Share files in messages
import useBaseUrl from '@docusaurus/useBaseUrl'; import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs'; import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
With file attachments, you can share additional information that helps your team to visually understand your ideas. Sharing videos, voice recordings, screenshots, and photos can make your messages more effective and clear.
You can share files with other Mattermost users or entire channels by:
- Dragging and dropping files into channels.
- Selecting the Attachment <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/paperclip_F03E2.svg')} alt="Add a message attachment using the Upload files icon in the message formatting toolbar." className="theme-icon" /> icon in the message input box.
- Pasting from the clipboard.
Share public links¶
Public links allow you to share message attachments with anyone outside your Mattermost workspace. To share an attachment, select the thumbnail of an attachment, then select Get Public Link.
If Get Public Link is not visible in the file previewer, ask your system admin to enable the feature from the System Console under Site Configuration > Public Links.
Download files¶
You can download an attached file by selecting the Download <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/download-outline_F0B8F.svg')} alt="Use the Download icon to download an attached file to your local system." className="theme-icon" /> icon next to the file thumbnail.
From Mattermost desktop app v5.2, you can review download status, access downloads, and clear the list of downloads from a new Downloads <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/arrow-down-bold-circle-outline_F0048.svg')} alt="Use the desktop app download icon to review download status, as well as access and clear the list of downloaded files." className="theme-icon" /> option located in the top-right corner of the desktop app window.
Access files¶
Access all files shared in a channel by selecting the Channel files <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/file-text-outline_F09EE.svg')} alt="Use the Channel Files icon to search for files attached to messages in a given channel." className="theme-icon" /> icon in the channel header.
You can share files with other Mattermost users or entire channels by tapping the Attachment <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/paperclip_F03E2.svg')} alt="Add a message attachment using the Upload files icon in the message formatting toolbar." className="theme-icon" /> icon under the message input box when composing a message.
From Mattermost v10.7 and mobile v2.27, you can play and download audio files directly from the message thread.
Access files on mobile¶
- Tap the channel name at the top of the screen.
- Tap Files.
- Tap a file to download it, open it, or copy a public link to the file.
Or you can also click on <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/dots-horizontal_F01D8.svg')} alt="Use the More icon to access additional message options." className="theme-icon" /> to download the file or open it in the channel.
Attachment limits and sizes¶
Up to 10 files can be attached per post. The default maximum file size is 100 MB, but this can be changed by the system admin. See our Configuration Settings product documentation for details.
Image files can be a maximum size of 7680 pixels x 4320 pixels, with a maximum image resolution of 33 MP (mega pixels) or 8K resolution, and a maximum raw image file size of approximately 253 MB. System admins can customize the maximum image resolution size within the config.json file. See our Configuration Settings product documentation for details.
Preview file attachments¶
Mattermost has a built-in file previewer that you can use to:
- Download files
- Share public links
- View media
Select the thumbnail of an attached file to open it in the file previewer.
View media¶
The following media formats are supported on most browsers:
- Images: BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, SVG, WEBP
- Video: browser supported video formats, including but not limited to MP4 and MOV
- Audio: MP3, M4A
- Files: PDF, TXT
Other document previews (such as Word, Excel, or PPT) are not yet supported.
Restricted file attachments¶
If your administrator has configured attribute-based permission policies on your Mattermost instance, file uploads or downloads may be restricted based on your user attributes. Restricted attachments appear in messages with the placeholder Files not available and the subtitle Access to files is restricted based on attributes.
If you expect to have access to a restricted file and don't, contact your Mattermost administrator. For administrator-facing details, see Permission policies.