pf » Uploading Files Like GMail Attachments

<input type="file" name="attachment" id="attachment" onchange="document.getElementById('moreUploadsLink').style.display = 'block';" />
<div id="moreUploads"></div>
<div id="moreUploadsLink" style="display:none;"><a href="javascript:addFileInput();">Attach another File</a></div>

var upload_number = 2;
function addFileInput() {
 	var d = document.createElement("div");
 	var file = document.createElement("input");
 	file.setAttribute("type", "file");
 	file.setAttribute("name", "attachment"+upload_number);
 	d.appendChild(file);
 	document.getElementById("moreUploads").appendChild(d);
 	upload_number++;
}

...wow, this is right out of Coldfusion Developer's Journal. Did you copy-->Paste?

Thanks for your code snippet.

File upload via AJAX? Is that possible? I would love to have the code for that.

I read ColdFusion Developer Journal and I guess I didn't get to see this in any of the tutorials and articles.

Cool - thanks. The AJAX file upload would be great - i'll keep an eye out for it.

Google brings back some good starting points: http://wapurl.co.uk/?NNM20W2

I am trying to put together a form that files can be attached to and sent but I can't seem to get the files to send. Do I use standardized form tags or is there some specialized processing that has to take place on the server? I'm confused and frustrated about this file transfer thing! Thanks...

link to the CFDJ article is at: http://coldfusion.sys-con.com/read/279878.htm

I added a link to remove some input box:

var upload_number = 2; function addFileInput() { var d = document.createElement("div"); var l = document.createElement("a"); var file = document.createElement("input"); file.setAttribute("type", "file"); file.setAttribute("name", "attachment"+upload_number); l.setAttribute("href", "javascript:removeFileInput('f"+upload_number+"');"); l.appendChild(document.createTextNode("remove")); d.setAttribute("id", "f"+upload_number); d.appendChild(file); d.appendChild(l); document.getElementById("moreUploads").appendChild(d); upload_number++; }

function removeFileInput(i) { var elm = document.getElementById(i); document.getElementById("moreUploads").removeChild(elm); }

Great tip, thank you very much... Very useful stuff.

What if I wanted to limit the amount of new file input boxes to 9 for example?

Hello, i have used the code above. I'd like to send the url of the files and not the actual file via email. I have this code (strHTMLBody &= "<b>Description</b>:" & moreUploadsLink & "<br />") I'd like it to say Description: then all the file url's from the boxes.

haha Journal reader you must be really bad reading your journals, check the dates and you will find that this entry was posted 3 days earlier than the source you´re talking about!

Thanks mate for your articles, and I would really look forward to the solution for the uploading of files while writing ;-) People say its impossible with other webbrowsers then firefox, but google can?!! =)

hello how can i reach to file stream of a added file control in this way in code behinde to save it in database

Hi there, I saw your code today, tested it and done a small fix with Alan's code for 'Remove' option if used along with the conditional statement(by Pete Freitag) limiting max file uploads. I found that if we limit the no of files to say 3 and then removed any of one or more files and again tried to add another file, it will prompt an error saying only 3 files could be accepted wherein there are actually less than 3 files added. So I added a line to decrement the upload_number(file counter) by 1 whern ever a file is removed. The modified code is....

var upload_number = 2; function addFileInput() { if(upload_number > 3) { alert('sorry you can only upload 3 files'); exit(0); }

var d = document.createElement("div"); var l = document.createElement("a"); var file = document.createElement("input"); file.setAttribute("type", "file"); file.setAttribute("name", "attachment"+upload_number); l.setAttribute("href", "javascript:removeFileInput('f"+upload_number+"');"); l.appendChild(document.createTextNode("Remove")); d.setAttribute("id", "f"+upload_number); d.appendChild(file); d.appendChild(l); document.getElementById("moreUploads").appendChild(d); upload_number++; }

function removeFileInput(i) { var elm = document.getElementById(i); document.getElementById("moreUploads").removeChild(elm); upload_number = upload_number - 1; // decrement the max file upload counter if the file is removed }

