How to Request Files from a Contributor with File Request

The File Request feature makes it possible to request content from those who don't have (and don't need) a Ci account.  The feature provides a simple yet intuitive user interface, two upload mechanisms (Standard and Aspera) and also makes Workspace content inaccessible for a requestee. 

To create a File Request, the user has to click on the "Add New" menu option, then click "New File Request": 

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Figure 1: Creating a File Request

The user will be presented with a File Request settings modal:

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Figure 2: File Request settings modal

Customize tab.

As seen in Figure 2, there are multiple settings that can be applied to a File Request.

The user can specify a folder where the files should be contributed to (files also can be uploaded directly to the Workspace's root folder):

It is possible to set up a File Request lifespan. Select from preset values or customize date and time when the File Request should be deactivated (the user can change those values at any point later, even after File Request has expired):

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Figure 3: Specify File Request expiration

Opt-in Notify others as File Request uploads are completed checkbox and insert an email address(es) to let people know the contribution was successful. Once the upload completes, Ci will send email notifications to each address in the list.

Advanced Settings

Opt-in Require Contributor's email if there is a need to know who contributed files.

Highlight Aspera upload selecting this option will highlight the Aspera upload option to encourage users to upload via Aspera

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Figure 4: This is how File Request recipients see File Request with Aspera upload highlighted

Allow folder uploads — allow or disallow folder upload.

Max file upload count — set the total number of files allowed. This option is only available if folder uploads are not allowed.

File types allowed — the user can set the types of files allowed. This option is only available if folder uploads are not allowed.

Request Metadata tab

Request Metadata allows the File Request creator to request additional metadata along with contributing files. Contributed metadata will shortly be indexed and become searchable.  Requesting metadata only works for files or batch of files being uploaded.  It does not apply to folder uploads with Aspera due to the considerable number of folders and files that could be in a selected folder and the accuracy to which metadata would be applied.

The user can specify a Custom contributor form and add as many fields as needed, specify metadata keys, set fields required or optional and even prefill some (or all) of them.

The user can select fields from a metadata model template if there is one configured for the Company Network that the workspace where the file request is being created.

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Figure 5: Custom Contributor Form

 

Once done with setting up your File Request, the user has to click "Create File Request" button and either email File Request link to recipients via Ci or copy it and use at his/her own discretion.

By default, Send File Request page displays a Link for File Request recipients:

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Figure 6: File Request link

Send File Request also display File Request code by clicking "Show File Request code":


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Figure 7: File Request code


Here's how the Contribute page will look like for File Request recipients:
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Figure 6: File Request example as seen by a contributor 

For further details on uploading content to Ci, please see the article Uploading to Ci: Best Practices.

 

For any additional questions, please reach out to the Ci Customer Success Team by submitting a request here in the Help Center. 

 

Have more questions? Submit a request