Do you want to create a form that lets visitors upload files to your WordPress site without giving them backend access?
There’s no built-in way to accept file uploads in WordPress by default. But with a file upload form, you can easily let users submit documents, images, and other attachments directly through your website.
The best part? You don’t need any coding skills or technical knowledge to set it up.
In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to create a file upload form in WordPress in just 5 easy steps. Let’s get started.
In This Article:
Why You Need a File Upload Form in WordPress
A file upload form gives your visitors a secure way to send you documents, images, and other files without needing access to your WordPress dashboard.
This simple feature opens up countless possibilities for your website. Here are some of the most common scenarios where file upload forms become essential:
- Job applications and resumes. Accept cover letters, resumes, portfolios, and certificates from job candidates without cluttering your email inbox.
- Client project submissions. Let clients upload project briefs, design assets, logos, brand guidelines, or feedback documents directly to your site.
- Student assignments and coursework. If you run an online course or educational site, students can submit homework, essays, and projects through a dedicated form.
- Support ticket attachments. Allow customers to upload screenshots, error logs, or videos when reporting technical issues, making troubleshooting much easier.
- Contest entries and submissions. Collect photos, videos, art submissions, or written entries for competitions and giveaways.
- Media and press inquiries. Accept press releases, media kits, or event photos from journalists and media professionals.
- Customer testimonials and reviews. Let satisfied customers upload photos or videos alongside their testimonials to build social proof.
Even better, all of this happens without giving users backend access to your WordPress site, which keeps your website secure while making file submission convenient for everyone.
Choose the Right WordPress File Upload Plugin (It Makes All the Difference)
Before we dive into the tutorial, you need to choose the right plugin for creating file upload forms. Many form builders are too complicated or lack the features you need.
This is where WPForms comes in. It’s the most beginner-friendly WordPress form plugin on the market, trusted by over 6 million professionals.
In my opinion, it’s also the best WordPress file upload tool you can find.
With WPForms, you can use a simple drag-and-drop builder to create professional forms in minutes.
Here’s why WPForms is the best choice for file upload forms:
- Pre-built form templates make it easy to get started quickly, including a ready-made File Upload Form template.
- Powerful file upload field lets you control which file types users can upload, set maximum file sizes, and even allow multiple file uploads.
- Drag-and-drop form builder makes customization simple, even if you’ve never built a form before.
- Spam protection features keep your forms secure with built-in anti-spam tools and CAPTCHA options.
- Seamless integrations connect your forms with email marketing services, payment providers, and other WordPress plugins.
Check out our complete WPForms review for more information about what the plugin can do.
Important Note: You’ll need WPForms Pro to access the File Upload Form template and the File Upload field. The free version doesn’t include these features, so make sure you have a Pro, Elite, or Agency license before starting this tutorial.
Want to see how visitors interact with your forms after you publish them?
MonsterInsights makes it easy to track form performance and user behavior directly inside WordPress. You can see which pages get the most engagement, where visitors drop off, and how your file upload form impacts overall site performance—all without leaving your dashboard.
How to Create a WordPress File Upload Form
Now that you know which plugin to use, let’s walk through creating your file upload form step by step.
Step 1: Install and Activate WPForms
First, you need to install WPForms Pro on your WordPress site.
Since this is a premium plugin, you won’t find it in the WordPress plugin directory. Instead, you’ll need to download it from your WPForms account and upload it manually.
To get started:
Go to the WPForms website and log into your account. Navigate to the Downloads tab, where you’ll see your license type and a Download WPForms button.
Click the button to download the plugin .zip file to your computer. While you’re here, copy your license key, you’ll need it in a moment.
Next, head to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins » Add New. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.
Click Choose File, select the WPForms ZIP file you just downloaded, and click Install Now.
Once the installation completes, click Activate Plugin.
After activation, you’ll see a notice prompting you to activate your license.
Click Activate WPForms Pro and you’ll be taken to the settings page.
Paste your license key into the License Key field and click Verify Key.
This activates your Pro features and enables automatic updates.
With WPForms installed and activated, you’re ready to create your file upload form.
Step 2: Create a New Form and Select a Template
Now, from your WordPress dashboard, go to WPForms » Add New to create a new form.