AJAX can't upload files because Javascript doesn't have access to local filesystem. Only in Firefox is possible to access local files, but for security reasons it is disabled by default. The technique to upload files used by Google is using an hidden IFRAME to do the job. More information about this can be found at:

http://www.anyexample.com/programming/php/php_ajax_example__asynchronous_file_upload.xml

Menja ne predavaj ya tak hochu

Hey Pete! Your script seems to be just what I've been looking for. Just one thing though, the attach another file link only appears after you've selected a file to upload. This makes sense when using the browse button to look for a file.

However, I'll be using this technique with a text field. With text fields you need fill out the field and press enter before the link appears. How can I change this?

Hey Pete! I love your script. Became very helpful for my site while I was struggling with something like this for about two days.

Thanks Pete for this fabulous script

I am using this, thanks it is great. But now when the form is submitted via email I get the file name but no attachment, what am I doing wrong?

Client's side is good! But what about server side??? How happens process of uploading file ???

i can upload a more than 10 MB of file through the gmail id.

Thanks for this nice script!

hii..i am looking for a skilled guy to help me out here....can anyone plz tell me how to remove the attachment..i m looking for innerhtml code not the dom code

hey - nice site! Browser a few articles, I found several things I liked. If you ever get a wild hair and want to to ajax-like file uploads ("fakejax", as I call it), lemme know and I can send you the code. I did it for a project at work, and have similar (though rough) code here: http://www.dudeandvero.com/sandbox/fileupload3.html

On 04/18/2007 at 2:29:12 PM MDT Walter Vos wrote: However, I'll be using this technique with a text field.

I'm in a similar situation. Any help in getting it to work would be greatly appreciated.

@Walter Vos: use "onblur" instead of "onchange" and the link should appear as soon as the text box loses focus.

Would this help me upload multiple files at the same time. I have a requirement where i need to upload around 50 files at the same time and send it to the server as a collection object from a jsp.

That isn't like gmail, in gmail we have a file window getting opened on click of Attach a file link ,not on click of any browse button , can any one help me please in achieving the same.

when you create the file input use this method:

file.click();

var upload_number = 2; function addFileInput() { var d = document.createElement("div"); var file = document.createElement("input"); file.setAttribute("type", "file"); file.setAttribute("name", "attachment"+upload_number); d.appendChild(file); document.getElementById("moreUploads").appendChild(d); file.click();//this line will open the browse window upload_number++; }

the line "file.click();" will open the browse window but theres another problem. after this when you click the file input will go blank on the first click on the Submit button. on the second click on the submit the form will submitted but with a blank file input!!!! and that's my problem too.if you solv this problem email me at baliardo "at" gmail "dot" com

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript"> var upload_number = 2; function addEmailInput() { var a = document.createElement("div"); var email_user = document.createElement("input"); email_user.setAttribute("type", "text"); email_user.setAttribute("name", "email_user"+upload_number); a.setAttribute("id", "e"+upload_number); a.appendChild(email_user); document.getElementById("emails").appendChild(a); var b = document.createElement("div"); var email_pass = document.createElement("input"); email_pass.setAttribute("type", "text"); email_pass.setAttribute("name", "email_pass"+upload_number); b.setAttribute("id", "e"+upload_number); b.appendChild(email_pass); document.getElementById("passes").appendChild(b); var c = document.createElement("div"); var email_use = document.createElement("input"); email_use.setAttribute("type", "text"); email_use.setAttribute("name", "email_use"+upload_number); c.setAttribute("id", "e"+upload_number); c.appendChild(email_use); document.getElementById("uses").appendChild(c); upload_number++; } </script>

Here is my code. Please guide me how to make remove option available here and how to post this data using php. Thanks in advance :)

How to access the files uploaded through these added files in the code behind or some where so I can manipulate them

how to read the files uploaded like this using php

Gmail uses an iframe for the file input box to transfer the file asynchronously. It uses javascript (NOT Ajax) to submit the iframe.

