GoCanvas allows you to upload a variety of file formats for Photo fields, Video fields, and mobile Attachments.

Supported File Formats

Below are not only supported formats but preferred formats that GoCanvas recommends, along with some helpful tips to ensure your uploads are successful.

Photo fields

Reference Data Images (for Drawing fields or Static Images) can only be JPEG or PNG file types.

Supported image formats for submissions:

• JPEG: Common format for photos with compressed file sizes, making it ideal for general use.
• PNG: A widely used format that supports lossless compression, meaning the image quality is preserved while reducing the file size.
• HEIC: This is a file type with which we have had compatibility issues before. Contact Support if you have any issues.

Video fields

These fields allow video to be captured directly in the GoCanvas app. However, there is currently no way to upload a previously filmed video from a mobile phone gallery, so GoCanvas will render the file as needed automatically. By contract, users can only upload an existing file to Video fields in the Web Client.

Videos can be downloaded from the submission on the website in MP4 format. To learn more about Video fields, see, "Add Video Capture to a Form in the Builder."

Attachment fields

GoCanvas allows various document file types to be attached to your forms. Below, you can find a common list; however, if you have any other questions, see, "Adding a Mobile Attachment Field to a Form."

Supported document types for submissions

• DOC: Microsoft Word document format (older version)
• DOCX: Newer Word document format, more efficient and compressed
• PDF: A universal format that preserves the layout across all devices
• XLS: Excel spreadsheet format for data and calculations (older version)
• XLSX: Newer Excel format, more efficient and compressed
• CSV: Comma-Separated Values, a simple text format used for storing table-like data. Each line represents a row, and each value within a row is separated by a comma.

Unsecured Access setting for Image, Video, and Attachment fields

GoCanvas offers the Unsecured Access setting in the Advanced Form Builder, which allows images, videos, and document attachments to be viewed by anyone, even if they do not have a GoCanvas account.

Uploading Google Sheets or CSV for Reference Data

• CSV: A straightforward text format used to store tabular data, making it easy to integrate into your forms. To learn more about uploading a CSV file as Reference Data, see, "Uploading Reference Data when using the Advanced Form Builder."

• Google Sheets: You can upload a Google Sheet as Reference Data, allowing seamless integration of your data into GoCanvas forms. To learn more about uploading a Google Sheet as Reference Data, see, "Upload a Google Sheet as Reference Data."

For more details, see, "What is the Unsecured Access setting in the Builder?"

Tips for uploading any file type

1. File Format: Always check the file format before uploading to ensure it is compatible with GoCanvas.
   • If you're unsure about a file format or have trouble uploading, consider converting your files to MP4 (for videos) or JPEG/PNG (for images).
2. File Size and Amount per Submission: Avoid adding too many Photo, Video, and Attachment fields to your form and large file sizes as this may cause longer syncing and upload times.
   • Regardless of the number or size of files in the submission, be sure to keep the GoCanvas application open during syncing to prevent submission issues.
3. JPEG Quality: While JPEG helps reduce file size, it does so by discarding some image data, which can lead to lower quality, especially at higher compression levels (resulting in blurry or pixelated images).

By using the supported formats listed above, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient experience when uploading files to GoCanvas forms.