How to enable Document Uploading for your members?

In this tutorial, you will learn how to enable Documents, allowing members to upload files, move files into folders, and view live previews of various file types. Document uploading is supported in Activity, Profiles, Groups, Messages, and Forums.
---
BuddyBoss provides you with the software and tools you need to help you sell memberships, courses, and build online communities.
We make it easy for you to build on WordPress, the World’s #1 open source platform, giving you the flexibility, control, and freedom you need, to create a successful online platform.
---
Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you can be notified when we post new tutorials, product updates and other cool content that helps you sell memberships, courses and build your own online community on WordPress.
To get the latest news and updates about our products, services and other cool content we publish, you can also follow us on:
Facebook: / buddybosswp
Twitter: / buddybosswp
Want to start selling memberships, courses, or build your own online community?
Check out the software and services we provide at www.buddyboss.com
Want to launch your own native mobile app for your online community, membership, or courses?
Check out the BuddyBoss App at www.buddyboss....

[@phyffercreative7691]

Hey Michael. It would make a lot of people really happy if you add categories and tagging to the document system . Also, make it possible to add to groups from the actual document archive page.

[@BuddybossWP]

If we get enough requests for this feature, we'll consider building into the product. We'll pass the suggestion to product team. Thank you!

[@frankdamienzoe]

Wow, really, really well done... Beyond expectations!

[@BuddybossWP]

Thanks!

[@TWIP]

Fantastic! Two questions on privacy... 1. With images (or other docs) are we able to control/limit file sizes? 2. If a file is made public, does that mean someone could serve that image up on another site? The concern is the abuse of our server by someone hosting a bunch of files on our site for external use. Great update!!

[@BuddybossWP]

1. The max file size is determined by WordPress / server settings. It's the same max file size you would see in the admin when uploading media there. 2. Yes, someone could serve that image up on another site. This is the case generally with WordPress, anyone can easily inspect the code and grab an image link and use it elsewhere. If you really want to prevent this you could enable Private Network which restricts the whole site to logged in users. Then a shared link will fail to grab the resource.

[@dguillemette]

Same here. That features looks awesome, but I fear that people will bust our webserver capacity quite quickly ... Would be nice if we can limit file size and restrict it to members only / non-public. Otherwise, good job! It's awesome!

[@BuddybossWP]

Thanks for the feedback. Note that within WordPress itself you can limit max file size.

[@neven7]

Well done, compliments to the design + dev team. Suggestions for further developments from me are starring / tagging or pinning documents in order to find what you need quickly (in case you do not know the file name).

[@BuddybossWP]

Thank you for your great feedback! I believe this sounds like it might be a great idea for a feature request or enhancement. Make sure you've submitted your insight to our product board here so our product team can review it: [bit.ly/BBIdeas](bit.ly/BBIdeas) 😊

[@lingualism]

I can't get an MP3 upload to work. It displays the file size, but the length shows as 0:00/0:00. It doesn't play, the download link's URL says "Invalid file!". The file shows up in the media folder but again is invalid.

[@lingualism]

Actually, now I tried with PDF and it's also the "invalid file" message. Am I doing something wrong?

[@BuddybossWP]

@@lingualism I have never seen PDF do that. Please submit a support ticket.

[@leksetengah]

3:03 , is that possible to share only in certain gruop? no one even with connection cann access the file if not in group

[@BuddybossWP]

Hi. At this time, sharing your uploaded document to certain group is not yet available, however you can upload the document to a certain (private) group instead and only those in the group can access it.

[@jamesconway8484]

What are the best use case scenarios for using Documents in conjunction with Amazon S3, Wasabi or another external storage provider, rather than using the limited space available with wordpress hosting co. Looks great, thanks !

[@BeingFirst]

Would be really nice to have a widget that shows the latest documents uploaded. Or have the ability to filter documents in the activity stream widget.

[@BuddybossWP]

Thanks for your suggestion! We'll surely consider it.

[@andrewsullivanmusic]

Loving BuddyBoss so far. Is there a way to rename "documents" to something else? On my site, my users will only be uploading one file type and I'd like to reflect that in the name of that section. Thanks!

