Users can upload files in different contexts across Vista. The File Upload pattern ensures users are presented with a consistent UI regardless of the file types uploaded or the specific page navigated to. This pattern covers the most common scenarios but is not intended to be comprehensive. If you have a unique use case, reach out to #help-swan so we can track its usage for future iterations of this pattern.
Use the File Upload pattern...
When presenting users with the ability to upload files.
To display a user’s previously uploaded files.
For consistent and repeatable UI, allowing users to apply knowledge across multiple scenarios.
Anatomy
1. Heading and description
For the heading, use a font skin that corresponds with the visual hierarchy of the page. The description might give a recommendation of best type of file to upload to achieve task. Both are optional depending on scenario.
2. Upload initiation
Use File Dropzone or File Input. The recommended appearance of File Input has an icon positioned left, with iconType=”upload”, and the copy “Upload from device”.
3. File requirements
List out the file upload requirements. See more here.
4. Uploaded files
Use File Tiles to represent uploaded files. Use Grid to organise File Tiles. See more here.
Components
File Dropzone
Use File Dropzone by default when presenting users with a view to upload a file. File Dropzone allows the user to upload one or multiple files via drag-and-drop.
Refer to File Dropzone for component usage guidelines.
File Input
Alternatively, use File Input for scenarios where there’s limited space for uploads. However, File Dropzone is the preferred method.
Refer to File Input for component usage guidelines.
File Tile
Use File Tile to depict a file that has been uploaded by a user. File Tile is a representation of a file such as an uploaded image or a template asset.
Refer to File Tile for component usage guidelines.
Behavior
Single file upload
In scenarios where only a single file can be uploaded (e.g. uploading an avatar), add the File Tile as a child of the File Dropzone which applies specific styling for single file upload. This approach allows the UI to stay consistently sized. Refer to File Dropzone for more information.
Since it is an input element, File Dropzone or File Input can be used inside of a FormInputGroup along with a separate, external label and/or helper text. Helper text should display upload criteria such as accepted file formats and maximum file size. FormLabel can be added if a specific scenario calls for it. List any file upload requirements as follows:
File format requirement: Use the term “Accepted file formats” and style file extensions in uppercase with no dot. e.g. “JPG, PNG, GIF”.
Size requirement: Use the term “Max file size” and style data as digits, a space, and file size. e.g. “10 MB”.
Max files requirement: Use the term “Max number of files” and style data as a digit. e.g. “4”.
For uploads with multiple file requirements, use a bulleted list to easily distinguish between each requirement.
For upload validation errors, use the ErrorHelper on the FormInputGroup component. The error text should be descriptive and give users a recommended action to rectify the issue.
The preview has been updated.
<StandardForm>
<FormField>
<FormInputGroup>
<FileDropzone
note="or drag and drop here"
dropNote="Drop your files here"
multiFileErrorMessage="Upload only one file"
aria-label="Dropzone"
>
<FileInput>
<FileInputLabeliconPosition="left">
<IconiconType="upload"/> Upload from device
</FileInputLabel>
</FileInput>
</FileDropzone>
<FormError>
Max number of files is 4. Please upload up to 4 files.
</FormError>
</FormInputGroup>
</FormField>
</StandardForm>
File Tile can also show errors specific to the file. e.g. a file has failed to upload or is corrupted. To show an error on a File Tile, set skin="error" and set an errorMessage.
The preview has been updated.
<FormField>
<FileTile
style={{maxWidth:'300px'}}
skin="error"
errorMessage="Max file size is 10 MB. Please upload a smaller file."
fileName="File name.jpg"
fileDescription="3.56 MB"
accessibleTextForProgress="0% loaded"
accessibleTextForSpinner="Waiting"
>
<FileTileThumbnail/>
<FileTileDeleteButton/>
</FileTile>
</FormField>
Loading
File Tile has multiple skins to display different file states. The queued skin is for files that are waiting to be uploaded, while the loading skin is for files that are currently being uploaded.
The preview has been updated.
<FormField>
<GridContainer>
<Row>
<Columnspan={6}spanLg={4}spanXl={3}mb={5}>
<FileTile
skin="queued"
fileName="File name.jpg"
fileDescription="3.56 MB"
accessibleTextForProgress="0% loaded"
accessibleTextForSpinner="Waiting"
>
<FileTileThumbnail/>
<FileTileDeleteButton/>
</FileTile>
</Column>
<Columnspan={6}spanLg={4}spanXl={3}mb={5}>
<FileTile
skin="loading"
progressValue={56}
fileName="File name.jpg"
fileDescription="3.56 MB"
accessibleTextForProgress="56% loaded"
accessibleTextForSpinner="Waiting"
>
<FileTileThumbnail/>
<FileTileDeleteButton/>
</FileTile>
</Column>
</Row>
</GridContainer>
</FormField>
Layout
Use the semantic space between-subsections to put vertical space between the File Dropzone and any uploaded files. Files should be ordered from newest to oldest, therefore, as more files are uploaded, they’re added to the top of the stack.
File Tiles have a fixed square ratio. The parent container size will determine the overall size of each File Tile. Use Grid to organise File Tiles from newest to oldest. The amount of File Tiles per row is flexible depending on the parent container width and the density goals of the design. Have at least two per row at all breakpoints (e.g. XS).
Considerations
List
Use layout="list" for a more condensed list view that stacks vertically. Best suited to scenarios where the files uploaded are not images.
In this scenario, notify the user that files have been uploaded from previous sessions by displaying a heading “Previously uploaded” using the font skin title-subsection.
Use the secondary skin by default. The primary skin may be used if uploading a file is the primary action on the page view. In the example below, the “Next” Button is the primary action, so the File Dropzone uses the secondary skin.
In this scenario, the user is presented with two options for initiating an upload. In cases like this, use a File Input and a Button. The preferred or main action should usually use the primary skin, but consider what other primary actions are elsewhere on the page.
See Single file upload for the preferred method. If using a File Input to upload a single file, add a File Tile with layout=”list” directly below the File Input. Any additional file upload initiated from File Input should replace the existing file.
