

                            Size := '150';

                        2:

                            Size := '200';

                        3:

                            Size := '300';

                        else

                            exit;

                    end;

                    BarcodeOptions := StrMenu(BarcodeTypes);

                    case

                        BarcodeOptions of

                        1:

                            BarcodeLink := StrSubstNo('https://quickchart.io/barcode?type=' + 'qrcode' + '&text=%1&width=%2&height=%2&format=png',Rec."No." + '_' + Rec.Description, Size);

                        2:

                            BarcodeLink := StrSubstNo('https://quickchart.io/barcode?type=' + 'swissqrcode' + '&text=%1&width=%2&height=%2&format=png',Rec."No." + '_' + Rec.Description, Size);

                        3:

                            BarcodeLink := StrSubstNo('https://quickchart.io/barcode?type=' + 'telepen' + '&text=%1&width=%2&height=%2&format=png',Rec."No." + '_' + Rec.Description, Size);

                        4:

                            BarcodeLink := StrSubstNo('https://quickchart.io/barcode?type=' + 'azteccode' + '&text=%1&width=%2&height=%2&format=png',Rec."No." + '_' + Rec.Description, Size);

                        5:

                            BarcodeLink := StrSubstNo('https://quickchart.io/barcode?type=' + 'datamatrix' + '&text=%1&format=png',Rec."No." + '_' + Rec.Description);

                    end;

                    // Create filename and URL

                    FileName := Rec.Description + '_QRCode.png';

                    QRCodeURL := StrSubstNo(

                        'https://quickchart.io/barcode?type=qrcode&text=%1&width=%2&height=%2&format=png',

                        Rec."No." + '_' + Rec.Description, Size);

                    // Send HTTP request

                    HttpRequest.SetRequestUri(BarcodeLink);

                    HttpRequest.Method := 'GET';

                    if not HttpClient.Send(HttpRequest, HttpResponse) then

                        Error('Failed to connect to QR code service.');

                    if not HttpResponse.IsSuccessStatusCode then

                        Error('QR Code generation failed. Status: %1', HttpResponse.HttpStatusCode);

                    // Read the response as stream

                    HttpResponse.Content.ReadAs(InS);

                    // Save to record

                    Clear(Rec.Picture);

                    Rec.Picture.ImportStream(InS, FileName);

                    Rec.Modify(true);

                    // Download copy to local if user wants

                    if Confirm('Do you want to download the QR Code image locally?', false) then

                        DownloadFromStream(InS, '', '', '', FileName);

                end;

            }

        }

    }

}

Output:

Choose an image size (Small, Medium, Large).

Select a barcode type (QR, Swiss QR, Aztec, Data Matrix, Telepen).

Store the generated image in the Picture field of the item record.

Conclusion

This customization shows how a simple AL code extension can greatly boost efficiency in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. By enabling quick generation and embedding of QR codes and barcodes, you eliminate manual steps and streamline processes across departments—from inventory to sales and beyond.

With support for multiple barcode types, customizable sizes, and built-in download and validation prompts, this feature brings powerful functionality right into the user's workflow—no external tools needed.

Whether you're in warehousing, retail, manufacturing, or pharma, this tool helps standardize product labeling and enhances traceability with just a few clicks.

💡 Looking ahead? You can extend this further by including additional record fields, customizing encoding logic, or supporting more document types like purchase orders or invoices.

Business Central just got a little smarter—one QR code at a time.