[@BuddybossWP]

The following link will surely help you: www.buddyboss.com/resources/docs/getting-started/translating-buddyboss-platform/

[@maurogil-angove9081]

Great job! Thanks

[@BuddybossWP]

Boom! Thank you 😎

[@andreasputlitz951]

Wow, I agree. That is pretty awesome and definitely beyond expectations!

[@BuddybossWP]

Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@birdyyyy]

Could we add video through the extension permission? And also will there be an update where the file could be fully viewed on the site without having to download the file? Great job btw!!

[@BuddybossWP]

Yes you could add video through the extension permission. But it will not be a playable video right now, it will just be a video file the user can download. We don't officially support video right now in our default list because we don't want to encourage it unless you know what you are doing. Reason being that video files are enormous, a random video taken on an iPhone might be multiple GB. Your server could run out of space in just a couple days. So if you are going to do this you need to be mindful of that and find a solution. Later on we will add video support, which is not actually very hard in theory. The hard part is implementing an official solution for offloading all your media off your server so it doesn't crash when everyone starts uploading huge video files. Once we officially support video it will include live video playing, just like when you embed a KZbin video.

[@BuddybossWP]

If you are curious, we have a long discussion in Github about video github.com/buddyboss/buddyboss-platform/issues/823

[@paperabsorbdotcom656]

is there any way to let that documents go on Amazon s3 bucket? and get them from there only? may be using CloudFront? looks like subscribers going to eat up the space from web server, same issue with image and album uploads. also there should be setting for auto delete the document if not viewed for like 90 days or something , if we could implement S3, then we can disable auto delete ...

[@BuddybossWP]

You can use this plugin - wordpress.org/plugins/amazon-s3-and-cloudfront/. It can move all media assets to S3 and then delete them from the source server.

[@BuddybossWP]

Cloudfront is just a CDN, it will load things from outside of your server but will not delete them from the server itself.

[@paperabsorbdotcom656]

@@BuddybossWP Thanks for quick reply ! I already tried this plugin, it works with profile pictures, and other photos, but it somehow didn't work for zip files and documents.

[@BuddybossWP]

Try this: deliciousbrains.com/wp-offload-media/ If this doesn't work for you still, you are free to check other plugins in WordPress repository.

[@khulekanidladla]

Music and audio 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BuddybossWP]

Boom

[@pro-educationacademyltd7713]

Thanks great progress, one request please if it will be possible to view the attached files online before downloading that will help a lot , specially if it is an MP4 or video file. Sometimes you don't need to download it. Also by any chance can you please integrate an option of viewing files as Word docs, Excel power point online in the same way as it is in the hotmail.com emails. Thanks.

[@BuddybossWP]

Thanks for your suggestion, we will surely consider it!

[@raycheng3576]

@@BuddybossWP We are also looking for the same features. Looking forward from your updates.

[@zakirfaizal]

Hi, is there a way to create folders in such a way that when a folder is clicked, the user isn't taken to the profile of the person who created that folder? Just keep things generic and away from profiles? I tried to untick the "Allow members to upload documents in profiles" button in media settings, but that hides all the folders and then hides the upload document/folder buttons.

[@rasmusforman8453]

Very useful, thanks! Will there be an assignment feature as well? The possibility of users handing in files to their tutor and being registreted?

[@BuddybossWP]

Right now you could message your files to your tutor privately. In terms of assignments, LearnDash actually has an assignments feature built into LearnDash itself.

[@rasmusforman8453]

@@BuddybossWP But this is a course. Can one place an assignment in the classroom (read social group)? We are more into learning communities than linear courses.

[@LevyCarneiro]

Nice feature! Is there a plan to add editing capability? Say upload a file and you and others can edit it from the BB platform. Thanks.

[@BuddybossWP]

You mean like Google Docs? That is not in the plans at the moment. But we may do a Wiki type of feature later on, we'll see.

[@LevyCarneiro]

@@BuddybossWP I mean similar to Buddypress Docs.