You’ll see a screen asking you to name your form and select a template.
Give your form a descriptive name like “My File Upload Form” or something specific to your needs.
For example, you may use something like “Job Application Upload” or “Client Document Submission.” A descriptive name will help you identify the form later if you have multiple forms on your site.
Now scroll down to the template selection area and use the search box on the left to find the File Upload Form template. Simply type “file upload form” into the search bar.
You’ll see the File Upload Form template appear. This template includes all the essential fields you need: Name, Email, Phone, File Upload, and Additional Comments.
Click on the template to load it into the form builder.
Step 3: Customize Your File Upload Form
Once the template loads, you’ll see the WPForms drag-and-drop form builder. The left panel shows available fields, and the right panel displays a live preview of your form.
The template comes with basic fields already in place, but you can customize everything to match your needs.
To customize your form fields, click on any field in the form preview to edit it.
For example, if you click on the Name field, the left panel switches to Field Options where you can change the label, add a description, adjust the format, and toggle whether the field is required.
To add more fields, simply drag any field from the left panel into your form preview. WPForms offers standard fields like checkboxes, dropdown menus, and paragraph text, plus advanced options like ratings, HTML blocks, and signature fields.
To customize the File Upload field, simply click on it in the panel on the right side of your screen.
In the Field Options panel, you’ll see several important settings:
- Label and Description: Change the field label and add helpful instructions for users.
- Allowed File Extensions: This is one of the most important settings. Enter the file types you want to accept, separated by commas. For example: .pdf, .doc, .png to allow PDF documents, Word files, and PNG images.
- Max File Size: Control how large uploaded files can be. This helps prevent users from uploading files that are too big for your server to handle.
- Advanced Options: Under the Advanced options section, you can enable additional features like storing uploaded files in your WordPress Media Library and adding custom CSS classes.
You can also enable Smart Logic to show or hide the file upload field based on user responses to other questions.
Once you’re happy with your form fields, it’s time to configure the settings.
Step 4: Configure Form Settings
Next, you’re ready to configure your form settings.
Click the Settings tab in the left sidebar to access your form settings. There are several important sections to configure.
General Settings
The General tab lets you customize basic form options.
Here you can:
- Change your form name
- Add a form description to help visitors understand what the form is for
- Customize the submit button text (for example, “Upload Files” instead of “Submit”)
- Change the submit button processing text (what users see while the form is being submitted)
- Enable AJAX form submissions for a smoother user experience
Spam Protection and Security
Click on Spam Protection and Security to configure anti-spam features.
WPForms includes several built-in protection features:
- Modern anti-spam protection: Enable this to use WPForms’ advanced spam filtering that’s invisible to users
- Store spam entries in the database: Keep spam submissions for review if needed
- Minimum time to submit: Prevent bot submissions by requiring a minimum time between page load and form submission
You can also enable country or keyword filtering to block submissions from specific locations or containing certain words.
Themes
The Themes section lets you customize how your form looks.
Choose from pre-made themes like Classic, Default, Cerulean, or Ocean. You can also customize field styles, including size, border style, border radius, and colors to match your website’s design.
Notifications
In the Notifications tab, you’ll configure how you receive alerts when someone uploads a file.
By default, WPForms sends an email notification to the site administrator email address whenever someone submits your form. You can customize:
- Send To Email Address: Add multiple email addresses if needed
- Email Subject Line: Make it clear what the notification is about (e.g., “New File Upload: My File Upload Form”)
- From Name and From Email: Control who the email appears to be from
Confirmations
Finally, set up what users see after submitting your form.
You have three options:
- Display a message: Show a thank you message on the same page (default option)
- Show them a page: Redirect to a specific WordPress page
- Redirect to a URL: Send them to any URL you choose
The default confirmation message is: “Thanks for uploading your files! We will be in touch with you shortly.” You can customize this to match your needs.
Once you’ve configured all your settings, click the Save button in the top right corner.
Step 5: Add Your Form to Your Website
Now that your form is ready, it’s time to add it to your WordPress site. WPForms makes this easy with multiple embedding options.
