USING IRONBARCODE

How to Generate QR Codes in C# Windows Forms Applications

  1. Create a Windows Forms Application in Microsoft Visual Studio
  2. Installing the QR code library
  3. Importing namespaces to create barcodes
  4. Creating a QR code with one line of code
  5. Adding a logo to a QR code image
  6. Saving an image as PDF or HTML

1. Create a Windows Forms Application in Microsoft Visual Studio

Open Visual Studio > Click on Create New Project > Select Windows Forms Application Template > Press Next > Name the Project > Press Next > Select your Target .NET Framework > Click the Create button.

After creating the project, design the form using the following controls from the Visual Studio toolbox: PictureBox, Label, TextBox, and Button.

How to Generate QR Code in C# Windows Applications, Figure 1: A Windows Forms Application UI to load an image and generate a QR Code A Windows Forms Application UI to load an image and generate a QR Code

2. Install the QR Code Generator .NET Library in C#

The first step is to install the barcode library. You can do this by using one of the following three methods:

2.1. Package Manager Console

Write the following command in the Package Manager Console. It will download and install the package for you.

Install-Package BarCode

How to Generate QR Code in C# Windows Applications, Figure 2: Installation progress in Package Manager Console UI Installation progress in Package Manager Console UI

2.2. NuGet Packages Manager Solution

You can also install the barcode library using the NuGet Package Solution. Simply follow these steps:

Click on Tools > NuGet Package Manager > Manage NuGet Packages for Solution.

This will open the NuGet Package Manager for you. Click on Browse, search for BarCode, and then install the class library.

How to Generate QR Code in C# Windows Applications, Figure 3: Finding BarCode library in NuGet Package Manager Finding BarCode library in NuGet Package Manager

As an alternative, the IronBarCode.Dll can be downloaded and added to your project as a reference from .NET Barcode DLL.

3. Importing NameSpaces

For this tutorial, to ensure adequate references, the IronBarCode namespace along with other system assemblies is necessary.

using IronBarCode; // Provides functionality for QR and barcode generation
using System; // Contains fundamental classes and base classes that define commonly-used value and reference data types
using System.Drawing; // Provides access to GDI+ basic graphic functionality
using System.Linq; // Provides classes and interfaces that support queries
using IronBarCode; // Provides functionality for QR and barcode generation
using System; // Contains fundamental classes and base classes that define commonly-used value and reference data types
using System.Drawing; // Provides access to GDI+ basic graphic functionality
using System.Linq; // Provides classes and interfaces that support queries
Imports IronBarCode ' Provides functionality for QR and barcode generation

Imports System ' Contains fundamental classes and base classes that define commonly-used value and reference data types

Imports System.Drawing ' Provides access to GDI+ basic graphic functionality

Imports System.Linq ' Provides classes and interfaces that support queries
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

4. Create a QR Code with 1 Line of Code

The following sample code allows you to generate a QR code image with just one line of code. Enter the desired text into the text box for which you want to generate a QR code. Place this code in the "Generate PNG" button click event. The QR code images can be saved in PNG format.

// Simple QR Code generation
private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Generate a QR code from the text provided in the TextBox
    GeneratedBarcode qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textBox1.Text);

    // Save the generated QR code as a PNG file
    qrCode.SaveAsPng("QrCode.png");
}
// Simple QR Code generation
private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Generate a QR code from the text provided in the TextBox
    GeneratedBarcode qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textBox1.Text);

    // Save the generated QR code as a PNG file
    qrCode.SaveAsPng("QrCode.png");
}
' Simple QR Code generation

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)

	' Generate a QR code from the text provided in the TextBox

	Dim qrCode As GeneratedBarcode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textBox1.Text)



	' Save the generated QR code as a PNG file

	qrCode.SaveAsPng("QrCode.png")

End Sub
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Here is the output of the QR code generator:

How to Generate QR Code in C# Windows Applications, Figure 4: QR code of: https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/barcode/docs/ QR code of: https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/barcode/docs/

5. Adding a Logo to a QR Code Image

By using the CreateQrCodeWithLogo method from the QRCodeWriter class, additional information, such as a logo, can be added to the QR code. The sample code illustrates how easy this is.

Browse the logo from your computer, and it will open in PictureBox. The code goes as follows:

// Open file dialog to select an image
OpenFileDialog open = new OpenFileDialog();
// Set image file filters to ensure valid image types are opened
open.Filter = "Image Files(*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp)
*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp";
if (open.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK) {
    // Display image in PictureBox and store file path for later use
    pictureBox1.Image = new Bitmap(open.FileName);
    // Store image file path in class data member
    ImageFileName = open.FileName;
}
// Open file dialog to select an image
OpenFileDialog open = new OpenFileDialog();
// Set image file filters to ensure valid image types are opened
open.Filter = "Image Files(*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp)
*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp";
if (open.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK) {
    // Display image in PictureBox and store file path for later use
    pictureBox1.Image = new Bitmap(open.FileName);
    // Store image file path in class data member
    ImageFileName = open.FileName;
}
' Open file dialog to select an image

Dim open As New OpenFileDialog()

' Set image file filters to ensure valid image types are opened

open.Filter = "Image Files(*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp)
*.jpg; *.png; *.jpeg; *.gif; *.bmp"

If open.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK Then

	' Display image in PictureBox and store file path for later use

	pictureBox1.Image = New Bitmap(open.FileName)

	' Store image file path in class data member

	ImageFileName = open.FileName

End If
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Next, simply type the text in the text box, place this code in the Generate PNG button, and click.

