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Upload files from the frontend with WP File Download

UPLOAD-FILES-FROM-THE-FRONTEND-WITH-WP-FILE-DOWNLOAD

Files on WordPress are a one-way street—at least, traditionally. You upload files, edit files and share files. Your users are just spectators and viewers. Now, however, you can use WP File Download to give your WordPress users and collaborators the possibility of uploading files right from the frontend.

The ability to upload files from the frontend is only one of the new features in the latest version of WP File Download. The updated WordPress plugin also lets you publish and unpublish files, and adds a new user role. Keep reading to learn more!

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WordPress file upload from the frontend

The biggest change in WP File Download has to be the ability to allow users to upload files from the frontend. There are two ways for users to upload files. The first option is simple: add a shortcode to any post or page, or possibly even to the theme itself.

Like all of the plugin's shortcodes, the upload form shortcode is in WP File Download's Configuration, under the Shortcode tab. Look for the Upload Form Shortcode Generator heading to create a file upload form. You will first need to choose a category where to upload. Then, you have to decide whether to display all files in the category, or hide them for security.

Once you generate the shortcode, you will need to place it anywhere on your WordPress blog. Copy the shortcode and paste it into any post or page, or even your theme if you want to display the upload form everywhere. After saving, the upload form should appear in the frontend for your users.

The second option is to show the upload form automatically, but only for select categories. This option is quicker and easier than generating a shortcode. All you have to do is head to WP File Download's file manager and click on any category. Scroll down until you see the show upload form switch and toggle it on.

Any upload forms generated in this way will accompany the category wherever it appears. Therefore to show the file upload form, you need to embed the category anywhere on your WordPress website. Simply copy-paste the category shortcode from the side-menu into any WordPress post or page, or embed the category using one of WP File Download's blocks.

Publishing and unpublishing files on WordPress

While allowing users to upload files is a convenient way of encouraging collaboration, it can also be dangerous. Think of all the security risks that you could incur if just about anyone could upload their files! Thankfully, there is a way of avoiding needless risks by using the new user role in WP File Download 5.1.

As usual, the usual roles are in WP File Download's Configuration, under the user roles tab. The very last option for each user role is the upload files on frontend. Toggling this switch on allows users with the same role to upload files using any upload form in the frontend, and vice-versa if you toggle the switch off.

At the same time, you might want to allow any user to upload files, but vet what they upload before publishing. WP File Download also caters to this possibility. If a user role can upload files from the frontend, but they do not have access to edit categories or edit own categories, the file will not be published by default. Instead, it will have a label next to it—waiting for approval.

Files that are waiting for approval are not visible to anyone but you, in the backend. To make files visible to everyone, you need to publish them—another new feature in WP File Download. Publishing files means making them visible, and you can also unpublish, or hide, existing files in your library.

Publishing and unpublishing files is really simple too. You can click on a file from WP File Download's interface and toggle the first switch in the sidebar to publish or unpublish a file. You can also publish and unpublish files in bulk. Press and hold Ctrl to select files, and then publish or unpublish them all using the buttons in the toolbar.

Calling all webmasters!

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Handling files on WordPress has never been so easy. The latest version of WP File Download opens file management with awesome themes to your WordPress users while still giving you complete control over your blog's contents.

Interested in expanding your file toolkit? Check out WP File Download here

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Friday, March 29 2024

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