How to Create a WordPress Form with File Upload (Dropbox and Google Drive)

File upload forms in WordPress allow users to submit documents, images, or other files directly through a form. Using MetForm, you can create a file upload form, connect it with Dropbox or Google Drive, add a File Upload field, and automatically store submitted files in cloud storage instead of your server.

This setup removes the need for email attachments and keeps all uploaded files organized in one place. It is especially useful for job applications, support tickets, contact requests, or any form that requires users to share supporting documents securely.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a file upload form is, why it’s necessary, and how to create a WordPress form with file upload using MetForm.

What is a WordPress file upload form?

A WordPress file upload form enables users to submit files such as documents, images, or media directly through a form on your website. Instead of sending files via email or external tools, users can upload them securely, and site owners can access those files from the WordPress dashboard.

Why need a file upload form in WordPress?

File upload forms are essential when user submissions require documents, images, or supporting files instead of text alone. They simplify file collection, keeping all submissions organized inside WordPress.

Here are the significance of integrating a file upload form in WordPress:

• Many use cases require more than text input, such as documents, images, or supporting files
• Job application forms need resumes, portfolios, or certificates from applicants
• Support and feedback forms work better with screenshots or error logs attached
• Contact and request forms may require files for reference or approval
• File upload forms store submissions centrally in WordPress, not scattered across emails
• They help avoid email attachment limits and delivery failures
• With proper settings, file upload forms enable secure and controlled file collection

How to create a WordPress form with file upload

As a prerequisite before creating a WordPress file upload form, install and activate MetForm, a Construtor de formulários WordPress, along with Elementor. Since MetForm is an Elementor addon, the free version of Elementor needs to be installed and activated on your site to access this solution.

Here are the solutions you have to install on your WordPress site:

• Elementor
• MetForm (File upload form builder)
• MetForm Pro

After that, add a file upload form by following the steps below:

Step 1: Create a form with a template

First, you need to add a form with a pre-built template. You can also create one from scratch. For creating a form:

• Navegar para MetForm → Forms.
• Clique no “Add New Form” botão.
• Selecione um modelo.
• aperte o “Editar formulário” botão.

Step 2: Add file upload field

After redirecting to the Elementor editor, add a file upload field by:

• Searching for the “File upload” campo.
• Adicionando it to the layout.

Step 3: Customize file upload form

In the third step, customize the file upload form according to your brand or desire. Here, navigate to the content tab and adjust:

• Mostrar etiqueta: Enable it to show a label.
• Posição: Set label position.
• Rótulo: Enter label.
• Nome: Enter name for the label.
• Texto de ajuda: Add help text for the file upload field.
• Choose File Text: Fill this field with file text.
• No File Chosen Text: Text for not selecting a file.
• File Upload Icon: Add an Icon for the file upload field.

Then, expand the settings tab and customize:

• Obrigatório: Enable making this field required.
• Enable Multiple File Upload: Turn on to let users upload multiple files.
• File Size Limit: Set file size limit.
• File Types: Enter file types that a user can upload.

Próximo, visite a guia Estilo and adjust Color, Typography, Padding, Margin, Background Type, Border Type, Border Radius, etc. for the Label and Input fields. Also, customize other fields accordingly.

Finally, hit the "Publicar" button to make your file upload form live.

Share Dropbox file links directly in form

Creating a WordPress form with file upload becomes straightforward when you use a form builder that supports cloud storage integrations. In this guide, you will learn how to add a file upload option to your WordPress forms and automatically store submitted files in Dropbox or Google Drive.

Here are the steps you have to adopt to share Dropbox files in WordPress forms:

Step 1: Integrate with Dropbox

The first step you have to follow after installing and activating the WordPress file upload form builder, MetForm, is to integrate Dropbox with it. To add Dropbox to MetForm, you have to:

• Vá para MetForm → Settings → Integrations
• Connect and authorize your Dropbox account
• Completo the integration setup

Segue o Dropbox integration documentation for in-detail guide.

Step 2: Edit a form

Next to completing documentation, navigate to forms under MetForm and edit a form where you want to add a file upload field or option.