[@kareemadelawwad]

how can I limit space for users for example 1Gb only for free users and 10Gb for Pro users

[@BuddybossWP]

Out of the box, this is not yet available but you may also submit this as a suggestion for our development team to look at, kindly click on the submit idea button on the top right corner in this page: www.buddyboss.com/roadmap/

[@kruegdude]

I'm having a little trouble with a specific use case. When I want to have a document shared and updated by our website members I thought I could tell them to 1) Download the document (in ths case it's a spreadsheet) 2) Update the spreadsheet 3) Upload that document A problem arises when they upload the file as the original file is still there so the file system (or your code) renames the file by appending a -1 to the file name. The next person could see the -1 and download it but when they upload it the system again appends a -1 to the file name so I get "-1-1' at the end of the file name. This either requires rather confusing workflow documentation by me or it'll require a lot of manual deleting and renaming when it happens. It would be nice to be able to replace the file during upload or better yet, have a way of keeping multiple versions of the same named file. I'd go with either way for now. Any thoughts?

[@monicacarrer9457]

This is a great feature! I was wondering if it would be possible to allow users to collaborate on the document and edit it for example members of a group editing a document, either editing it directly or through Google docs? Also, is there a way to save links into the documents folders, so that users could use them to save and organise links too? Thanks a lot.

[@BuddybossWP]

At this time, this not available out of the box. We'll pass the suggestion to product team. If we get enough requests for this feature, we'll consider building into the product.

[@monicacarrer9457]

@@BuddybossWP thanks

[@luxis-design]

Hi Michael, thanks for such feature! I'm wondering if you guys are planning this: In messages, allowing people to record and send right the way, just like a voice message. Do you think this is achieveable?

[@BuddybossWP]

That would be cool! In WhatsApp they have this and it is really useful. Maybe one day, it's not in the plans for the immediate future. The next big focus for messaging is improving the speed. Right now you need to refresh to see the newest messages. We would like it to be more live, where you see messages come in as they are typed.

[@luxis-design]

@@BuddybossWP Thanks for reply! Yes what you are saying is also needed indeed! Live message is so important especially in this society! Once that is implemented, I think you guys should consider implement the voice message I mentioned, it will be so cool and so completed! Looking forward to your great developmnet!

[@BuddybossWP]

@@luxis-design Thanks for the feedback! Yes live message is a priority and will happen this year.

[@jl1090]

Can I add the upload doc link within an elementor popup?

[@khulekanidladla]

Regarding imagick. If I'm using AWS. Will I be able to upload it myself on the bitnami files?

[@BuddybossWP]

Our demos are on AWS and working fine. Not sure if you can do it through the bitnami files or not. This is a basic tutorial - tecadmin.net/install-imagemagick-on-amazon-linux/

[@BuddybossWP]

Also it may already be installed. Check for your php info file. Often it's already there.

[@neograffica]

@@BuddybossWP I am in Godaddy ... Could you tell me a minimum configuration of ram memory that the virtual server must have? 4 gigs is fine?

[@indigetal]

Where are these files being stored in the Wordpress backend? It would be great if a media folder was being created for each group and user upon the uploading of a file to keep everything clean and organized. Storing everything in the default media folder or even just as one big collective batch would be less than ideal! I'm used to installing and using the "Media Library Folders for WordPress" plugin on all my sites but it doesn't have any automated way to organize files in buddypress, which has been a huge bummer for me...

[@BuddybossWP]

In the file system they are stored at wp-content/uploads/bb_documents. But WordPress doesn't care, it displays all media that exists in uploads/ including subfolders into the main Media area in the admin.

[@indigetal]

@@BuddybossWP Yeah, it's the same with the "Media Library Folders" plugin - although you manually create new folders in the wp-content/uploads folder, everything still shows up en-masse in the admin's media page. Installing that plugin creates a new admin page that recognizes the actual folder hierarchy in the uploads folder and allows for easy organization, but it doesn't automatically create any folders for you. I know something like this for BuddyPress has been requested since at least 2009!

[@jl1090]

can I add the upload document link to any button on the website?

[@BuddybossWP]

Please note that document uploading is only allowed in the following: Activity, Profiles, Groups, Messages, and Forums. You can also check this on your end by going into BuddyBoss > settings > media > documents.

[@appleguy1986]

very nice!

[@ferunando_jp]

waiting for the zoom integration 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👨🏻‍🏫

[@BuddybossWP]

Coming later this month!

