2.2.2 Files

Files can be inserted into a page or uploaded directly while editing.

Insert a file

Drag and drop

Upload and insert a new file using drag and drop:

1. Drag the file onto the page. A horizontal line indicates where the file will be inserted.
2. In the Upload file dialog, change the file name if needed.
3. Assign a category if needed.
4. Select Insert.
5. Double-click the thumbnail to adjust its size and position if needed.

alt=Insert file via drag and drop|center|thumb|400x400px|Insert file via drag and drop

Editor toolbar

Upload and insert a file from the editor toolbar:

1. Select Insert (+) menu > Images and Media

   

   Insert Media dialog

2. Select the Upload tab (2) in the Media settings dialog to upload a new file. To select an existing file, select the Advanced search tab (3). The Search tab (1) shows the most recently uploaded files.

   

   Media settings

3. Select Select a file.
4. Select Upload. The Media settings dialog opens.

   

   Upload file dialog

   
   

The general and advanced settings are largely the same as for images. However, the linking options differ. For example, a PDF file cannot be displayed directly as an image on the page.

File linking options

alt=Media settings dialog showing the three file linking options|center|thumb|500x500px|File linking options When a file is inserted, one of the following linking options can be selected:

• Link this file (1): Opens the file directly.
• Link file description page (2): Opens the file description page in the wiki. The file details can be viewed there, and a new version of the file can be uploaded.
• Embed this file (3): Inserts a preview image. Selecting the preview image opens the file description page. This option is available for PDF and TIFF files.
  

General settings: Alternative text is required when a file is embedded on the page. Enter the alternative text in the settings for Embed this file. Because a preview image is created, alternative text should be used in the same way as for images.
When a file or its description page is linked, VisualEditor uses the same link text for both options. The link text can be changed directly on the page.

Note:If a file link is inserted while text is selected, VisualEditor replaces the selected text with the file information. To avoid this, place the cursor at an empty position before inserting the file link.

File upload requirements

Maximum file size

The maximum file size is configured on the server, not directly in the wiki. The server defines the maximum upload size in the php.ini file. The BlueSpice installation can set a lower limit in LocalSettings.php or in another configuration file in the settings.d folder. The default setting is 32 MB. Contact the wiki administrator if an error occurs when uploading a file that exceeds the maximum file size.

File names

Note:When uploading a new file, you should check the file/page name for unusual special characters (e.g., ", %, /,< ,>, [ ,], {, }). Change the name to include only standard characters, since the server file system could have problems with them or since some characters have special meanings in MediaWiki.

The special characters (, ), &, + can be used and are translated into their equivalent %-hex notation.

: will be converted to spaces, unless it is part of an existing namespace prefix.

Allowed file types

If an error occurs during file upload, the file type might not be allowed. An administrator can configure the allowed file types in the Config Manager.

Special features when including files

Dialogue window for embedding files

There are three ways to link a file on a page:

• Link this file (1): The inserted link opens the file.
• Link file description page (2): The link leads to the file page on the wiki. There, you can view the file details or upload a new version of the file.
• Embed this file (3): The link inserts a preview image. The preview image opens the file description page when clicked. This only works with PDF and .tiff files.

General Settings: An alternative text is required if you embed the file on the page. This is done via the corresponding "Embed this file" button. Since a preview image is created here, the alternative text should be used just like with images.

If you link to the file or the file description page, VisualEditor will in both cases inserts the same link text, even though the link will lead to different pages. However, the displayed link text can be changed directly on the page. Just click into the text and change it accordingly.

Note:If you place a file link directly on already selected text, VisualEditor will replace the selected text with the file information. It is therefore advisable to insert a file link via VisualEditor when the cursor is located at a blank space.

Maximum file size

The maximum allowed file size cannot be configured in the wiki itself. The maximum allowed limit is defined on the server in the php.ini file in the PHP installation. The actual (possibly smaller) limit, however, is set in the BlueSpice installation in LocalSettings.php or another configuration file in the settings.d folder. The default setting is 32 MB.

Contact your wiki administrator if you receive an error message when trying to upload a larger file.

Avoiding unusual file names

Note:When uploading a new file, you should check the file/page name for unusual special characters (e.g., ", %, /,< ,>, [ ,], {, }). Change the name to include only standard characters, since the server file system could have problems with them or since some characters have special meanings in MediaWiki.

The special characters (, ), &, + can be used and are translated into their equivalent %-hex notation.

: will be converted to spaces, unless it is part of an existing namespace prefix.

Allowed file types

If you get an error message during the file upload, the file type might not be allowed. Allowed file types are set by an admin user in the Config Manager.