# Upload a file

_How to add and configure an Upload a file field in the Notebook Editor._

---

## What This Field Does

An Attach File field provides general-purpose file upload, accepting any
file type without restriction — PDFs, spreadsheets, audio recordings,
sketches, scanned documents, or data files. It supports drag-and-drop on
desktop and integrates with platform-native file pickers on mobile.
Use it when you need to attach reference material, lab results, or any
non-photographic media to a record.

## Adding the Field

To add this field, open the
[ADD A FIELD dialog](../shared-settings/adding-a-field.md), navigate to the
**MEDIA** tab, and click the **Upload a File** card. Then click the
**ADD FIELD** button in the lower right.

```{screenshot} field-types-design/attach-file-01-add-field.png
:alt: Adding an Attach File — the MEDIA tab in the ADD A FIELD dialog
:align: right
:width: 100%
```

## Configuring the Field

Click the field's **grey header bar** to expand it and see its settings.
For an overview of the settings shared by all fields — including Label,
Helper Text, Field ID, and the field toolbar — see
[Field Identity](../shared-settings/field-identity.md) and
[Field Toolbar](../shared-settings/field-toolbar.md).

Give the field a meaningful Label, review the auto-populated
Field ID, and add any desired Helper Text.

```{screenshot} field-types-design/attach-file-02-configured.png
:alt: Attach File configuration in the {{Notebook}} Editor
:align: right
:width: 100%
```

### Shared Field Options

Configure any of the shared field options as needed.

For settings shared across all field types — including Required,
Annotation, Uncertainty, Conditions, Copy value to new records,
and Display in child records — see
[Field Options](../shared-settings/field-options.md).

## Tips

- **More flexible than Take Photo but less streamlined for camera
  workflows.** Use Attach File when you need to upload documents,
  data files, or media from external sources (e.g., photos from an
  external camera). Use Take Photo when attached media will include
  images captured with the device camera.
- **Upload times vary significantly by file size and connection
  quality**. In low-bandwidth field conditions, keep attached files
  small or defer uploads to when connectivity improves. Files are
  queued locally and synced when a connection is available.
- **Good for**: scanned field notes, lab results, reference documents,
  audio recordings of oral descriptions, or any file type that does
  not need camera integration.