File Upload Question

Use a File Upload question when respondents need to submit a document, image, video, or another file together with the rest of their answers.

For example, you might collect a CV in a job application, a payment receipt in a registration form, or a PDF document as part of a service request.

File Upload also supports other response modes. Depending on what you need to collect, respondents can upload a custom file, record audio, take a photo directly, or add a signature inside the form.

When you create an online form that requires supporting documents, File Upload keeps the attachment connected to the respondent's other answers instead of collecting it through a separate channel.

How to add a File Upload question

Open your survey or form from My Surveys and go to the Create phase.

Select File Upload from the available question types. Click it to choose the response mode you need, or drag and drop it into the required position.

Under Type, available response modes include:

• Custom file
• Voice recording
• Photo taking
• Signature
•  

Choose the mode based on what you actually need to collect. For example, use Custom file for a CV or document, Voice recording for an audio response, Photo taking for a live image, or Signature when respondents need to sign directly inside the form.

How to write a clear Label

Enter a clear request in Label so respondents know exactly what they need to provide.

Instead of:

Upload a file

use a more specific instruction, such as:

Upload your CV as a PDF.

or:

Attach the payment receipt for this registration.

or:

Upload the document you would like us to review.

You can also type @ to insert an answer from a previous question or a Custom Variable.

For example:

Upload the @[Document type] you selected above.

Explain the upload requirements in Description

Use Description when respondents need additional instructions about the file or response they should provide.

For example:

Label:

Upload your CV

Description:

Upload the file in PDF format only.

For a signature:

Add your signature in the field below.

For an audio response:

Record your answer and submit it with the rest of the form.

You can also type @ in Description to insert a previous answer or a Custom Variable when it helps make the instructions more relevant.

How to add an image or video to the question

Image or Video adds supporting visual content to the question itself. It is separate from the file respondents submit as their answer.

Enable it when respondents need an example or visual instruction before providing their file.

Add an image

Select Image, click Choose, and select the file from your device.

The image must be in JPG, PNG, or GIF format and no larger than 2 MB.

Add a video

Select Video, then enter the relevant video link in the field provided.

For example, you could display a sample document so respondents can see what they are expected to upload.

Adjust the layout for Mobile and Desktop

After adding an image, use Layout to control how it appears separately on:

• Mobile
• Desktop

Check both layouts when the visual contains instructions respondents need before uploading their file.

How to make the upload required

Enable Required when the form should not be submitted without this response.

This may be appropriate when a CV is essential to a job application or a payment receipt is required to complete a registration.

If the attachment is optional, leave the question optional.

How to restrict accepted file types

Enable Set file type when you need to control which formats respondents can upload.

Under File type, select the formats you want to accept.

For example, if all CVs must be submitted as PDF files, restrict the question to the appropriate file format.

If an uploaded file does not match the accepted formats, respondents see a Validation message.

Use a clear message that explains how to correct the response, such as:

Please upload a PDF file only.

How to set the maximum file size

Use Maximum Size when you want to limit the size of each uploaded file.

You can enter the limit in KB or MB.

Set a limit that matches the type of file you expect respondents to submit. A PDF document or compressed image usually requires less storage than a large video file.

If your account or question settings display a maximum allowed size, keep your configured limit within that value.

How to collect a Voice recording

Choose Voice recording when respondents should provide their answer as audio.

For example:

Record a short voice message about your experience with the service.

Respondents can record the answer directly and submit it with the rest of their response instead of creating and uploading a separate audio file.

How to take a photo directly

Choose Photo taking when respondents should capture an image with their camera at the time they complete the form.

This can be useful for field forms or situations where you need a current photo.

For example:

Take a photo of the receipt and submit it with this form.

or:

Take a photo of the site after completing the visit.

How to collect a Signature

Choose Signature when respondents need to sign directly inside the form.

This can be useful for acknowledgements, consent forms, or delivery forms where the signature needs to remain associated with the rest of the submitted response.

Hide the question number

Enable Hide question number when you do not want the File Upload question number displayed to respondents.

This only changes the presentation of the question. It does not affect the uploaded files or response data.

File storage

Uploaded files use the storage included with your account.

The current Pro plan includes 2 GB of File Upload storage, while Enterprise includes 4 GB.

If your form is expected to collect a large number of images, videos, audio recordings, or documents, consider the amount of storage your workflow may require.

Review the current Porsline pricing plans for the latest plan details.

How to view and download uploaded files

Once responses start coming in, go to the Report phase and open the Results Table.

You can view and download the files submitted with each response.

When you export results to Excel, the download link for each uploaded file appears alongside that respondent's other answers. This helps you keep each attachment associated with the correct submission.

How to download uploaded files in bulk

When a Results Table contains more than 30 uploaded files, use the bulk download option available under Export.

To use it:

1. Download the file-download tool provided under Export.
2. Export the Results Table to Excel.
3. Open the download tool.
4. Select the exported Excel file.
5. Choose the response field you want to use when naming each respondent's folder.

When choosing a field for folder names, use a Required question that every respondent has answered. This helps avoid empty folder names.

This workflow lets you organise uploaded files by respondent instead of downloading and sorting each attachment individually.

When should you use a File Upload question?

Use File Upload when respondents need to provide a document, image, audio response, live photo, or signature as part of the same form submission.

Choose the response mode and file restrictions based on what you actually need to collect, and make the Label and Description clear about any required format or instructions.

For an overview of other available question formats, review the Guide to Question Types in Porsline Forms, Surveys, and Quizzes.

If you don't have an account yet, you can create a Porsline account and start building your form.

If you're already using Porsline and need help, contact us at [email protected].