Forum Discussion
Need the ability for external users to upload files into MS Forms
Rob_Pidgley it is not possible at all currently for external responders to upload a file. Microsoft have said they will consider it but there s nothing on the roadmap yet.
Rob
Los Gallardos
Intranet, SharePoint and Power Platform Manager (and classic 1967 Morris Traveller driver)
- AlexUnipaOct 12, 2022Brass Contributor
RobElliott Why does MS take so long time to enable something ready that takes 1 second to turn it on? Many people asking for that for 2 years at least, so it doesn't make any sense to reply that they haven't done to security concerns, because is sufficient to activate the feature "request file" in one drive and even external people can upload files in the tenant. Please activate it!
- RobElliottOct 19, 2022Silver Contributor
AlexUnipa if you know it only takes 1 second to turn it on you must work for Microsoft and will therefore know the code and what what the technical or other reasons are. I don't work for them, I just repeated the answer they gave a while back to this question where security concerns were given as the reason it isn't yet available.
Rob
Los Gallardos
Intranet, SharePoint and Power Platform Manager (and classic 1967 Morris Traveller driver)- AlexUnipaOct 21, 2022Brass Contributor
RobElliott , I don't need to work for Microsoft :), I just need like anyone to be able to use a feature that, as I explained first, can be bypassed by activating "request as file" into onedriver business and any people, even external, will be able to upload any file. It's clear enough that their security concern cannot be the real reason to take almost two years to implement it. That's my 2 cents.
- IshamuddinSep 08, 2022Copper ContributorHope Microsoft add this feature. It is much useful using it.
- MaxisSep 19, 2022Brass Contributor
exactly we need this features.....
- DanielleLewisFeb 16, 2023Copper Contributor
Wow, I find it unbelievable that this is not an option and unfortunately I didn't figure this out until I completed a large survey. Not to mention that if Forms was more functional we could sunset our use of Alchemer as a survey tool. Also, as Forms integrates with SharePoint it would be most beneficial to have full functionality to upload required documents
- AlexUnipaFeb 17, 2023Brass Contributor
DanielleLewis the best option is to change the product since this feature has been required for 2 or more years at least....just a waste of breath
- DanielleLewisFeb 17, 2023Copper ContributorWell I am with state government and they are pretty much all in with O365 -
- MedeiroZZJun 16, 2023Copper Contributor
RobElliott Where the information or article about this?
- RobElliottJun 16, 2023Silver Contributor
MedeiroZZ what article are you trying to find?
- RajivSinghOct 24, 2023Copper Contributor
RobElliott pls can you suggest what alternative I can implement so that external gird can upload files and those files can be dropped in one target teams folder or Sharepoint/ OneDrive location?
- bvarianOct 24, 2023Brass Contributor
RajivSingh - My organization currently uses Formstack for external-facing forms that require a file upload question. JotForm is another good product, I believe.
You might also want to familiarize yourself with how the files are stored in a 3rd party service; I believe my organization chose Formstack because it met our regulatory/privacy requirements well.
As for the file-handling, both of these products have Power Automate connectors that would allow you to build a flow based on a form being completed and then manipulate the file (rename it, save it to SharePoint Online/OneDrive, etc., but be aware they're both premium connectors so your licensing might be a consideration.
We're hoping that Microsoft figures this out and offers this feature soon in either Forms, Dynamics CustomerVoice or both. Forms in particular lacks much of the enterprise administration/management and data governance that it needs to truly be an "enterprise" product, so even though Microsoft bundles it in with their enterprise licensing, it still seems to have one foot squarely in the "consumer" realm and that's unfortunate.
Hope that helps.
- RajivSinghOct 24, 2023Copper Contributor
bvarian Thanks but i was looking for a workaround solution within MS product. I know there are many external solutions but I do not want to go externally as data I am collective very sensitive and whenever I connect external app solution, will have to give another blind access to software signup whether Jotform or Typeform, or Formstack.
After reading many other forums, I have found my solution. Here is what I have done. Example screenshot below:
- Created another "Teams" - named - Guest Portal. Activated Sharepoint site access "anyone with the link.
- Created two folders within the new 'teams' site. (a) Terms & Policy (b) File upload
- Created external link for folder 2.(a) with anyone's access and block download. In this folder organisation's latest engagement terms for read-only purposes are stored for external clients.
- Created external link for folder 2.(b) with anyone's access with edit access. In this folder - saved user guide instructions on what and how to upload.
- On my website - added two permanent short URL redirect links to steps 3 mywebsite.com/legal and 4 mywebsite.com/kycupload.
- Separately added power automate flow trigger whenever any files are uploaded in "KYCUPLOD" folder site move this to closed team site that will have only private team access. So guest user will not see files after uploaded.
- In the form added two acceptance checkboxes with Text - I have read the terms in link given in step 3 and uploaded my KYC document in step 4. I understand that after my upload documents will move immediately to a secure folder, hence not visible. In case wanted to reupload, the old file will be overwritten.
- I have tested the solution works perfectly for my requirement as I dont have much traffic. In a day probably 2-3 signup forms of external users at different times.
please let me know if you have any better workaround within MsForm solution, then probably I can try that. Or else I will continue with above solution step.