Skip to main content
PDF4me APIIntegrationsKnowledge BaseExtensionsAPI TesterBlog

Read SwissQR Code in Make

What this module does

PDF4me — Read SwissQR Code automatically detects and decodes the Swiss QR-bill (QR-Rechnung) payload from any PDF invoice in your Make scenario. It returns every payment field structured and ready to use — IBAN, amount, currency, creditor name and address, debtor details, reference number, and additional billing information — so your accounts payable, reconciliation, or payment initiation workflow can run without anyone manually reading or typing the invoice data.

Authenticating Your API Request​

Every PDF4me module in Make requires a valid Connection. Create or select one that holds your PDF4me API key so the scenario can authenticate Swiss QR decoding requests securely.

Get your API Key

Important Facts You Should Not Miss​

All three Swiss reference types are supported
The module handles QRR (27-digit QR reference used for automatic bank matching), SCOR (ISO 11649 creditor reference), and NON (no reference). The Reference Type field in the output tells you exactly which format was found in the invoice, so your downstream logic can handle each case correctly.
QR code is found on any page automatically
You do not need to tell the module which page the Swiss QR code appears on. It scans every page of the PDF and locates the QR-bill automatically — whether the invoice is one page or many. This means you can process multi-page PDFs without any pre-splitting or page number configuration.
Additional Info may carry Swico S1 accounting data
When the invoice issuer has included Swico S1 structured billing information in the QR payload, the Additional Info field returns it alongside the unstructured message text. Swico S1 can include VAT rates, payment conditions, and accounting references — extra data that goes beyond the core payment fields and is valuable for automated AP booking.
Make PDF4me Read SwissQR Code module showing Connection set to TestUser01, File set to Map with File Name and Document fields mapped from step 1

File set to Map passes the filename and PDF buffer from any prior module. The module scans every page and returns the full Swiss QR-bill payment payload.

Parameters​

Required: Connection, File Name, and Document must all be provided. The PDF must contain a valid Swiss QR-bill for the module to return payment data.

ParameterRequiredWhat it doesExample
ConnectionYesPDF4me API connection. Click Add and paste your API key if connecting for the first time.Your PDF4me connection
File NameYesSource PDF filename including the .pdf extension. Map from the prior module's file name output.swiss_invoice_2024.pdf
DocumentYesBinary PDF buffer from a prior module — cloud storage download (Dropbox, Google Drive, SharePoint), email attachment, or HTTP response. The PDF must contain a Swiss QR-bill on any page.1. Data

Quick Setup​

  1. Add PDF4me → Read SwissQR Code to your Make scenario.
  2. Select Connection (or click Add to create one with your API key).
  3. Map File Name and Document from the prior module — an email attachment watch, cloud storage get file, or HTTP download.
  4. Click Save and run the scenario. The output fields — IBAN, Amount, Currency, Creditor, Debtor, Reference, Reference Type, and Additional Info — are all available to map into downstream modules.

Workflow Examples​

Workflow ExamplesCommon Make scenario patterns using Read SwissQR Code.
Automate accounts payable from incoming Swiss invoices
  1. Email Watch triggers when a supplier invoice with a Swiss QR-bill arrives.
  2. Read SwissQR Code extracts IBAN, Amount, Reference, and Creditor details.
  3. An HTTP module posts the payment data to the company banking or ERP API.
  4. A Google Sheets row is created logging the invoice reference, amount, and creditor for the AP register.
Match incoming bank payments to open invoices
  1. A scheduled trigger runs daily to process the bank statement download.
  2. For each unmatched payment, Read SwissQR Code extracts the Reference from the corresponding sent invoice PDF.
  3. The Reference is matched against open invoice records in the database — matched invoices are marked as paid automatically.
  4. A summary email is sent to the AR team listing matched and unmatched payments for the day.
File invoices by creditor name using QR data
  1. Dropbox Watch Folder triggers when a new Swiss invoice PDF is dropped in the inbox folder.
  2. Read SwissQR Code extracts the Creditor Name and Reference from the QR payload.
  3. Google Drive creates a folder for the creditor (if it does not exist) and uploads the invoice with the Reference as the filename.
  4. A Slack notification alerts the AP team that a new invoice has been filed and is ready for approval.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is a Swiss QR-bill and which reference types does this module support?+
A Swiss QR-bill (QR-Rechnung) is the standardised Swiss invoice format that replaced payment slips in 2020. It carries a machine-readable QR code encoding all payment fields. This module supports all three reference types defined in the Swiss Payment Standard: QRR (27-digit numeric QR reference for automatic bank matching), SCOR (ISO 11649 creditor reference), and NON (no reference number). The Reference Type output field identifies which was detected.
Does it work on scanned Swiss invoices?+
Yes. The module processes both digitally generated PDFs and scanned paper invoices. For reliable QR extraction from scanned documents, a minimum resolution of 200 DPI is recommended. The module scans every page of the PDF automatically — you do not need to specify the page number where the QR-bill appears.
What currencies are supported?+
The Swiss Payment Standard defines exactly two valid currencies: CHF (Swiss Franc) and EUR (Euro). The Currency output field will always contain one of these two values as encoded in the QR payload.
What does the Additional Info field contain and is it useful for accounting?+
The Additional Info field returns two types of data: unstructured payment message text (a free-text note the invoice issuer has added) and Swico S1 structured billing information when present. Swico S1 can include VAT rates, payment conditions, and accounting reference codes — AP-relevant data that goes well beyond the core payment fields and is useful for automated invoice booking.
How do I use the extracted IBAN and amount to initiate a payment?+
Map the IBAN and Amount output fields into a banking integration module or HTTP request that connects to your payment gateway or ERP. You can also write them to a Google Sheet or database row as a pending payment record and route it through a manager approval workflow before the actual payment is triggered.

Get Help​

Make IntegrationGet your API KeyMake Documentation