File Uploads
Accept file attachments with your form submissions
Static Forms allows users to upload files (documents, images, etc.) along with their form submissions. Uploaded files are automatically attached to the notification email you receive and are persistently stored in private secure storage — downloadable from your Inbox at any time. File uploads are available on paid plans (Pro or Agency, including trials).
Paid Feature
File uploads require a paid plan (Pro or Agency). View pricing to enable this feature.
Suggested File Types (Client-Side)
The server does not enforce file type validation. Use the accept attribute and client-side checks to guide users. Common choices include:
Documents
- PDF (.pdf)
- Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
- Text files (.txt)
- Rich Text Format (.rtf)
Images
- JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg)
- PNG (.png)
- GIF (.gif)
- WebP (.webp)
File Size Limits
File uploads are subject to size restrictions:
- Maximum file size: 4.5MB per file
- Multiple files: Each file must be under 4.5MB
- Total limit: No specific total limit, but each file must be under 4.5MB
File Size
Files larger than 4.5MB will be rejected with an error message. Consider compressing large images or splitting large documents before uploading.
Implementation
To enable file uploads, you must add the enctype attribute to your form:
Complete Example
Here's a complete form example with file upload:
Multiple File Uploads
You can allow users to upload multiple files by adding the multiple attribute:
Multiple Files
When using multiple, each file must still be under 4.5MB. All files will be attached to the notification email.
File Input Attributes
Useful attributes for file input fields:
| Attribute | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| accept | Restricts file types | accept=".pdf,.doc,.docx" |
| multiple | Allows multiple files | multiple |
| required | Makes file upload required | required |
| name | Field name in submission | name="document" |
AJAX File Uploads
When submitting files via AJAX, use FormData:
Important
When using FormData with fetch, do not set the Content-Type header. The browser will automatically set it to multipart/form-data with the correct boundary.
React Example
File uploads in React:
Error Handling
Common file upload errors and how to handle them:
File Too Large
Error: File "document.pdf" is too large (6.2MB). Maximum allowed size is 4.5MB.
Solution: Compress the file or split it into smaller parts. For images, use image compression tools.
Client-Side File Type Check
Error: Your own client-side validation message
Solution: Use the accept attribute and JavaScript validation to restrict file types on the client side.
Missing enctype
Error: Files not being uploaded
Solution: Add enctype="multipart/form-data" to your form element.
Paid Plan Required
Error: File uploads are only available on paid plans. Please upgrade to Pro to enable file attachments.
Solution: Upgrade to a paid plan (Pro or Agency) to enable file uploads. View pricing
Best Practices
Always Use enctype
Never forget to add enctype="multipart/form-data" to forms with file uploads. Without it, files won't be sent.
Restrict File Types
Use the accept attribute to guide users and prevent invalid file types from being selected.
Show File Size Limit
Display the 4.5MB limit to users so they know what to expect. Consider client-side validation to check file size before submission.
Validate on Client Side
Add JavaScript validation to check file size and type before submission for better user experience.
Client-Side File Validation
Add client-side validation to improve user experience:
Persistent File Storage
On Pro and Agency plans (including trials), every uploaded file is stored privately in encrypted secure storage after being attached to your notification email. You can download it from your Inbox at any time — no need to search your email archive.
Pro
- 2 GB persistent storage
- Files downloadable from Inbox
- Private, encrypted cloud storage
- Short-lived presigned download links
Agency
- 10 GB persistent storage (5× Pro)
- Files downloadable from Inbox
- Private, encrypted cloud storage
- Short-lived presigned download links
Free tier
Free accounts receive uploaded files via email only. Files are not stored for later download.
Downloading Files from Inbox
To download an uploaded file from a past submission:
- Open Inbox from the sidebar
- Click the submission row to open its detail view
- Find the Attachments section in the detail view
- Click Download next to the file name
Presigned URLs
Each download click fetches a fresh 5-minute presigned URL. You must be signed in to your StaticForms account. The link is not shareable — it is generated on demand just for you.
Storage Quota & Auto-Eviction
When a new upload would exceed your storage quota, StaticForms automatically evicts the oldest stored files to make room. This keeps your account within quota without blocking new submissions.
- Eviction removes the oldest files first (least-recently-uploaded)
- Evicted files show as "no longer available" in Inbox — your original notification email still contains the attachment
- You receive a one-time email warning at 80% quota usage
- Storage usage is visible in Workspace → Plan & Usage
Prevent eviction
Monitor storage usage in Workspace → Plan & Usage. Delete old submissions you no longer need, or upgrade from Pro (2 GB) to Agency (10 GB) for more headroom.