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How to replace uploaded files?

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How do I replace uploaded PDF files? The Link Editor dialog is showing only 20 files. So how do I replace old files with new ones while still maintaining the same URL? In older squarespace versions, I was able to find the file, delete it, and then upload a new file with the same filename. This way, the URL didn't change and all links across my website to that file were maintained. Now, I have no way of doing this without changing every single link to the new URL of the newly uploaded file.

And Searching for a filename doesn't work either. The search only returns results from the 20 listed files.

Please help! 

Edited by Nicole_C
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There IS a solution!

FIRST, TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEM ...

When you upload a file it is stored in a certain "location" which has its own "static URL" (or unique address).

So, for example, if you upload a PDF (e.g. 'my test PDF.pdf') as a "linked file" it would have an address or URL something like this (notice spaces in the name of the file are replaced by '+' s) ... 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/559fb5d6e4b0b8eb00f70a64/t/62cffc8d5c22873463703f6f/1657797774503/my+test+PDF.pdf

When people click on the link and the file opens (usually in a new Tab) this is the address/URL people see in their address bar.

But when you remove this file and then upload a file with the same name, it will have a slightly different address or URL ...

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/559fb5d6e4b0b8eb00f70a64/t/62cff2097cc7fc7cb944a60b/1657795082728/my+test+PDF.pdf

So if you give people the first address as a link (e.g. in an email or on social media or elsewhere), but then replace the pdf with a new version, the old link no longer works (as it points to the old version that is no longer there).

 

THE SOLUTION

Squarespace uses "shortcuts" to point to uploaded files. So the shortcut to the above file would be ...

https://yourwebsite.com/s/my-test-PDF.pdf

(Notice that the spaces in the file name are replaced here with '-' s)

You can use this link and give it out. Then, when you delete the original pdf and upload a new version, with exactly the same name, the same link will still work.

Where to get the shortcut link?

How to replace the file

  • Delete the original file
  • Upload a new version, with exactly the same name

 

WARNING

Do NOT upload two files with the same name - they will show in the list as the same, but the second will have some random extra characters added to distinguish it and the link will be something like this

https://yourwebsite.com/s/my-test-PDF-sqk.pdf

 

Hope that helps someone

Link to a file.jpg

 

Edited by ITsorted-Massimo
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8 minutes ago, theoB86 said:

Hello that doesn't work

If you'd like some help, please be a little more specific by including some more information. For more detail, please see How to Post a Forum Question.

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