Updated July 18, 2026 · by the QRHut team
From a document to a scannable menu
Plenty of small restaurants and cafes keep their menu in a plain Google Doc or Word file — it's easy to edit and everyone on the team can update it. That's a perfect source for a QR code menu. You don't need special software: export the document as a PDF, and QRHut turns it into a code guests scan with their phone camera.
Export a PDF (the reliable path)
- Google Docs: File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf).
- Microsoft Word: File → Save As (or Export) → PDF.
- Upload that PDF to QRHut and download your QR code.
You can share the live Doc link instead, but a PDF is cleaner: it shows your menu without the editor toolbar, and it never depends on getting sharing permissions right. The same reliability applies to any PDF menu, and if your file already lives in the cloud, seeGoogle Drive to QR code menu.
Format the document for a phone
A document built for A4 print can be cramped on a 7 cm screen. Before you export:
- One column, portrait. Avoid side-by-side columns that force horizontal scrolling.
- Generous type. Dish names around 12–14 pt read well on a phone without zooming.
- Clear sections. Bold headers for Starters, Mains, Drinks so guests scan quickly.
Our free QR code menu template gives you a phone-first layout you can paste straight into a Doc.
Update the menu whenever it changes
Edit the doc, re-download the PDF, and upload it to QRHut. Your printed code is dynamic, so every table tent updates at once — nothing to reprint. Create your free QR code menu now, or start from Canva or aphoto of your menu instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn a Google Docs menu into a QR code?
In Google Docs, go to File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf). Then sign up for QRHut, upload the PDF, and download the QR code it creates. It's free with unlimited scans, and you can re-upload whenever you edit the doc.
Does this work for a Microsoft Word menu too?
Yes. In Word, use File → Save As (or Export) and choose PDF, then upload that PDF to QRHut exactly the same way. Any word processor that can export a PDF works.
Can I link the Google Doc directly instead of exporting a PDF?
You can, but exporting a PDF is more reliable. A shared Doc link can require the right sharing permissions and shows Google's editor chrome. A PDF you upload to QRHut is clean, self-contained, and never depends on sharing settings.
Will my printed code break when I edit the menu?
No. QRHut gives you a dynamic code that points to a permanent link. Edit the doc, re-export the PDF, upload it, and every code you've printed shows the new menu — no reprinting needed.
Is a Google Docs QR code menu free?
Yes. QRHut's Free plan is free forever with unlimited scans and no credit card. Google Docs is free to write your menu in, and QRHut turns the exported PDF into a scannable code at no cost.