Creating a File Upload Form on Your WordPress Site
Looking for a simple and effective way to collect file submissions on your WordPress website? You’ve come to the right place! WPForms, the leading contact form plugin for WordPress, allows you to easily create a customized file upload form. Whether you need to gather resumes for hiring purposes or accept file submissions for a photography contest, a file upload form can streamline the process and ensure that no important files are missed. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a file upload form using WPForms.
Why Use a File Upload Form?
There are numerous benefits to using a file upload form. It allows users to conveniently submit various file types, such as images, PDFs, and Word documents, directly on your website. Unlike email exchanges, a file upload form captures all the necessary information in a single submission and automatically saves it to your WordPress database. This guarantees that you never miss or accidentally delete an essential file.
Step 1: Install the WPForms Plugin
The first step is to install and activate the WPForms plugin on your WordPress website. If you need assistance with this process, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to install a WordPress plugin. Please note that the file upload form template we will be using requires the Pro version of WPForms.
Step 2: Create Your File Upload Form
Once WPForms is activated, go to WPForms » Add New in your WordPress admin sidebar. Give your form a name and find the “File Upload Form” template on the left-hand side. Click the “Use Template” button to proceed.
In the WPForms builder, you can either use the default file upload form template or customize it by adding or rearranging form fields from the “Add Fields” sidebar.
Step 3: Customize Your File Upload Settings
To access the settings for your file upload field, click on the “File Upload” field within your form. By default, the form allows users to upload various file types. If you want to specify acceptable formats, simply enter the desired extensions (e.g., .png, .gif, .jpg) in the “Allowed File Extensions” box, separating each with a comma.
While WordPress has built-in security measures that restrict certain file types, you can add additional file types if necessary. Additionally, you can set limits on file size and the maximum number of files that can be uploaded.
If you want to ensure that users cannot submit the form without attaching a file, toggle on the “Required” switch.
Step 4: Advanced Styling and Storage Options
Under the “Advanced” tab, you can choose between modern drag-and-drop or classic file upload field styles. The classic option only allows for one file upload. If you want to enable multiple file uploads, simply add multiple File Upload Fields to your form.
You can also decide whether to store submitted files in the WordPress Media Library. This feature simplifies the process of adding uploaded files to your posts or pages. Please note that even if you do not select this option, uploaded files are still stored in your WordPress database.
Step 5: Customize Your Notification Settings
To configure email notifications, open the “Settings” tab and click on the “Notifications” tab. By default, the form sends an email to {admin_email}, which is typically your email address. If necessary, replace {admin_email} with the appropriate email address.
To ensure {admin_email} is accurate, go to Settings » General in your WordPress admin dashboard and find the Administration Email Address.
Once you have modified the email notifications according to your requirements, remember to save your changes.
Step 6: Set Your Confirmation Message
To adjust the confirmation message that users see after submitting the form, visit the “Settings” tab and click on the “Confirmations” page. Type your desired message in the “Confirmation Message” box and customize it as needed.
After making any changes to your form, save your modifications, and click the “X” in the top right corner of the builder to exit.
Step 7: Add Your Form to Your Website
To add your file upload form to a new or existing WordPress page or post, open the desired page/post and click the “+” button in the top left corner. Search for the WPForms block and select your file upload form from the dropdown menu.
Ensure that you save or publish your changes after adding the form.
Step 8: Manage Your Form Submissions
To review form submissions, go to WPForms » Entries in your WordPress admin sidebar. Click on the name of your form to access uploaded files and other form entry details. You can also view individual form entries by clicking the “View” link.
That’s it! You have successfully created a customized file upload form on your WordPress website. Take the time to test your form and ensure that it functions as expected. For more helpful WordPress tips and tutorials, visit our YouTube Channel, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
