> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.powerfulform.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.powerfulform.com/field-types/file-upload.md). # File Upload Let visitors attach a file to their submission — a resale certificate, damage photos, custom artwork. The **File Upload** field lets a visitor attach a file to their submission — a resale certificate on a wholesale application, photos of a damaged item on a claim, or the artwork for a custom order. ## 🔧 How to Set It * Open the form in the app * Click **Add element** * Select the **File upload** See [Add and arrange elements](/build-your-form/add-and-arrange-elements.md) for the other ways to add a field and how to reorder them.

## 🔧 Settings

Setting	What It Does	Default
Button text	Text on the upload button	Browse file
Hint	Small text under the drop area — doesn't auto-update if you change extensions	Supported format: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG
Allowed extensions	Which file types are accepted	JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG
Allow multiple	Visitor can attach more than one file	Off
Number of files limit	Max files, only matters if Allow multiple is on	Empty
File size limit	Max size per submission, not per file, in MB	Empty
Access policy	Public or Private	Public
Also upload to third party storage	Mirror the file to Google Drive	None

## 🔄 How It Works **1. Visitor uploads** — clicks **Browse file** or drags a file onto the drop area.\ **2. File is checked** — wrong extension or over the size limit gets rejected before submit.\ **3. Form is submitted** — the file travels with it.

**Where it shows up:**

Location	What You See
Submissions	File preview (images show a thumbnail) with a Download link
Email	A clickable link to the file

## 💡 Example * **Damage photos on a claim** ⇒ **Allow multiple** on, extensions `JPG, PNG` * **Resale certificate on a wholesale form** ⇒ extensions `PDF`, **Access policy** Private * **Custom artwork** ⇒ raise **File size limit**, and mirror the file to Google Drive with **Also upload to third party storage**
## ⚠️ Limits & Notes ### File Size limit **File size limit** is set in MB. The limit applies to the whole submission's total, not each file individually.

**Example — Free plan (20MB total per submission):** | Scenario | Result | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | | Visitor uploads **one** 15MB file | ✅ Accepted | | Visitor uploads **two** files, 12MB + 10MB (22MB total) | ❌ Rejected — total exceeds 20MB | | Visitor uploads **one** 25MB file | ❌ Rejected — over the limit |

Plan	File Size Limit
Free	20 MB (total per submission)
Premium	30 MB (total per submission)
Pro	100 MB (total per submission)
Advanced	250 MB (total per submission)

See [Plans and billing ](https://globosoftware.gitbook.io/globosoftware-docs/settings/plans-and-billing)for full plan details. ### **Storage** **Storage size** is not a monthly allowance — it's **cumulative**. Every file uploaded across every form stays counted against your total, until it's deleted.

Plan	Storage Size
Free	200 MB
Premium	5 GB
Pro	20 GB
Advanced	50 GB

> **📌 Note:** More submissions with files = more storage used, permanently, not reset each month. If you're approaching your limit, delete old submissions with attachments you no longer need, or upgrade your plan. > > More detail [here](https://globosoftware.gitbook.io/globosoftware-docs/troubleshooting/file-storage#storage-full-two-ways-to-fix-it) ### Public vs. Private **Access policy** decides who can open an uploaded file.

Option	Who can open the file
Public	Anyone with the file's link
Private	Only visible via the app admin — not directly by link

> **💡 Use Private for:** ID documents, signed agreements, medical forms — anything a customer wouldn't want shared. > **⚠️ Warning:** Changing this setting only affects files uploaded **after** the change. Files already collected keep their original setting — check them individually if you need them private. ## ❓ FAQs

How long are files stored?

As long as the submission or form exists in the app. Deleting a submission or a form deletes its files too — they're not kept separately.

Can visitors upload multiple files?

Yes, if **Allow multiple** is turned on. Set **Number of files limit** to cap how many. Without it, only one file is accepted.

Is the file size limit per file or per submission?

Per submission — it's the combined size of everything the visitor uploads in that one submission, not each file counted separately.

What happens if I lower the file size limit after files are already uploaded?

Already-uploaded files aren't affected. The new limit only applies to submissions made after the change.

What happens when I hit my storage limit?

New file uploads may fail once you're at your plan's cap. Delete old submissions with attachments, or upgrade your plan. See [Plans and billing](https://globosoftware.gitbook.io/globosoftware-docs/settings/plans-and-billing).

Can I restrict which file types are accepted?

Yes, under **Allowed extensions** — tick only the types you want to accept. Anything else is rejected before submit.

Are uploaded files private by default?

No, **Access policy** defaults to **Public**. Set it to **Private** for anything sensitive, like an ID or signed agreement. > **Still stuck?** Contact [**support@powerfulform.com**](mailto:support@powerfulform.com).

## Next steps * [Open a submission](/submissions/view-submissions.md#open-a-submission) to find the files a customer sent. * [Uploaded files and storage](/troubleshooting/file-storage.md) for how long files are kept and what to do about large ones. * [Signature](/field-types/input-fields/signature.md) if you need a signed agreement rather than an attachment.