File Upload Questions

File upload questions allow respondents to attach files to their survey responses. Collect documents, images, videos, and other files directly through your survey.

When to Use

File upload questions are ideal for:

Document collection - Resumes, applications, forms
Photo submissions - Product photos, screenshots
Evidence/verification - Receipts, proof of purchase
Creative submissions - Portfolios, designs
Feedback with context - Screenshots of issues

Adding a File Upload Question

Click Add Question in the survey editor
Select File Upload
Enter your question text
Configure file restrictions
Set upload limits

Configuration Options

Allowed File Types

Specify which files can be uploaded:

Common presets:

Images (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP)
Documents (PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT)
Spreadsheets (XLS, XLSX, CSV)
All common types

Custom file types:

Add specific extensions
Combine categories
Restrict to exact types

File Size Limits

Per file:

Small (5 MB) - Documents, images
Medium (25 MB) - Larger files
Large (100 MB) - Video, archives

Total upload:

Limit combined size
Prevent storage abuse

Number of Files

Single file:

One upload only
Simpler for respondent

Multiple files:

Set minimum required
Set maximum allowed
“Upload 1-5 files”

Image-Specific Options

For image uploads:

Resolution limits:

Minimum dimensions
Maximum dimensions
Aspect ratio

Preview:

Show thumbnail after upload
Crop/rotate tools

Required Response

Toggle to require at least one file upload.

Best Practices

Clear Instructions

Tell respondents exactly what to upload:

Good: "Please upload a screenshot showing the error message (PNG or JPG, max 5MB)"

Bad: "Upload file"

File Type Guidance

Be specific:

Accepted formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX
Maximum size: 10 MB

Explain why:

"We accept PDF format to preserve formatting"

Security Considerations

Protect your system:

Restrict executable files
Scan for viruses
Validate file types

Protect respondents:

Don’t collect sensitive files
Secure storage
Clear data policy

Alternative Options

If upload isn’t essential:

Make optional
Offer URL field instead
Provide skip option

Advanced Features

Conditional Logic

Display logic:

Show only if relevant
Based on previous answers

Skip logic:

Route based on upload status
Different paths for with/without files

Multiple Upload Types

Collect different file types:

Question 1: Upload your resume (PDF)
Question 2: Upload your photo (JPG/PNG)
Question 3: Upload work samples (any format)

Metadata Collection

Automatically capture:

File name
File size
File type
Upload timestamp

Processing Workflows

Trigger actions on upload:

Send notification
Start review workflow
Add to queue

Analyzing Results

Viewing Uploads

Individual files:

Preview images
Download documents
View metadata

Bulk download:

Download all files
Organized by response
ZIP archive

Organization

Files are organized by:

Response ID
Upload date
File type
Question

Reporting

Include in reports:

File counts
Type breakdown
Size statistics
Upload completion rate

Common Use Cases

Job Application

Please upload your resume:
- Format: PDF or DOCX
- Maximum size: 5 MB

[Drop file here or click to upload]

Customer Support

Upload a screenshot of the issue:
- Format: PNG, JPG, or GIF
- Maximum size: 10 MB
- You can upload multiple screenshots

[Drop files here or click to upload]

Photo Contest

Submit your entry photo:
- Format: JPG or PNG
- Minimum resolution: 1920x1080
- Maximum size: 25 MB

[Drop file here or click to upload]

Expense Report

Upload your receipt:
- Format: PDF, JPG, or PNG
- Maximum size: 5 MB

[Drop file here or click to upload]

Portfolio Submission

Upload your work samples (up to 5 files):
- Formats: PDF, JPG, PNG
- Maximum 10 MB per file
- Maximum 5 files

[Drop files here or click to upload]

ID Verification

Upload a photo of your ID:
- Accepted: Driver's license, Passport, State ID
- Format: JPG or PNG
- Ensure all text is legible

[Drop file here or click to upload]

Mobile Optimization

Mobile Upload Sources

On mobile, respondents can:

Take photo with camera
Select from gallery
Browse files
Use cloud storage

Touch Interface

Large drop zone
Clear tap targets
Progress indicator
Easy file removal

Optimization Tips

Reduce file size limits for mobile
Accept mobile-friendly formats
Test on various devices
Consider connection speeds

Security & Privacy

Data Protection

Storage security:

Encrypted storage
Access controls
Audit logging
Retention policies

Transmission security:

HTTPS upload
Secure endpoints
Timeout handling

Privacy Compliance

For sensitive files:

Clear consent
Data minimization
Access restrictions
Deletion procedures

GDPR/CCPA:

Purpose limitation
Storage limitation
Right to deletion
Data portability

What NOT to Collect

Avoid collecting:

Social security numbers
Full credit card images
Medical records (without compliance)
Passwords or credentials

Troubleshooting

Upload Failures

Common causes:

File too large
Wrong format
Network timeout
Browser issues

Solutions:

Check file size
Verify format allowed
Retry upload
Try different browser

Slow Uploads

Check file size
Consider compression
Verify network speed
Try different format

Quality Issues

For images:

Specify minimum resolution
Provide quality guidelines
Show examples
Allow retake

Browser Compatibility

Test all major browsers
Check mobile browsers
Verify drag-and-drop
Test file picker

Storage Limits

Monitor usage:

Track storage consumption
Archive old files
Clean up incomplete uploads
Upgrade if needed

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