> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.couchdrop.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.couchdrop.io/file-sharing/upload-links-and-forms.md).

# Upload Links & Forms

Learn the steps to create a simple web upload inbox with Couchdrop

## Introduction

Upload Links in Couchdrop provide a secure web page for requesting and receiving files from customers, partners, and other external users.

Each Upload Link sends uploaded files directly to a storage location you select. Uploaders do not need a Couchdrop account or access to your internal systems.

Upload Links can also collect additional information using form fields and pass uploaded files into Couchdrop Automations for further processing.

## How to create an Upload Link

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Before you start

To create an Upload Link, you will need:

* Access to Couchdrop with the appropriate permissions
* A folder location for uploaded files
  {% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create an Upload Link

In Couchdrop, create a new Upload Link and choose the type of link you want to use.

Choose from:

* **Upload Portal** — Create a dedicated upload portal where users can send files directly to a specific folder.
* **Temporary Upload Link** — Generate an upload link that automatically expires after a set time.
* **Password-Protected Upload Link** — Create an upload link that requires a password before files can be uploaded.
* **File Request via Email** — Send a file request to an email address. The recipient must verify their identity using email verification or 2FA before uploading.
* **Custom Upload** — Create an Upload Link with additional configuration options.

If this option is unavailable, contact your Couchdrop administrator.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure the Upload Link

Choose the **Location** where uploaded files will be stored.

Under **Configure**, add an internal name for the Upload Link and a description (optional) that will be shown to users.

Enable **Transfer Shield** if you want uploaded files to be classified and checked against your configured content rules.

Click **Save and Continue**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save and test the Upload Link

Save the Upload Link to finish creating it.

Once created, open the link in Couchdrop, copy the web URL, and test an upload to confirm that files are being delivered to the configured location.

Additional settings, including **form fields**, can be configured after the Upload Link has been created.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}

## Forms and metadata

Upload Links can collect information from the person uploading a file using configurable form fields.

This is useful when you need additional information alongside an upload, such as an email address, phone number, or file description.

Uploaders are required to complete the configured fields during the upload. The submitted data is attached to the upload event and can be used by Couchdrop Automations.

Form data can also be written to a CSV file in the same location as the uploaded files.
{% endhint %}

## Settings

Upload Link settings can be configured during creation or after the Upload Link has been created.

### Files and input fields

Upload Links can collect additional information from users alongside their file upload. You can display an optional message to users when they open the Upload Link. This can be used to provide instructions or explain what files and information they should submit.

| Setting                           | Description                                                                                             |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Form description**              | Displays a custom message in the upload portal.                                                         |
| **Input fields**                  | Add fields to collect metadata from the user during upload.                                             |
| **Upload input fields as `.csv`** | Saves the values entered into the configured input fields as a `.csv` file alongside the uploaded file. |
| **Upload location**               | Selects where files uploaded through the link will be stored.                                           |

### Security options

Upload Links are publicly accessible by default. You can protect access and restrict who can upload by configuring **MFA** and **password protection**.

| Setting             | Description                                                                                                    |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Expiry**          | Configure the Upload Link to **Never Expire** or expire after a specified amount of time.                      |
| **Allowed Senders** | Restricts access to specified email addresses requiring MFA. Supports comma-separated addresses and wildcards. |
| **Password**        | Requires users to enter a password before accessing the Upload Link.                                           |

### Alerting

Configure email notifications for successful or failed uploads.

| Setting                            | Description                                                                            |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Success notifications**          | Send an email when an upload succeeds.                                                 |
| **Failure notifications**          | Send an email when an upload fails.                                                    |
| **Custom notification recipients** | Send notifications to one or more custom email addresses using a comma-separated list. |

### Transfer Shield

Transfer Shield lets you define the type of content expected through an Upload Link and apply controls when uploaded files do not match those expectations.

| Setting                           | Description                                                                                                          |
| --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Enable Content Classification** | Classifies files uploaded through the Upload Link using Couchdrop's DLP engine.                                      |
| **Block unclassified files**      | Denies a file if Transfer Shield cannot classify it for any reason.                                                  |
| **Content Rule Groups**           | Applies a selected content rule group, such as **Detect Malware & Executables**, to files uploaded through the link. |

Transfer Shield can be used to block files or surface them for approval when their content does not match what you expect.

***

## Feature Support

Upload Links support the following Couchdrop capabilities:

| Feature            | Support                                                |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **API Creation**   | Create Upload Links through the Couchdrop API.         |
| **Custom Domains** | Use Upload Links with configured custom domains.       |
| **White labeling** | Apply custom branding to Upload Links                  |
| **Auditing**       | Track Upload Link activity through Couchdrop auditing. |

## Using Upload Links in Couchdrop workflows

Upload Links can act as the starting point for file-based workflows in Couchdrop. Files and form data collected through an Upload Link can be passed into Automations and other Couchdrop transfer methods.

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th width="269.26171875">Workflow</th><th>How it works with an Upload Link</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Client upload to SFTP</strong></td><td>Give a client a web upload portal, then use Couchdrop to make the uploaded files available to an internal or remote SFTP destination.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File request to cloud storage</strong></td><td>Request files from an external user and save them directly into the required cloud storage folder.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Upload and route by form data</strong></td><td>Collect details such as customer name, email address, or file type, then use that metadata in an Automation to route the file after upload.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Secure document collection</strong></td><td>Protect the Upload Link with a password or MFA, then use Transfer Shield to classify uploaded files and block files that do not meet your rules.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Temporary file collection</strong></td><td>Create an expiring Upload Link for a one-off or time-sensitive request, with files delivered directly to the required folder.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Upload and notify</strong></td><td>Trigger an Automation after upload to continue the workflow, while Couchdrop alerting handles success or failure notifications.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Upload with metadata record</strong></td><td>Collect structured information alongside a file and save the submitted form values as a <code>.csv</code> next to the uploaded file.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<details>

<summary>Do users need a Couchdrop account to upload files?</summary>

No. Upload Links provide a web portal that external users can access without a Couchdrop account.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I brand an Upload Link?</summary>

Yes. Upload Links provide a brandable web portal for receiving files from clients, partners, and customers.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I restrict access to an Upload Link?</summary>

Yes. Upload Links are publicly accessible by default, but access can be protected using a password or MFA.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I make an Upload Link expire?</summary>

Yes. You can configure an Upload Link to never expire or expire after a specified amount of time. Couchdrop also provides a **Temporary Upload Link** option for time-sensitive file requests.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I collect information from the person uploading a file?</summary>

Yes. You can add custom input fields to collect information such as an email address, phone number, or file description.

The submitted information is attached to the upload event and can also be saved as a `.csv` file alongside the uploaded files.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I receive notifications when someone uploads a file?</summary>

Yes. You can configure email notifications for successful and failed uploads and send those notifications to custom recipients.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I control what types of files are uploaded?</summary>

Yes. If Transfer Shield is enabled, files uploaded through the portal can be classified using Couchdrop's DLP engine and checked against a selected content rule group.

You can also block files when Couchdrop cannot classify them.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can uploaded files trigger an Automation?</summary>

Yes. Upload Links can be used with Couchdrop Automations so that workflows run when files are uploaded.

</details>