// Generate a QR code with a logo
GeneratedBarcode qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo(textBox1.Text, ImageFileName, 500);
// Save the generated QR code with logo as a PNG file
qrCode.SaveAsPng("QrCodeWithImage.png");
// Generate a QR code with a logo
GeneratedBarcode qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo(textBox1.Text, ImageFileName, 500);
// Save the generated QR code with logo as a PNG file
qrCode.SaveAsPng("QrCodeWithImage.png");
' Generate a QR code with a logo

Dim qrCode As GeneratedBarcode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo(textBox1.Text, ImageFileName, 500)

' Save the generated QR code with logo as a PNG file

qrCode.SaveAsPng("QrCodeWithImage.png")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

This code adds the Iron logo to the barcode. It automatically sizes it to an appropriate size where the pure code is still readable and aligns that logo to the QR code square grid so that it looks appropriate.

How to Generate QR Code in C# Windows Applications, Figure 5: C# Create QR Code With Logo Image C# Create QR Code With Logo Image

6. Save as a PDF or HTML Image

Finally, the generated QR code can be saved as a PDF or HTML image. The final line of code opens the PDF in your default PDF browser for your convenience. Add the SaveAsPdf in the Generate PDF button and SaveAsHtmlFile in the Generate HTML button.

// Generate a QR code with a logo
GeneratedBarcode qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo(textBox1.Text, ImageFileName, 500);

// Save the QR code as a PDF file
qrCode.SaveAsPdf("QRWithLogo.pdf");

// Also, save the QR code as an HTML file
qrCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("QRWithLogo.html");
// Generate a QR code with a logo
GeneratedBarcode qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo(textBox1.Text, ImageFileName, 500);

// Save the QR code as a PDF file
qrCode.SaveAsPdf("QRWithLogo.pdf");

// Also, save the QR code as an HTML file
qrCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("QRWithLogo.html");
' Generate a QR code with a logo

Dim qrCode As GeneratedBarcode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo(textBox1.Text, ImageFileName, 500)



' Save the QR code as a PDF file

qrCode.SaveAsPdf("QRWithLogo.pdf")



' Also, save the QR code as an HTML file

qrCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("QRWithLogo.html")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Summary

IronBarcode features a friendly API for developers to read and write data to barcodes and QR codes for C# .NET, optimizing accuracy and ensuring a low error rate in real-world cases. For more information about IronBarcode, please visit this documentation website.

Additionally, IronBarcode also supports reading barcodes from images, as well as providing extra options to read barcodes with more accuracy or apply filters to images.

Currently, if you buy the complete Iron Suite, you can get five libraries for the price of just two. Please visit the pricing page for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this tutorial?

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to create QR codes using the IronBarcode library in C# Windows applications.

Which library is used for generating QR codes in this tutorial?

The tutorial uses the IronBarcode library, which is known for its powerful and popular features in generating QR codes.

How do I create a Windows Forms Application in Microsoft Visual Studio?

Open Visual Studio, click on 'Create New Project', select 'Windows Forms Application Template', name your project, select your target .NET Framework, and click 'Create'.

How can I install the QR Code Generator .NET Library?

You can install the library via the Package Manager Console, NuGet Package Manager Solution, or by downloading the IronBarCode.DLL directly.

What namespace is necessary for QR code generation in this tutorial?

The 'IronBarCode' namespace is necessary, along with other system assemblies such as System, System.Drawing, and System.Linq.

How can I generate a QR code with one line of code?

Use the 'QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode' method to generate a QR code from text input and save it as a PNG file.

Is it possible to add a logo to a QR code image?

Yes, you can add a logo using the 'CreateQrCodeWithLogo' method from the 'QRCodeWriter' class by selecting an image from your computer.

Can the generated QR code be saved as a PDF or HTML?

Yes, the generated QR code can be saved as a PDF using 'SaveAsPdf' or as an HTML file using 'SaveAsHtmlFile'.

What additional features does IronBarcode provide?

IronBarcode supports reading barcodes from images, providing extra options for greater accuracy, and applying filters to images.

Where can I find more information about IronBarcode?

For more information, you can visit the IronBarcode documentation website.

Jordi Bardia
Software Engineer
Jordi is most proficient in Python, C# and C++, when he isn’t leveraging his skills at Iron Software; he’s game programming. Sharing responsibilities for product testing, product development and research, Jordi adds immense value to continual product improvement. The varied experience keeps him challenged and engaged, and he says it’s one of his favorite aspects of working with Iron Software. Jordi grew up in Miami, Florida and studied Computer Science and Statistics at University of Florida.
< PREVIOUS
.NET QR Code Generator (Code Example Tutorial)
NEXT >
How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#