Uploading or Overwriting PDF Files and Images

Please see the notes regarding filenaming if you have not already done so.

  1. After you login to the CMS, click the gray house icon near the top of the page.
    Step 1

  2. Scroll down until you see uploadedFiles (for uploading/overwriting pdfs) or uploadedImages (for uploading/overwriting images) and click on the appropriate folder.  You can also type uploadedFiles or uploadedImages into the filter box on the right side of the screen.
    Step 2

  3. Then scroll down and click on your folder name.
  4. Click the white/blue "Upload" button.
  5. Now you will upload your pdf file(s) or image(s). If you are overwriting/updating a pdf file or image, make sure and name the file on your computer exactly the same name as the one in the CMS that you are trying to overwrite and click the “Overwrite Existing” check box.  If this is a new pdf file or image, you do not need to select the "Overwrite Existing" checkbox.

    * NOTE: Please remember to generically name your images and pdf files whenever possible.  This will avoid the perception of outdated pdf files and/or images when a user accesses them on your site. As you overwrite your pdf files and/or images going forward, you will never have to worry about updating links in your Web pages, menus, or "Related Links" since the files will remain linked to the same filename.

  6. Click the blue +Add button and find your file.
  7. Click the blue “Start Upload” button.

Publish the pdf file(s) or image(s) you’ve uploaded:

  1. Select each pdf that you've newly uploaded by selecting the checkbox on the left of each pdf or image filename (each one you select will highlight gray).
  2. Click the Publish button at the top of the file list.

Troubleshooting

    Here are some common error messages web authors see when trying to upload PDFs or Images and how to correct them:

    • Invalid Filename: Your filename contains spaces or special characters that aren't allowed. Click the three dots and then "Rename" to rename the file. We recommend using all lowercase letters with dashes instead of spaces.
    • Blocked Extension: There are two potential causes for this error.
      1. You are trying to upload a file in the wrong format. Allowed file formats are limited to:
        • uploadedFiles: PDF
        • uploadedImages: JPG, PNG, JPEG, GIF
        Other formats including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and video or audio files cannot be uploaded to the CMS. These files either need to be converted or hosted elsewhere.
      2. You are trying to upload a file in a folder where it is not allowed. You need to make sure that you are in uploadedFiles > {Your Folder Name} for PDFs or uploadedImages > {Your Folder Name} for Images. Scroll down for help with finding the correct folder.
    • File Size too Large: You are trying to upload a file in a folder where it is not allowed. You need to make sure that you are in uploadedFiles > {Your Folder Name} for PDFs or uploadedImages > {Your Folder Name} for Images. Scroll down for help with finding the correct folder.

     

    Tips for Finding the Correct Folder

    Note: Searching for a folder and hitting Enter will not open that folder. You need to click on the folder name to open it. You can look at the breadcrumb path beside the house icon to see where you currently are. 

    Correct Example

    This breadcrumb is correct for someone uploading a PDF into the training folder.

    a screenshot of a breadcrumb path showing uploadedFiles and the training folderIncorrect Examples

    This breadcrumb shows someone who has opened uploadedFiles, but has not yet opened their department's folder. This user will see an error message if they try to upload a PDF or image here. To correct this, the user should search for and then open their department folder.

    a screenshot of the breadcrumb path only inside uploadedFiles

    This breadcrumb shows someone who is inside their webpage only folder. This user will see an error message if they try to upload a PDF or image here. To correct this, the user should click the house icon and then search for and open uploadedFiles (for PDFs) or uploadedImages (for images).

    a screenshot of the breadcrumb inside of the training folder

    If you have followed the steps above but you still see the old image or PDF, there are a few things you can check:

    1. Did your new file have EXACTLY the same name as the old file (e.g. same uppercase/lowercase letters, dashes, file extension like .jpg or .png, etc.)? If anything is different between the two file names, then the new file will not overwrite the old one.
    2. Did you publish the new file after uploading it? Uploading the new file only overwrites it in the CMS staging site. You must publish the file for it to appear on the published website.
    3. Have you cleared your browser cache? If you have recently viewed the old file, your browser may have stored it in the cache. When you have the file or the page with the image on it open, you can hold Ctrl + F5 (Cmd + Shift + R on a Mac; Ctrl + fn + F5 on some laptops) to try a hard refresh and see if that shows you the new file. If not, you may need to fully clear your browser cache. You can find instructions for doing so with different browsers below: