How to bulk create QR codes in Linkbreakers

Short answer

This article explains how to use Linkbreakers's bulk insert feature to create multiple QR codes at once, including the updated directory selector and the CSV format for assigning QR codes to nested directories.

Creating QR codes one at a time works fine for small campaigns. But when you're running events with hundreds of products, managing inventory across locations, or deploying multi-channel marketing campaigns, you need a faster approach.

The bulk insert feature lets you create hundreds of QR codes at once, and thousands within a few minutes. You can either fill in a spreadsheet-style table directly in the interface or upload a CSV file with all your QR code data.

Quick summary

• Create hundreds of QR codes at once using a table interface or CSV upload
• Select a directory for each QR code directly in the bulk insert table
• Match custom domains, directories, and QR code templates without needing to memorize UUIDs
• Auto-generate unique shortlinks for each QR code or specify your own
• Drag and drop CSV files anywhere on the bulk insert page for quick import
• Download sample CSV files to understand the correct format and column order

When to use bulk insert

Bulk insert shines when you need to create multiple QR codes that share similar patterns but differ in specific details. This commonly occurs in several scenarios.

Event management teams create hundreds of QR codes for different sessions, exhibitor booths, or attendee check-ins. Each code needs tracking, but manually creating them wastes hours of preparation time.

Product catalogs require individual QR codes for each SKU or variant. Retail teams need to generate codes for entire product lines, seasonal collections, or inventory locations without clicking through forms repeatedly.

Marketing campaigns often deploy QR codes across multiple channels simultaneously. Creating codes for different ad placements, geographic regions, or customer segments becomes straightforward with bulk operations.

Real estate agencies generate property tour codes for their entire listing portfolio. Educational institutions create codes for course materials, building directories, or campus navigation systems. The common thread is volume combined with systematic variation.

Creating QR codes with the table interface

Navigate to your workspace dashboard and click the "Bulk Insert" button. This opens the spreadsheet-style table interface.

The table starts with one empty row. Each column represents a different QR code property:

Auto-generation features

As you type in the last row, a new empty row automatically appears below. This keeps data entry fluid without clicking "add row" buttons repeatedly.

Each row with a blank shortlink receives a randomly generated unique identifier. Click the refresh icon next to any shortlink field to generate a new random value if you don't like the first suggestion.

The interface validates your data in real-time. If you enter an invalid URL or try to use a shortlink that already exists, you'll see immediate feedback.

Uploading CSV files

Click the "Upload CSV" button to access the import dialog. You'll see a drag-and-drop area and a download link for a sample CSV file.

CSV file format

Your CSV must include these columns in order:

1. Destination URL
2. Name
3. Domain
4. Shortlink
5. QR Code Template
6. Tags
7. Directory

The first row should contain column headers. Linkbreakers automatically detects and skips header rows.

Example CSV structure:

Destination URL,Name,Domain,Shortlink,QR Code Template,Tags,Directory
https://example.com/product-1,Product 1,linkbreak.ing,prod-1,Default Template,retail;summer,Marketing / Trade Shows
https://example.com/product-2,Product 2,,prod-2,,retail;clearance,Resources
https://example.com/product-3,Product 3,,,Premium QR,retail,

How directory matching works

The Directory column supports several lookup formats. Linkbreakers tries to resolve the value in these ways:

• Directory ID: 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000
• Directory slug: trade-shows
• Exact directory path: marketing/trade-shows
• Directory name: Resources
• Nested name path with / separators: Marketing / Trade Shows

The nested name path format is designed for human-friendly CSV files. When you upload Marketing / Trade Shows, Linkbreakers trims each segment, looks for Marketing first, then looks for Trade Shows inside that directory. This lets you reference subdirectories without needing to know the stored slug path.

If the Directory column is blank, the QR code is created at the root level.

Smart column matching

The CSV importer recognizes both comma and semicolon delimiters automatically. If your spreadsheet software exports with semicolons, the system adapts without requiring format conversion.

For the Domain column, you can use:

• Domain name: linkbreak.ing
• Domain ID: 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000

For the QR Code Template column, you can use:

• Template name: Premium QR
• Template slug: premium-qr
• Template ID: 660f9511-f39c-52e5-b827-557766551111

When the system can't match a domain, it falls back to the default Linkbreakers domain. When it can't match a directory or template, the row stays at the root level or without a template until you correct it.

Drag and drop import

You can drag CSV files directly onto the bulk insert page. When you hover a CSV file over the interface, a blue overlay appears confirming the system recognizes your file.

Drop the file anywhere on the page to trigger the import dialog. This shortcut saves clicks when you're working with multiple CSV files in succession.

Reviewing and submitting

Before creating your QR codes, review the table to ensure all data appears correctly. The system displays how many QR codes you're about to create at the bottom of the page.

Common validation checks:

• All destination URLs use valid formats
• Shortlinks don't conflict with existing codes
• Custom domains are properly configured and active
• Directories exist in your workspace and nested references point to the right parent
• QR code templates exist and are accessible

Click "Create All QR Codes" when you're ready. The system processes your batch and redirects you to the main dashboard where you can view, organize, and track all your newly created codes.

Error handling

If any QR codes fail validation during bulk creation, the system shows specific error messages. Common issues include:

Duplicate shortlinks - Two rows use the same shortlink value, or a shortlink already exists in your workspace. Change one of the conflicting values.

Invalid URLs - Destination URLs don't follow proper format. Check for typos, missing protocols, or special characters.

Domain not found - The specified custom domain doesn't exist or isn't active in your workspace. Verify the domain name or leave blank to use defaults.

Directory not found - The specified directory ID, slug, path, or name doesn't match any available directory. For subdirectories, verify each segment in a value like Marketing / Trade Shows.

Template not found - The QR code template name, slug, or ID doesn't match any available templates. Check spelling or leave blank for default styling.

The bulk insert interface preserves your data when errors occur. Fix the problematic rows and resubmit without losing your work.

Best practices

Use descriptive naming conventions that make sense for your organization. If you're creating codes for products, include SKU numbers. For events, reference session numbers or room names.

Use directories for broad structure and tags for cross-cutting labels. For example, a QR code can live in Marketing / Trade Shows while also carrying tags like spring-launch and emea.

Download the sample CSV before creating large batches. This ensures you understand the exact format and column order Linkbreakers expects.

Test with a small batch first. Create 5-10 QR codes to verify your process works correctly before uploading your complete dataset of hundreds of codes.

Keep your CSV files organized in a version control system or shared drive. This creates an audit trail and makes it easy to regenerate QR codes if needed.

Advanced workflows

Many teams combine bulk insert with other Linkbreakers features to create sophisticated tracking systems.

Create QR codes in bulk, then use the workflow builder to add password protection, forms, or conditional redirects to specific codes. The bulk insert establishes the foundation; workflows add the intelligence.

Use consistent naming, directory structure, and tagging to enable programmatic updates through the Linkbreakers API. Your development team can query QR codes by tag or directory and update destinations dynamically as campaigns evolve.

Generate multiple variations of the same campaign by creating bulk batches with different tags, directories, or templates. This A/B testing approach helps you identify which QR code designs or messaging perform best with your audience.

Need help?

If you encounter issues during bulk import or have questions about specific use cases, contact support@linkbreakers.com. Include your CSV file, with sensitive data removed, to help us diagnose formatting issues quickly.

For teams managing large-scale QR code deployments regularly, consider scheduling a consultation to discuss custom solutions and automation opportunities that fit your specific workflow.