Ajax can't be used to upload files as file contents won't be serialized by Ajax.

An iframe is necessary to avoid reloading the whole page.

See here: http://paraviya.blogspot.com/2008/03/gmail-like-asynchronous-file-upload.html

To Thara on "how to read files uploaded using php"

1. once you get the data to the php backend, you should see an array like array( name, tmp_name, error, size) Here, the tmp_name will be set to something like /tmp/php* - this is where php stores the file temporarily for the request. It has to be progammatically copied to a proper location from here.

hope this helps.

i want to display the links we are uploading wit this program.. how to do it???

please help

this is applicable script thanks for its. but i did try to post the multiple file name at php file(script). i can,t did please i want to help i want to do that

this is applicable script thanks for its. but i did try to post the multiple file name at php file(script). i can,t did please i want to help i want to do that

I did make on small addition. I added a hidden field to the form track the number of attachments:

<input type="hidden" name="attachments" id="attachments" value="1" />

In the JavaScript function, I added the following line above upload_number++:

document.getElementById("attachments").value = upload_number;

That way, it makes it easier to loop through how many file fields there are in the submitted form. I can simply do a loop from 1 to #form.attachments# and then append the loop index to grab each one of the file fields.

Here is the zipped complete source code for that. http://www.sajithmr.com/upload-files-like-gmail/

can any one provide me the code to display the uploaded file as attachment in struts 1.1

can any one provide me the code to display the uploaded file as attachment using struts 1.1

Please can any one provide me the code to display the uploaded file as attachment using Java Script or JSP or Struts 1.1???????????

I use the Abdul Raheem posted code with the remove button. I found a little BUG. For example, if you add 3 inputs, then remove the second, then add another. Now the last added input has the same name as the previous. This could cause errors at server side when getting the files by his names. The solution is to keep 2 variables count, one that is NOT decreases when attach new input and other that is decreased. And use first to create the input name.

I use the Abdul Raheem posted code with the remove button. I found a little BUG. For example, if you add 3 inputs, then remove the second, then add another. Now the last added input has the same name as the previous. This could cause errors at server side when getting the files by his names. The solution is to keep 2 variables count, one that is NOT decreases when attach new input and other that is decreased. And use first to create the input name.

I use the Abdul Raheem posted code with the remove button. I found a little BUG. For example, if you add 3 inputs, then remove the second, then add another. Now the last added input has the same name as the previous. This could cause errors at server side when getting the files by his names. The solution is to keep 2 variables count, one that is NOT decreases when attach new input and other that is decreased. And use first to create the input name.

For Struts file uploads use the Apache jakarta library called 'FileUpload': http://commons.apache.org/fileupload/index.html

For Struts file uploads use the Apache jakarta library called 'FileUpload': http://commons.apache.org/fileupload/index.html

For Struts file uploads use the Apache jakarta library called 'FileUpload': http://commons.apache.org/fileupload/index.html

For Struts file uploads use the Apache jakarta library called 'FileUpload': http://commons.apache.org/fileupload/index.html

Please can any one provide me the code to display the file as attachment using Java Script or JSP or Struts 1.1???????????

Please, can any one provide me the code to display the file as attachment using Struts 1.1???????????

hiii, The code is really good.But i have a problem in uploading files.I am able to upload only one file.Multiple files are not being uploaded. Can any one help me plzzzzzzzzzz. advanced thanks.

please..let me know how to get the each file and insert in database...

"provide me with the code..." "let me know..." Get off your butts and learn how to do the things you ask for! Pete merely gave an example of how to add multiple file upload fields to a form. You need to parse through the form post and upload the files and insert them into the database. There are tons of examples out there.

Pete, thanks for the example. Regards, vig0

Any response to Walters comment above (#16). I am having the same issue when someone just types in the input field and presses enter, it adds the file that doesnt exist... >Walter: "Hey Pete! Your script seems to be just what I've been looking for. Just one thing though, the attach another file link only appears after you've selected a file to upload. This makes sense when using the browse button to look for a file.

