---
url: "https://questionstar.com/help/question-types/qr-barcode-reader/"
title: "QR & Barcode Reader question type — codes via smartphone"
description: "Respondents scan QR codes or barcodes right inside the questionnaire — for inventory, audits, event check-in, or product identification."
lastmod: "2026-07-08"
type: "help"
---

# QR & Barcode Reader question type

## About the QR & Barcode Reader

With the **"QR & Barcode Reader"** question type, codes can be captured easily via camera or keyboard entry — right inside the questionnaire. This is especially useful when specific objects, invitations, or respondents need to be identified unambiguously.

Respondents can either type in a code manually or — if camera access is allowed — scan the code directly with their smartphone or laptop camera. This simplifies capture and avoids typos.

Typical scenarios include:

- Capturing participation codes on invitation cards
- Product codes in consumer diary studies
- Visitor or access control at events
- Capturing patient codes or sample numbers in medical studies
- Internal inventory taking by staff (e.g. scanning devices or serial numbers)
- Traceability in A/B tests or random group assignments

If no camera is available, a photo of the code can be uploaded instead.

**Supported code formats:**

- **1D Product:** UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13
- **1D Industrial:** Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF, RSS-14
- **2D Codes:** QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF 417

## Settings for the QR & Barcode Reader question type

The settings panel offers various customization options:

![Settings for the QR Code question type](/api/media/file/1.-Einstellungen-des-Fragetyps-QR-Code.png)

1. **Input Size:**Narrow (about 1/4 of the questionnaire width)Medium (about 1/2 of the questionnaire width)Wide (full questionnaire width)*Note: on smartphones in portrait mode, the field is automatically shown at full width.*
2. **Value types (input types) for validation:**

![Text input field formats](/api/media/file/2.-Formate-des-Texteingabefeldes.png)

**Text** – Free entry with no restriction**Number** – Numeric input only**Phone Number** – Valid phone numbers only**E-mail** – Valid email addresses**Web address (URL)** – Valid website links**Card Number** – Digits only; other characters are removed automatically**Pattern (regex)** – Free validation with [regular expressions](https://wiki.selfhtml.org/wiki/Regul%C3%A4rer_Ausdruck) (e.g. `^[A-Z]{2}\d{6}$` for two uppercase letters followed by six digits, or `^[A-ZÄÖÜ]{1,3}-[A-Z]{1,2} \d{1,4}E?$` for German license plates)
3. **Input Field Settings**

## Input Field Settings

Depending on the selected value type, different additional functions are available:

1. **Highlight item:** Emphasizes the input field with a colored background. Useful in longer questionnaires for orientation, or for particularly important entries.
2. **Field Placeholder:** A gray hint text inside the input field, e.g. "Please enter code" or "Scan invitation card".

![General properties](/api/media/file/3.-Allgemeine-Eigenschaften.png)

- **Additional options depending on the input type:****Text:** Initial value: handy for typical answers, or to carry values over via piping from previous questions, contact lists, or the URL. 
 →[More on piping](/help/advanced-features/piping-reusing-answers)

![Simple Text Field](/api/media/file/4.-Textfeld.png)

**Number:** Limit to a minimum and maximum value, set the number of decimals.

![Number](/api/media/file/5.-Zahl.png)

**Regex:** Enter a regular expression for targeted validation — ideal for experienced users who need full control over the input pattern.

![Regex](/api/media/file/6.-Regex.png)

## Example of a QR & Barcode Reader question

To help you picture what this question type looks like in practice, here's a typical example:

*[Interaktiv:  — siehe HTML-Version der Seite]*

> 💡
> 
> The respondent can type in the code or use the scan button to capture it with the camera. If the device doesn't support a camera, a photo of the code can be uploaded instead.

> 💡
> 
> **Note:** On the first scan attempt, the browser asks for permission to access the camera. This permission must be granted so the camera can be used to scan QR codes or barcodes.

> 💡
> 
> **Note:** Modern browsers often block camera access when the questionnaire is opened inside an embedded **iframe** — as is the case in this example.
> To test the full functionality of the question (including the camera scan function), please open the example [in a new window (click here)](https://app.questionstar.com/preview-panel/5e36fd96-ce12-45b1-993c-0424fd5f12df/4a4793a1-3d59-4314-a638-8273b9448ec9).