Option 1: Use the Embed Modal (Easiest)
After saving your form, WPForms automatically shows an Embed in a Page popup.
You have two choices:
- Select Existing Page: Add the form to a page that already exists
- Create New Page: Create a brand new page for your form
Let’s say you want to create a new page. Click Create New Page, then give your page a name like “File Upload Form Page.”
Click Let’s Go! and WPForms will automatically create the page and add your form to it.
The page opens in the WordPress block editor with your form already embedded.
You can add additional content above or below the form if needed.
Then, click Publish to make the page live.
That’s it! Your file upload form is now live and ready to accept submissions.
Option 2: Use the WPForms Block
If you want to add your form to an existing page or post, you can use the WPForms block in the WordPress block editor.
Edit any page or post, click the + button to add a new block, and search for “WPForms.”
Add the WPForms block, then use the dropdown menu to select your File Upload Form from the list of available forms.
Option 3: Use a Shortcode
For maximum flexibility, you can use a shortcode to add your form anywhere on your site. This includes widget areas, custom page builders, or even theme template files.
To find your form’s shortcode, go to WPForms » All Forms in your WordPress dashboard.
You’ll see a list of all your forms with their shortcodes in the Shortcode column.
Copy the shortcode (it looks like ) and paste it wherever you want the form to appear.
Your file upload form is now ready to accept submissions from your visitors!
Want to know which files visitors are downloading most from your forms?
MonsterInsights makes it easy to track file downloads directly in WordPress. You can see exactly which files get downloaded, from which pages, and how often—helping you understand what content your audience values most.
FAQs About File Upload Forms in WordPress
Can I create a file upload form without WPForms?
Yes, you can use other form plugins or code a custom solution, but WPForms is the easiest and most beginner-friendly option. Other popular alternatives include Gravity Forms and Formidable Forms, though these are typically more complex to set up.
What file types can I accept in my file upload form?
You can accept any file type that WordPress allows, including PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, PNG, ZIP, and more. You control which file types to accept by listing them in the Allowed File Extensions setting. For security reasons, WordPress blocks certain executable files by default.
How many files can users upload at once?
By default, users can upload up to 5 files at once. You can adjust this limit in the File Upload field settings. Keep in mind that allowing too many files or very large files can impact your server performance.
Where are uploaded files stored?
By default, WPForms stores uploaded files in a secure directory on your web server at /wp-content/uploads/wpforms/. You can optionally enable the “Store file to WordPress Media Library” option to save files in your Media Library instead.
Can I limit the size of uploaded files?
Yes, you can set a maximum file size in the File Upload field settings. However, your actual upload limit also depends on your web hosting server settings. If users need to upload files larger than your server allows, you’ll need to contact your hosting provider to increase the limits.
Will file upload forms slow down my website?
File upload forms themselves don’t significantly impact site speed. However, very large file uploads can temporarily use server resources. To maintain good performance, set reasonable file size limits and consider using a quality hosting provider if you expect many file uploads.
Can I receive email notifications with the uploaded files attached?
Yes, WPForms can attach uploaded files to email notifications. In the Notifications settings, you’ll find options to include file upload attachments in the notification emails sent to you.
How do I prevent spam file uploads?
WPForms includes built-in spam protection features like honeypot fields, minimum submission time requirements, and modern anti-spam protection. You can also add CAPTCHA to your forms for additional security.
Can I make the file upload field conditional?
Yes, WPForms Pro supports Smart Conditional Logic. You can show or hide the file upload field based on how users answer other questions in your form. For example, you might only show the upload field if someone selects “Yes” to “Do you have supporting documents?”
Do I need WPForms Pro for file upload forms?
Yes, the file upload functionality is only available in WPForms Pro, Elite, and Agency plans. The free version of WPForms doesn’t include the File Upload field or the File Upload Form template. However, the Pro plan is affordable and includes many other powerful features beyond just file uploads.
That’s it! I hope this guide helped you learn how to create a file upload form in WordPress.
If you liked this article, you may also want to check out the following beginner-friendly guides:
- How to Allow WordPress to Upload All File Types (The Easy Way)
- How to Upload a PDF to WordPress (Simple Guide)
- How to Increase the Maximum File Upload Size in WordPress
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