# Share and upload files

Zulip supports attaching multiple files to messages, including images,
documents, sound, and video. You can edit the names of the files others see
after you [upload](#uploading-files) or
[share](#sharing-files-from-other-mobile-apps) them.

For images and videos, a small preview will be shown directly in the message, if
there are up to 24 attachments. People reading the message can click on the
preview to [view the full-size image or video](/help/view-images-and-videos).

## Uploading files

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-drag-and-drop}

1. Drag and drop one or more files anywhere in the Zulip app,
   whether or not the compose box is open.
   Zulip will upload the files, and insert named links using
   [Markdown formatting](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown#links):
   `[Link text](URL)`.

{!modify-link-text.md!}

!!! tip ""

    You can [preview the message](/help/preview-your-message-before-sending)
    before sending to see what your uploaded files will look like.

{tab|via-paste}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Copy and paste one or more files into the compose box.
   Zulip will upload the files, and insert named links using
   [Markdown formatting](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown#links):
   `[Link text](URL)`.

{!modify-link-text.md!}

!!! tip ""

    You can [preview the message](/help/preview-your-message-before-sending)
    before sending to see what your uploaded files will look like.

{tab|via-compose-box-buttons}

{!start-composing.md!}

1. Click the **paperclip** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-attachment"></i>)
   icon at the bottom of the compose box to select one or more files.
   Zulip will upload the files, and insert named links using
   [Markdown formatting](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown#links):
   `[Link text](URL)`.

{!modify-link-text.md!}

!!! tip ""

    You can [preview the message](/help/preview-your-message-before-sending)
    before sending to see what your uploaded files will look like.

{tab|mobile}

1. Navigate to a channel, topic, or direct message view.

1. Tap the
   **paperclip** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-attachment mobile-help"></i>),
   **image** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-mobile-image mobile-help"></i>),
   or **camera** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-mobile-camera mobile-help"></i>)
   button at the bottom of the app to select one or more files. Zulip will
   upload the files, and insert named links using
   [Markdown formatting](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown#links):
   `[Link text](URL)`.

{!modify-link-text.md!}

{end_tabs}

## Sharing files from other mobile apps

{start_tabs}

{tab|android}

1. In another mobile app, select text or one or more files, and tap the
   **share** button.

1. Tap the **Zulip** (<img src="/static/images/logo/zulip-icon-circle.svg"
   alt="logo" class="help-center-icon"/>) logo to share to Zulip.

1. To send a channel message, select a channel and type a topic name.
   To send a direct message, tap the **Direct message** tab, and choose
   an existing direct message conversation or tap the **New DM** button
   at the bottom of the screen and select message recipients.

1. _(optional)_ Write a message.

1. Tap the **Send** button.

{tab|ios}

Implementation of this feature for the IOS version of the mobile app is
tracked [on GitHub](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-flutter/issues/54).
If you're interested in this feature, please react to the issue's
description with 👍.

{end_tabs}

## Convert pasted to text to a file

When pasting a large amount of text, you can convert it to a text file upload.

{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

1. Paste a large amount of text into the compose box (2,000+ characters).

1. In the banner above the compose box, click **Yes, convert** to convert the
   pasted text to a file.

{end_tabs}

## Named file example

### What you type

```
[A whale of a good time](https://your.zulip.domain/user_uploads/1/46/IPvysqXEtiTG1ZdNBrwAZODi/whale-time.png)
```

### What it looks like

![Markdown image](/static/images/help/markdown-image.png)

## File upload limits

The Zulip Cloud Standard and Zulip Cloud Plus
[plans](https://zulip.com/plans/#cloud) include 5 GB of file storage per user.
Each uploaded file can be up to 1 GB.

The Zulip Cloud Free [plan](https://zulip.com/plans/#cloud) includes a total of
5 GB of file storage. Each uploaded file can be up to 10 MB.

In organizations on a self-hosted server, server administrators can configure
the maximum size for uploaded files via the `MAX_FILE_UPLOAD_SIZE`
[server setting][system-settings]. Setting it to 0 disables file uploads, and
hides the UI for uploading files from the web and desktop apps.

[system-settings]: https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/stable/production/settings.html

## Related articles

* [Manage your uploaded files](/help/manage-your-uploaded-files)
* [View images and videos](/help/view-images-and-videos)
* [Image, video and website previews](/help/image-video-and-website-previews)
* [Animated GIFs](/help/animated-gifs-from-giphy)