Paperform generates secure, private URLs for files uploaded through file upload, image upload, and signature fields, as well as Custom PDFs generated by your form. These URLs are signed and remain valid for seven days from the time they are created.
How long do Paperform file URLs remain accessible?
For the first 7 days: Anyone with the file URL can open and download the file.
After 7 days: The URL becomes restricted. Only logged-in members of your Paperform team who have permission to access the file can open or download it.
See enabling public file access to keep them accessible at all times.
How can I share uploaded files after 7 days?
To provide long-term access to uploaded files or Custom PDFs while keeping your Paperform URLs secure, we recommend sending the files to your own storage platform, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or another cloud storage service. This allows you to manage sharing permissions, control who can access the files, and keep them available beyond Paperform's 7-day signed URL period.
How can I provide ongoing access to uploaded files and Custom PDFs?
There are a few ways to make uploaded files available outside Paperform after the 7-day signed URL period. You can:
- enable public file access for your Paperform team
- send files to Dropbox using Paperform’s native Dropbox integration
- send files to Google Drive using Stepper
- use a third-party automation tool like Zapier or Make
Which file sharing option should I use?
The best option depends on how you want to store, share, and manage access to your files.
1. Enable public file access in Paperform
If your team needs Paperform file URLs to remain accessible to anyone with the link, the team owner can enable Public File Access from your account settings. Learn how to manage public file access in Paperform.
2. Send uploaded files to Dropbox
You can automatically send uploaded files to Dropbox using Paperform’s native Dropbox integration. This is a good option for simple workflows, especially if your form collects one or two uploaded files and you want to store them in a Dropbox folder for long-term access. Once the files are in Dropbox, you can manage sharing and viewing permissions from your Dropbox account. Learn how to integrate Paperform with Dropbox.
3. Use Stepper to send uploaded files to cloud storage
You can use a Stepper workflow to send uploaded files to Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud storage platform of your choice. Stepper is Paperform’s AI-native workflows platform. It's a standalone product that works seamlessly with Paperform and makes it easy to take control of what happens after a form is submitted. For example, you can send uploaded files to Google Drive, organize them into the right folders, and connect them to other workflow steps. You can get started with Stepper, or view the available Stepper triggers and actions between Paperform and Google Drive.
4. Use Zapier or Make to send files to cloud storage
You can also use third-party automation tools like Zapier or Make to send uploaded files to storage services.
Gotchas
- Files must be fetched or copied within 7 days of the signed URL being generated. After that, accessing the URL requires a logged-in Paperform session with access to the file, unless public file access has been enabled.
- Once the signed URL expires, you may need to log in, manually download the file from your Paperform dashboard, and move it to your storage system.
- If your workflow needs a public URL, such as embedding an image in a Google Doc, you’ll need to either enable public file access or move the file to a service like Google Drive and generate a public share link there.