# Upload Links/Web Forms

## Introduction

Upload Links in Couchdrop provide a simple way to request and receive files using a secure web link. They provide a brand-able, secure web portal where clients, partners, and customers can easily upload files directly to your cloud storage without needing accounts or access to your internal systems.

<figure><img src="https://391958821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpokYqd27yrOUxIBhyvbF%2Fuploads%2FeODZWQnnFt6tRiEQkCmx%2FUpload%20link%20with%20file%20action.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=8f6f0e76-788c-4fba-803f-45bc11b6c25c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Requirements

To setup an inbox, generally you will need the following:

* Access to Couchdrop, with the appropriate user rights. Talk to your admin to get these.
* A location for the files to be uploaded to.

## How to create the Upload Link

To create the inbox, follow the steps below:

1. From the Couchdrop dashboard - click "**+ Create**" -> **Create Upload Link**. If you don't see this option, talk to your administrator.
2. Provide a name for the inbox. This is simply so you can identify it.
3. Select a location for files to arrive. This is the place where user delivered files will be located. You can choose an existing folder, or configure a new cloud storage connection here. Once you are done, click **Save and Continue.**
4. Click **Save and Continue** and skip over the **Email Inbox** step

Now you will see your newly created Inbox. Copy the web url field by clicking **Web Link** and test it.&#x20;

## Forms and metadata

Forms are a useful feature for long term inboxes. Often Couchdrop customers need to collect details from the uploader. Details like a email address or phone number, or file description are needed as part of the upload.

Couchdrop provides this by offering dynamic fields that can be configured on each upload link. Users will them be required to fill in each field during upload. This data is them attached to the upload event and can be used in file actions (automations) and written to a CSV file in the same location as the uploaded files.&#x20;

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## File actions and automations

Upload links can be coupled with automations called File Actions. File Actions are automations that fire when an upload event happens and can perform various actions on the file.&#x20;

An example:

When a file is uploaded - we collect the email address using a dynamic field. The file is then moved to a folder after upload.&#x20;

## Security Options for Upload Links

Upload links are accessible publicly by default - you can customize access with the security features listed below.&#x20;

<table><thead><tr><th width="328.4354248046875">Feature</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Password</td><td>Require a password before accessing the upload link. </td></tr><tr><td>Expiry</td><td>This link is only available up to the expiry time</td></tr><tr><td>Email Verification</td><td>Require email verification using MFA before uploading files to the link</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature Support

Upload Links are supported in Couchdrop across the platform.

<table><thead><tr><th width="200.6868896484375">Feature</th><th>Supported</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>API creation</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>File Actions</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Cloud Storage</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Auditing</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Automatic Expiry</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>White labeling</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Custom domains</td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table>

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