[@ferunando_jp]

@@BuddybossWP 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤤

[@ellocomaza1]

it is the worst video conference program a child can easily hack it XD

[@AprilRayydessentials]

This is exciting!! Our site will be for our students and we will want them to only upload docs (report cards) to their profile page.. We only want the admins to have access, is this possible?

[@BuddybossWP]

Right now when they upload docs the members are able to determine who can access them, they can make them all public if they want. I would suggest having them message the report cards to the admins, then it will be all private. In the future we might add options to share documents with specific users, but that is not there today.

[@HouseOfOm]

I can't see Doc in my Buddyboss version, how can I upgrade it?

[@BuddybossWP]

Make sure to update your plugin to version 1.4.0 or up (1.4.1 came out today with a security patch). Then you should see it. From your WordPress admin you should see an update available. There was an issue earlier today with the updater not pinging but it should be showing now.

[@myopinions1]

How do i add vimeo or youtube to the feed or discussions? Embed and most ways i've tried don't work.

[@BuddybossWP]

Embedding videos definitely works with the BuddyBoss Platform. Simply paste the video link or URL to your post and once you post, it will display a play preview.

[@myopinions1]

@@BuddybossWP it hadn't worked for a while and then all of a sudden started working. I'm not sure what glitch was preventing it but now only direct url works and no etc.

[@BuddybossWP]

Please submit a support ticket at buddyboss.com so our team can look at your website. Thank you.

[@antoniofarruggia-bochnak3339]

Wow wow wow!

Whenever I click on the document's title, the file opens in a new browser tab instead of opening in your preview window. How do I change this?

[@BuddybossWP]

Download today's update, 1.4.1. It is fixed in the update.

[@The2kBillyG0ATonYT]

Why can’t I see my thumbnails on members videos when my website is live? Please help show me the video link that help me

[@BuddybossWP]

Please submit a support ticket at buddyboss.com so our team can look at your website. Thanks.

[@marktaylor8274]

Hey Michael, is it possible to view a word document, instead of having to download it

[@BuddybossWP]

Hi, It is possible but requires custom work. Though, this sounds like it might be a great idea for a feature request or enhancement, make sure you've submitted your insight to our product board here so our product team can review it: bit.ly/BBIdeas

[@raybrownme]

Awesome

[@metric.international]

Awesome! Do you have an integration with S3 so the documents are uploaded there directly?

[@BuddybossWP]

At the moment, S3 is not yet listed on our integration list. All of the photos and data are stored on your server. You can use a plugin like this to offload all WordPress media to Amazon S3 if you want: deliciousbrains.com/wp-offload-media/

[@rueymsmith]

When I add the document page I just get a 404 error. Can you direct me as to what I am doing incorrectly. Thanks

[@BuddybossWP]

Please go to WordPress admin > Settings > Permalinks and click Save. Does that fix it?

[@rueymsmith]

No, it doesn't. I am still getting the 404 error. I have also deleted the documents page that was created and tried to do this again 4 times now, but the result is always a 404 page error. Any other suggestions?

[@3mishko3]

Actually when I have added the Documents link to BudyPanel, all the icons have changed into simple file icon. Can you help me with that please? Before adding it was OK, all icons for all the links were OK, but as I added the Documents link, it has changed all icons in the one - same icon.

[@3mishko3]

And I am not able to change the icons in Appearance > Menus. Even all the settings are set that I should see this option in menu settings. I just don't have it there.

[@BuddybossWP]

@@3mishko3 This is super strange, have not ever seen this reported before. Did you update both your theme and plugin to the latest version and clear your browser cache? If you still have the issue after please submit a support ticket, it is something specific to your site.

[@3mishko3]

@@BuddybossWP I have solved it already. Thank you very much. Also the ticket has been created. A bit of stress after update, but now it looks like everything works just fine.

[@BuddybossWP]

@@3mishko3 Great, thanks for the update

[@poonasor]

the documents page is blank, I can't get it to show

[@BuddybossWP]

Please send us a support ticket from your BuddyBoss account with the full details of this issue so we can properly assist you and check your site further. Thank you!

[@BuddybossWP]

Hi Zakir, achieving this would require custom work, the BuddyBoss Platform and Theme does not have such features yet out of the box, moreover, you can also submit this idea to our roadmap: (bit.ly/BBIdeas) Thank you!