Step 3: Choose Dropbox folder

Now, you have to connect Dropbox by:

• Enabling the Dropbox toggle from the Integration tab.
• Reloading the Folder List.
• Selecting your desired folder from the dropdown menu.
• Scrolling down to “Edit Content”.

Step 4: Drag-and-drop file upload field

In this step, you have to drag and drop the File Upload field on the right side from the Widgets section .

Finalmente, press the “Update” or “Publish” button to integrate the file upload option in your WordPress form. Afterwards, upload to test whether the file upload form is working correctly.

All the uploaded files will be stored in the selected folder of your Dropbox account.

File upload in WordPress forms with Google Drive

To enable file upload in WordPress forms with Google Drive, first integrate Google Drive from MetForm’s Settings, enable the Google Drive settings, and drag-and-drop the file upload field.

For a complete guide, follow the steps below to add a file upload in WordPress:

Step 1: Integrate with Google Drive

Similar to the Dropbox integration, you have to integrate Google Drive with WordPress by

• Visiting MetForm → Settings → Google Integration.
• Authenticating your Google account.
• Completing the Google Drive setup.

Follow the complete integration process from the MetForm Google Drive documentação.

Step 2: Edit Form

Na segunda etapa, você deve edite o formulário from the Forms tab where you want to add a file upload option. This will open up a popup from where you need to configure further settings.

Step 3: Enable Google Drive

Na terceira etapa, visite a guia Integração e scroll down until you find “Google Drive”.

Then, go through the following configurations:

• Google Drive: Turn on the toggle button.
• Folder List: Reload the list.
• Isso vai atualizar Google Drive.
• Scroll down and click the “Edit Content” botão.

Step 4: Add file upload field

In this step, you have to add a “File Upload” field. Now, to add a file upload option:

• Procurar for the “File Upload” widget.
• Drag-and-drop it on the right side.
• Customizar content such as Label, Position, Name, Help Text, etc.
• Ajustar color, typography, padding, margin, etc for the Label and Input.
• Finally, hit the “Atualizar” ou “Publicar” botão.

Try adding WordPress file upload form with MetForm:

How to Secure File Upload Forms in WordPress

File upload forms must be secured to prevent malicious uploads, spam, and server misuse. Without proper restrictions, file uploads can become a serious security risk.

To secure file upload forms:

• Allow only specific file types (PDF, JPG, PNG, DOCX, etc.)
• Definir um maximum file size limit
• Bloquear executable and script files
• Usar spam protection (reCAPTCHA ou validação)
• Restrict who can access uploaded files

Common Issues With WordPress File Upload Forms 

Most file upload problems happen due to server limits or incorrect form settings, not WordPress itself.

Common issues include:

• File size exceeds server or PHP limits
• Upload fails without showing an error
• Files don’t appear in email notifications
• Unsupported file types are blocked automatically
• Hosting restrictions prevent uploads

In most cases, adjusting file size limits, allowed file types, or server configuration resolves the issue quickly.

Perguntas frequentes 

Can users upload multiple files in one form?

Yes, users can upload multiple files in one form if the file upload field supports multi-file selection. You can enable this option and also control how many files a user is allowed to upload in a single submission.

Are file upload forms safe?

File upload forms are safe when proper security measures are in place. Restricting file types, limiting file size, implementing anti-spam protection, and validating uploads significantly reduce risks.

What file types should be blocked?

You should always block executable and script-based files, such as .exe, .js, .php, .sh, and .bat. These file types can be used to run malicious code and should never be accepted through public forms.

Do file uploads affect site performance?

File uploads can affect site performance if large files are allowed without limits. Setting reasonable file size caps and avoiding unnecessary media uploads helps prevent storage overload and performance issues.

Empacotando

Adding a file upload form to your WordPress site simplifies document collection and improves overall workflow efficiency. With MetForm, you can collect files securely and store them in Dropbox or Google Drive to eliminate common issues like email attachment limits and scattered file storage.

Once your form is properly configured, apply basic security measures such as spam protection, validation, and size limits to ensure safe and controlled uploads. This will help you to create reliable WordPress file upload forms suitable for job applications, support requests, and other file-based submissions.