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ENA QR code can connect a printed report with a website, carry payment information or identify a product. QR Code Apparo generates QR codes directly from your data in IBM Cognos Analytics, without an external QR-generation service.
The free visualisation can be used in dashboards and reports. The German article also describes PDF output through the Cognos Image Service.
From links to structured data
The visualisation supports URLs and text with automatic encoding and UTF-8. The documented modes also include SEPA payment data, Swiss QR, GS1 QR Code and GS1 Digital Link, plus the supported TLV profile and Base64 representation. Standard QR codes can include a small centre symbol or embedded image.
Try one record first
The accompanying Excel demo contains 28 cases on one worksheet, including six intentionally invalid examples. Its columns match the names and order of the visualisation’s data slots.
Start with Mode, QR payload / formatted input and Label / invoice identifier. Filter Record / Test ID to TXT-01 for the basic website-link example.
Each instance needs one unambiguous QR record. Filter to a single test case when exploring the demo.
PDF output
IBM’s Cognos Analytics 12.1 documentation identifies custom visualisations as requiring the Image Service for PDF output. The administrator setting Image service – enable custom visualizations controls additional export formats. Verify both the service and that setting before diagnosing the QR visualisation itself.
Test the resulting QR code with the intended scanner at its final printed size.
Free use and installation
The visualisation works without a registration key and shows a small Apparo footer by default. A free, non-expiring key can be requested if you want to hide the footer. After entering it in the properties, turn off Show Apparo copyright.
The package described in the German article contains the visualisation ZIP, Excel demo data and an English user manual. Upload the visualisation through Manage ? Customization ? Custom visualizations, then select QR Code Apparo.
Payment examples are test data. Swiss QR creates the code; a complete payment section and receipt must be laid out separately in the report.
Request the package or a free key from Apparo. The link to the German article below contains the original release information; this English edition does not add a new downloadable file.
IBM references
English editorial revision: 5 October 2026. The Image Service requirements were cross-checked against IBM documentation. Product capabilities and demo details are taken from the original Apparo article; no new visualisation test is claimed.
