Files
Think of the Files section as your store’s central media library—a single, organized place for all your digital assets. Here, you can upload, manage, and reuse everything from product images and promotional videos to size-chart PDFs and brand logos.
Why Use the Files Section?
- Save Time: Upload a file once and reuse it anywhere in your store—like in Products, Pages, or Blogs—without repeated uploads.
- Stay Organized: Keep all your brand assets in one central hub so you can find what you need instantly.
- Plan Ahead: Upload files in advance and have them ready whenever you create new products, pages, or content.
Upload your brand assets here first to make your store setup faster and more organized.
Location: Content → Files
Files Overview
When you navigate to Content → Files, you'll see the Files dashboard. This screen provides a visual grid of all your uploaded files, with tools to help you quickly find and manage them.
Images and videos appear as thumbnails, while documents, PDFs, and audio files are represented by icons.
Understanding the Files Screen
The Files dashboard is designed for speed and clarity. Each tool helps you manage your media library efficiently:
| Dashboard Tool | Purpose & Description |
|---|---|
| Search Bar | Quickly locate any file by typing its name. The grid updates in real-time. |
| Add Filter | Narrow your view by type—choose Audio, Video, Image, or File—to see only what you need. Click to start. |
| Sort Control | Arrange your files by ID, Name, Type, Mimetype or Created Date in ascending or descending order. Click the Sort button to change the order. |
| Upload Button | To add new files to your media library, click the Upload button located in the top-right corner of the screen. |
| Delete Icon | Select one or more files and click the trash icon located in the top-right corner of the screen to permanently remove them. |
| Storage Indicator | Shows your current data usage versus your plan's total capacity. |
Use filters and sort to quickly locate assets when updating products or pages.
Supported File Formats
You can upload a wide range of common file formats. For easier filtering, the system automatically sorts them into the following categories:
| File Type | Supported Formats |
|---|---|
| Image | .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .svg |
| Video | .mp4 |
| Audio | .mp3 |
| Document | .pdf, .txt, .pptx, .xlsx |
Files you upload here are saved to your central library—they won't appear on your store automatically. To use a file, you must select it from an editor within a product, page, or blog post.
How to Upload Files
You can add files to your library whenever it's convenient—either in advance while preparing content or right when you need them.
The primary way to upload is by following these steps:
- Navigate to Content → Files.
- Click the Upload button located in the top-right corner.
- Your computer's file browser will open. Select the file (or files) you wish to upload.
- Click Open. Your files will immediately appear in the Files grid, ready for use.
You can also drag files directly from a folder on your computer and drop them anywhere onto the Files grid to begin uploading instantly.
Both upload methods support multiple files at once. To save time, select multiple files at once (e.g., by holding Shift or Ctrl/Cmd) to upload them all in a single batch.
Finding and Organizing Files
When you have hundreds of files, finding the right one is key. Use these tools to quickly locate any asset in your library.
- Search: Find any file by its name using the search bar at the top. The grid updates in real-time as you type.
- Filter: Click to see only specific file types, like Image or Video, so you can focus on what you need.
- Sort: Change the order of your files using the dropdown menu
.
You can arrange them by Filename or Created (upload date) in either:
- Ascending (A-Z, oldest first) order.
- Descending (Z-A, newest first) order.
For the most powerful search, use these tools together. For example, first filter to show only Images, then sort by Created to instantly find the newest photos you've uploaded.
Using Files Across Your Store
The biggest benefit of the Files library is reusability. Once you upload a file, you can use it anywhere in your store without needing to upload it again.
Common places to use your files include:
- Products: For product images, videos, or 3D models.
- Blogs & Articles: As featured images or media embedded in your content.
- Pages: To add banner images or link to downloadable guides.
- Metafields & Metaobjects: To attach specific images or documents as custom data.
Whenever you see an option to add a file (like a product image), you will have two choices:
- Upload a new file directly from your device.
- Select an existing file from your central Files library.
Deleting Files
You can easily remove files you no longer need to free up storage and keep your library tidy.
- Navigate to Content → Files.
- Click to select one or more files. A checkmark will appear on each selection.
- Click the trash icon that appears in the toolbar.
- A confirmation message will appear. Review it carefully and confirm the deletion.
Deleting a file removes it from your library forever. If that file is being used on a product, page, or anywhere else on your live store, the link will break and the asset will no longer appear.
Managing Your Storage
At the bottom of the Files page, a progress bar shows a summary of your storage usage. This helps you monitor your capacity and plan ahead.
The bar shows you:
- Used Storage: How much space your current files are taking up.
- Total Storage: The maximum space available based on your current plan.
If you're running low on space, you can either delete old, unused files to free up capacity or upgrade your plan to increase your total storage.
Best Practices
To get the most out of your Files library, follow these expert tips for a faster and more organized store.
- Optimize Before You Upload: Large files can slow down your site. Before uploading, use tools to compress your images and videos without sacrificing quality. This is the #1 way to ensure fast page loading times for your customers.
- Use Descriptive Filenames: Name files logically, like
blue-t-shirt-front-view.jpginstead ofIMG_1234.jpg. This makes finding assets with the search bar instant and effortless. - Avoid Duplicates: Before adding a new file, do a quick search to see if it already exists. Reusing files saves storage space and reduces clutter.
- Keep It Tidy: Periodically review your files. A good practice is to sort by Created date to find your oldest assets and delete any you no longer use on your store.