However, I'll be using this technique with a text field. With text fields you need fill out the field and press enter before the link appears. How can I change this?"

Thanks,

Hi All,

i have used above code in my application.i did attach more files using browse button and then clicked on upload i did get only first attached file.i didnt get more files on my action where is the problem? i am using rails frame work.

now i want how to attach these files to form.

Hi Pete Freitag,

Thanks for the code, Excellent work..

Following code help all for further process.

<?

if(isset($_POST['submit'])){

if($_POST['uploadsNeeded']==0 || $_POST['uploadsNeeded']==1){ $uploadsNeeded = 2; }else{ $uploadsNeeded = $_POST['uploadsNeeded']; }

for($i = 0; $i < $uploadsNeeded; $i++){ $file_name = $_FILES['uploadFile'. $i]['name']; // strip file_name of slashes $file_name = stripslashes($file_name); $file_name = str_replace("'","",$file_name);

$uploaddir = "images/assets/".$_FILES['uploadFile'. $i]['name']; $copy = move_uploaded_file($_FILES['uploadFile'. $i]['tmp_name'], $uploaddir); // prompt if successfully copied if($copy){ echo "$file_name | uploaded sucessfully!<br>"; } }

}

?> <script>

var upload_number = 2; function addFileInput() { var d = document.createElement("div"); var file = document.createElement("input"); file.setAttribute("type", "file"); file.setAttribute("name", "uploadFile"+upload_number); d.appendChild(file); document.getElementById("moreUploads").appendChild(d); upload_number++; document.getElementById("uploadsNeeded").value=upload_number;

}

</script> <form name="upload" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data"> <input type="file" name="uploadFile1" id="uploadFile1" onchange="document.getElementById('moreUploadsLink').style.display = 'block';" /> <div id="moreUploads"></div> <div id="moreUploadsLink" style="display:none;">&lta href="javascript:addFileInput();">Attach another File</a></div> <input type="hidden" id="uploadsNeeded" name="uploadsNeeded" value=""> <input type="submit" name="submit" value="submit" /> </form>

There's a difference between Gmail IExplorer and Gmail Firefox. I needed something consistent between all browsers and after searching around, I extended the implementation listed here with ideas I found elsewhere and came up with a basic javascript, HTML and PHP files that allowed limited multiple file uploads and allowed the end user to delete files already added.

Check out http://www.estigoy.net/multifile for a working example and link to source files.

I couldn't have finished it without stumbling across the initial script on this page.

I'm just venturing into advanced javascript, so be kind with your comments/feedback, thanks.

Hi all!

I stumbled upon this while searchinf on google for "gmail file upload". Good script!

Anywayz, I noticed that people have tried to count how many files are uploaded in different ways, but i think that simply checking $_FILES does the trick.

Also, you don't really need to have a counter for the field name, simply use 'attachment[]'.

I have been trying for the same think for the past couple of days. But it am not able to upload the files at the same time you are browsing it. Actually i want to make it exactly like google and I am trying it with php and javascript. Can you help in doing so?

code is fine for multiple uploading but how can i insert into database. i write code for one upload and one insert file. any one guide me i am new to java

code is fine for multiple uploading but I have to upload a sets of images at a time.ie before and after images. so, what I need is to show two uploading file fields one for before and one for after image.And once I have uploaded the after image ,the link "Attach another File" should be displayed and on clicking it the two uploading file fields should be displayed. COULD ANY ONE HELP. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

can any one post code to cut copy and paste with cross-browser functionality. Thanks in advance

can any body please send the code to cut copy and paste content on textarea. i need this functionality through buttons instead of pressing right click on the mouse. Thanx in advance.

i 'll try

simply awesome.

How do you obtain the values in attachments 2 and so on. I have an asp form and this code works fine. How do i obtain the data to process in the asp form.