Merge Images

How do I dynamically mail merge images, QR codes and barcodes?

This article describes how to merge images that have a public URL. Such images can come from Google Search, Google Drive or online services that generate QR codes and barcodes from a URL.

Merge Images from a Public URL

This section describes how to merge a generic image with a public URL, irrespective of the origin of the image.

Step 1

In Google Sheets, create a new column and name it whatever you want, but include the tag <img>, e.g. Profile Photo <img>

Step 2

Paste your image URL in the applicable cells of your new column (with the <img> tag).

Your image URL can come from a variety of sources, such as Google Search, Google Drive or online services that generate QR codes and barcodes from a URL. Please refer to the section below to find out how to obtain your image URL.

Repeat the steps above for each image that you want to merge.

NOTE: The image URL cannot be more than 235 characters in length.

Step 3

In your merge template, insert the image *|merge field|* as you would for any other merge field, e.g. *|Profile Photo <img>|*

Merge Template

Merged Content

Obtain Your Image URL

This section describes how to obtain your image URL from Google Search, Google Drive or online services that generate QR codes and barcodes from a URL.

Google Search

Search for your image using Google Search, as shown in the example below.

Right-click on the public image and click Copy image address.

This will copy the image URL from Google Search.

Your image URL is now ready to be pasted into your Google Sheet.

Google Drive

Step 1

If your image is already hosted on Google Drive, proceed to Step 2.

If not, upload your image to Google Drive by clicking New > File Upload and selecting your image file.

Step 2

Once your image file has uploaded, right-click on the image file in Google Drive and click Get Link.

Step 3

Click on the access settings drop-down and select Anyone with the Link.

This will ensure that your image can be accessed and merged by the Mail Merge add-on.

Step 4

Click Copy Link.

This will copy the image URL from Google Drive.

Your image URL is now ready to be pasted into your Google Sheet.

QR Code

Create your QR code using an online service, such as Google Charts QR Codes or Image Charts.

Copy the image URL for your QR code.

An example QR code created using Google Charts QR Codes can be found below, along with its parameters and URL.

Root URL: https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?

QR code: cht=qr

Image size: chs=128x128

Data to encode: chl=samuel%20reeves

Complete QR code URL: https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=128x128&chl=samuel%20reeves

You can quickly create a unique QR code for each data row by using a formula in your Google Sheet (see the screenshot below).

Barcode

Create your barcode using an online service, such as Online Barcode Generator.

Copy the image URL for your barcode.

An example barcode created using Online Barcode Generator can be found below, along with its URL.

You can quickly create a unique barcode for each data row by using a formula in your Google Sheet (see the screenshot below).

Advanced Feature: Resize the Original Image

You can specify the width and height of the image (in pixels) within the <img> tag.

In the example below, the column header Profile Photo <img|200x100> would resize the image width to 200 pixels and height to 100 pixels for all images within that column.

NOTE: Any change of image size within your column header needs to be replicated in the corresponding *|merge field|* of your merge template (and vice-versa).

Advanced Feature: Combine Strings of Text for the Image URL

You can combine multiple strings of text by using the & character in the Google Sheets formula bar (see screenshot below). This is especially useful for QR code and barcode URLs.