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How can I link PDFs to QR code without requiring a sign-in?

Anonymous
2025-07-09T20:51:00+00:00

Hi everyone,

I'm working on a project where I need to link a PDF to a QR code. When someone scans the code, I want them to be directed to a simple page that displays a PDF, with no login required.

Currently, our setup requires users to sign in with a work email, but not everyone has one, which is not ideal. Most of the QR code tools I've explored either only allow one file per code or require a paid plan to unlock additional features.

I'll be using this QR code on printed materials inside vehicles, so it needs to work seamlessly across different devices and browsers.

Has anyone used a platform that allows public access to multiple files from a single QR code? Any tips or tools you'd recommend would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | For education | Other

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-07-10T16:48:32+00:00

    Yes, it's possible to link multiple PDFs to a single QR code without requiring users to sign in.

    One option is to upload your PDF files to a public folder or landing page—something that allows "anyone with the link" to view. You can then use a PDF QR code generator to create a QR code that links directly to that location.

    Additionally, users can also upload PDF files directly to their platform. In this case, the file is hosted by the service itself, and the QR code is automatically linked to it from the start. This can simplify the process, especially if you don't already have a hosting solution in place.

    Once set up, users who scan the QR code will instantly access all the necessary documents with no login or work email required. It's an excellent solution for printed materials, making access easy across various devices.

    Please let me know if you'd like guidance on getting started.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-07-09T21:01:51+00:00

    Dear AishaMR,

    Thank you for your question! 

    In SharePoint Education (part of Microsoft 365 for Education), all content is private by default, which means users must sign in with an organizational account to access files. This is designed to ensure data protection and compliance with education-specific regulations like FERPA (in the U.S.) or similar student privacy laws elsewhere. 

    Therefore, when users scan the QR code linked to a PDF stored in SharePoint, the system will require them to sign in using a Microsoft account from your organization (e.g., a school email address). 

    Why public access via SharePoint is not possible:

    • The "Anyone with the link" sharing option (anonymous access) is typically disabled by default by your tenant’s IT administrator in educational environments.
    • Even if the PDF contains only general or non-sensitive information, SharePoint in education tenants prioritizes security and does not allow anonymous access like commercial versions might.
    • Unless your IT department specifically enables anonymous sharing, users without organizational accounts will not be able to view the file, even with a QR code or direct link.

    Conclusion:

    If you need users to scan a QR code and view a PDF without signing in, the solution will need to be implemented outside of SharePoint Education. 

    To better assist you, I’ve sent you a private message (PM).

    Steps to access View Private Messages: 

    1. Sign in to Microsoft Community with the email account that was used to post this thread.
    2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the page.
    3. Select My Profile to access private messaging options.

    I look forward to your response and I look forward to hearing from you soon so that we can continue to work towards a resolution. 

    Best regards 

    Ryan-N-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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