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Managers can create and configure file types directly from account settings, controlling how uploaded files are stored, displayed, and attached to objects. This lets you adapt your file categories as your workflows change, without waiting on a separate request.
Prerequisites: Managing file types is a Manager-level task. Other roles can select and view file types when uploading, but only Managers can add, edit, or delete them.

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Where to find file types

Go to Settings, open the Account section, and select File types. You’ll see every file type in your account listed in ascending order, with columns for:

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Create a file type

1

Open file type settings

Go to Settings > Account > File types and select Add.
2

Choose where it can be attached

Use Where can this file type be attached? to pick whether files attach to properties, other object types, or both. This controls where the file type appears as an upload option.
3

Name the file type

Enter a clear Name. This is what people see in upload menus, filters, and the Files table.
Use specific names like “Building Permit” rather than “Permit” — they’re clearer at upload time and make filtering and reporting more useful.
4

Set a color and order

Pick a Color for the swatch shown in lists and on the map. For map legibility, prefer the GIS-approved colors at the bottom of the color picker.Set the Order to control where the file type appears in the list. Types are listed in ascending order, so a lower number appears higher.
5

Choose allowed file formats

Under Allowed file types, select every format this type should accept. Options are PDF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, MP4, and MOV. Pick at least one.Forerunner enforces these formats at upload time — someone can’t upload a JPG to a file type that only accepts PDF.
6

Set visibility and display options

Configure how files of this type behave:
  • Sensitive — Marks files as containing PII. Sensitive files are automatically hidden from the public portal and can’t be made public.
  • Hidden from public by default — New uploads of this type start hidden from the public portal. You can still share individual files later.
  • Show in object panel image carousel — Surfaces image uploads in the property carousel on the object panel. Available only when every allowed format is an image.
7

Add the file type

Select Add to save. The new file type is immediately available as an upload option wherever it can attach.
Your file type appears in the list and in upload menus right away. People uploading files can now select it.

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Edit or reorder a file type

To change an existing file type, select the Edit action next to it. You can update any field — name, color, allowed formats, attachment targets, and visibility settings. To reorder the list, edit a file type and change its Order value. Because the list is sorted in ascending order, lowering a type’s number moves it higher.
Changing Allowed file types only affects future uploads — files already uploaded under this type are not removed if you drop their format. Marking a type as Sensitive also hides existing files of that type from the public portal.

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Delete a file type

Select the Delete action next to a file type to remove it. Deletion is blocked when the file type is still in use — for example, when files are still attached to it or a record field still requires it. When that happens, Forerunner explains why the type can’t be deleted so you can reassign or remove those files first.

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Field reference

Elevation Certificates rely on a Parent Document Type link so uploads trigger automatic data extraction. See Reviewing Elevation Certificates for how that processing works.

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Troubleshooting

When a file type is marked Sensitive, it’s always hidden from the public portal, so the visibility toggle is locked on. Turn off Sensitive first if the type shouldn’t be hidden.
The file type is still in use — files are attached to it, or a record field still requires it. Reassign or delete those files first, then delete the type. The message on the delete action explains what’s still using it.
Confirm the format is selected under Allowed file types for that file type, and that the person is uploading to the right type. Format changes apply to new uploads going forward.