In this article, we will explore why the file upload is disabled in Google Forms. We will also show you how to fix the issue of why file upload is greyed out in Google Forms. Simply follow the process below.
The file upload feature being disabled is a common issue if your form is located within a shared drive. Follow the process below to enable file upload functionality.
When using Google Forms, you might encounter a situation where the file upload option is disabled. This can be confusing when you plan to collect files through your form. The primary reason for this feature being unavailable is related to the location of the form within Google Drive.
Google Forms does not support the file upload option for forms that are stored within a shared drive. This limitation is due to the differences in file ownership and permissions between individual My Drive accounts and shared drives. When a form with a file upload field is moved to a shared drive, this feature is automatically disabled.
Here’s how to enable file upload in Google Forms if you are using shared drives:
Search within your shared drive for the Google Form you wish to update. You can easily find your form by using the search bar if you have numerous files.
Right-click on the identified Google Form and select "Move to" from the options that appear.
Then, in the panel, navigate to your personal "My Drive" and select it to move your form out of the shared drive.
After moving the form, go to "My Drive" and locate the form. Double-click on it to open the form editor where you will be able to add questions and change settings.
In the form editor view, click on the "+" button to add a new question.
From the question type dropdown that appears next to the new question, select "File upload." This will insert a question that allows file uploads into your form.
Just below the file upload question, you'll see an option for "Allow only specific file types." Tick this box if you wish to restrict uploads to particular file types. A list will expand, giving you the option to check the types of files you are willing to accept, such as PDF, DOCX, or JPG.
Further down from where you select the file types, you will find an option to set the maximum file size that respondents can upload. Click on this setting and choose an appropriate file size limit that suits the needs of your form, be it 1 MB for small text documents or up to 10 GB for larger files.
In the main field above the file upload settings, write a prompt for the respondents. Be clear and direct; for instance, "Upload your raffle entry here" specifically instructs users on the action required and the purpose of the file upload.
Google Forms saves your changes as you make them. However, always ensure that all settings appear as you have set them before you move on to sharing the form.
Now that your form is ready to collect uploads, click the "Send" button at the top right of the screen. You can then choose to send your form directly via email, copy a link to it, or even embed it into a website depending on your preference.
Before you share your form with a broader audience, do a quick test upload to verify that the file upload question works as expected. Try uploading a file you have allowed and confirm that the upload succeeds without any issues.
Keep in mind that the form must remain in "My Drive" for the file upload feature to stay active. Moving it back to a shared drive will deactivate this feature.
We hope that you now have a better understanding of why file upload is disabled in Google Forms and how to fix the issue. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on how to import questions into Google Forms or our article on the cost of Google Forms. If you want to know how to send email notifications for multiple emails in Google Forms, we also suggest checking out our detailed guide.
