Share Link visitors can upload as well as download. You can configure the link itself to accept uploads, or you can associate a separate Inbox with the link. A Share Link that accepts uploads is no longer a one-way distribution channel — it's a two-way exchange or a pure collection point, depending on the allowed actions.

Allowing Uploads to a Link

For bi-directional sharing, such as a virtual data room used by external contractors on a project, set your link to allow both uploads and downloads. You can also allow full access to the link contents when it's appropriate for visitors to remove items from the link.

When you are collecting uploads for a limited period of time, such as completed scholarship applications, use an upload-only link, usually paired with a registration form.

Associating an Inbox

When you want a user to download and upload, but you want the uploaded files placed in a folder separate from the link, associate your Share Link with an Inbox.

The same pattern works when you want a user to download a file, edit it, and upload the changed version without changing the source document on your site. Use a download-only Share Link associated with an Inbox.

When you want visitors to upload files but not folders, configure an Inbox to block folder uploads instead of using a Share Link.

See Using Inboxes with Share Links for the full setup, including compatibility requirements between the link and the Inbox.

Organizing Uploads Into Subfolders

Accepting uploads from multiple people usually requires keeping track of which files came from which submitter. When your link supports uploading, you can configure it to automatically organize uploads into distinct subfolders.

When automatic organization is disabled, files are commingled into one folder, and uploads with duplicate names are automatically renamed.

When automatic organization is enabled, you can specify a template for naming the subfolders. The template accepts placeholders for any registration fields collected (including fields from a custom form) and the uploader's IP address. Without a template, subfolders are named from the registration details the uploader provided. When there is no registration information, subfolders are given a generic, numbered "Submission" name (Submission 1, Submission 2, and so on).

Folder Behaviors

Folder settings that affect uploads also apply to files uploaded through a Share Link on that folder.

When a folder limits the file extensions that can be uploaded, Share Link visitors cannot upload blocked extensions. The same applies to regular expression limits on upload filenames.

When folder settings automatically rename uploaded files, the rename applies to files uploaded through Share Links as well. Receipt emails sent to uploaders will reflect the renamed files, not the original filenames.

Upload Receipts to Visitors

Share Links that allow visitors to upload can be configured to send a receipt email to the uploaders. After your visitors upload files, they can receive an email that includes a listing of the files uploaded, any information they entered in the registration form, and the text of the clickwrap they agreed to, if applicable.

Enabling receipts for uploaders confirms to your contacts that their files were successfully received. It builds trust and removes the need to manually verify that files arrived. We recommend enabling this feature on Share Links that allow uploading. This is especially true when the Share Link allows only uploading, because the visitor cannot see files within the folder, so the email receipt confirms exactly what was uploaded.

Site-Wide Setting for Visitor Upload Receipts

Only site administrators can configure the Send receipt emails to uploaders setting, which controls whether visitors to a Share Link automatically receive an upload receipt via email.

When the setting is Never send receipt emails, users cannot enable receipts for any Share Links.

When the setting is Always send receipts emails, visitors who upload files to a Share Link automatically receive an email acknowledgement of their uploaded files, as long as an email address is available, either by inviting recipients or collecting the email through registration.

Site admins can instead configure the setting to Can be set per Share Link. In that case, users choose whether to automatically send receipt emails within each Share Link's settings.

Requirements for Upload Receipts

To enable automatic upload receipts, your Share Link must allow visitors to upload files. You must either send the visitor an email invitation or require registration for visitors to your Share Link.

If you require registration, you can customize the registration form, but the form must collect the visitor's email address. Files.com cannot send a receipt to the uploader if their email address is not known.

Timing of Upload Receipt Emails

Receipt emails for visitors are not delivered on the same schedule as notification emails for users. When a visitor to a Share Link finishes uploading and closes the page, an email acknowledgment is generated within 15 minutes. If the visitor leaves the window open after uploading files, the email receipt is generated roughly an hour after the uploads stop, or up to 15 minutes after they close the window, whichever comes first.

From and Reply-To Address

Receipt emails are sent with the same from and reply-to addresses as other emails generated by Files.com. If you have not added custom SMTP settings, the from and reply-to address is no-reply@files.com. If you have added custom SMTP settings, your supplied from and reply-to addresses are used.

Online Editor Edits Don't Trigger Receipts

When your site's settings allow Share Link visitors to edit documents directly in the browser, those edits do not trigger uploader receipt emails. The integrated editor overwrites files frequently as they are edited, and sending a receipt for every overwrite would produce a flood of mail.

Your Share Link can be configured to send notifications when visitors complete the registration form or upload files to you. Those notifications go to internal users of your site, not to visitors. Upload receipts go to the visitor who uploaded; notifications go to your staff. Use both at the same time when you want both sides to know that files arrived.

Uploads to Share Links