> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://withforerunner.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Overview
> Organize, manage, and share documents with centralized file management
Files in Forerunner provide centralized document management for your community data. Whether you're managing Elevation Certificates, building plans, inspection photos, or correspondence, Files help you keep documents organized, searchable, and connected to your workflows.
Learn about document types and how to configure them for your needs
Upload documents individually or in bulk from web or mobile
Create letters and documents from templates using property data
Automate EC processing with AI-powered data extraction
Learn how Forerunner preserves accessibility tags in uploaded PDFs
Export file metadata and documents using the Files table
## What are files?
A file is any document, image, or upload you add to Forerunner. Each file has these characteristics:
| Characteristic | Description |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Categorized by document type** | Group files into categories like Elevation Certificates, permits, photos, or plans |
| **Connected to objects** | Link files to properties or other object types for context |
| **Searchable** | Find files quickly using filters, date ranges, and property attributes |
| **Secure** | Control visibility with permissions and public sharing settings |
| **Processed intelligently** | Elevation Certificates are automatically read and data extracted |
## Common workflows
Use files to streamline document-intensive processes:
* **Elevation Certificate management** - Upload ECs and let Forerunner automatically extract building information, flood zone data, and elevation details for CRS documentation
* **Permit tracking** - Attach building permits to properties and track them alongside inspection records
* **Photo documentation** - Capture and organize site photos from inspections, damage assessments, or progress tracking
* **Document generation** - Create pre-filled letters and notices from templates using property and record data, and send them as physical mail
* **Public transparency** - Share Elevation Certificates, flood zone letters, and other documents with residents through your public website
* **Document requests** - Respond to information requests by sharing files directly via email with secure guest access
## Key features
### Centralized storage
All your documents live in one place, organized by property and document type. No more searching through email attachments or shared drives.
### Intelligent processing
Elevation Certificates are automatically processed using AI-powered data extraction. Forerunner reads the PDF, extracts key information, and links it to the correct property - saving hours of manual data entry.
### Flexible organization
**File types** let you categorize files your way. Managers can configure file types in account settings to match your workflows, such as:
* Building permits
* Inspection reports
* Correspondence
* Site photos
* Repair documentation
* Grant applications
### Connected to your data
Files link to properties and records automatically:
* View all files for a property from the property page
* Attach inspection photos to inspection records
* See which properties have missing Elevation Certificates
* Filter properties by document availability
### Public sharing options
Share documents with residents through multiple channels:
* **Public website** - Display files on your public portal for community access
* **Email sharing** - Send secure links to specific files for individual requests
* **Guest upload** - Allow property owners to upload their own Elevation Certificates
### Powerful search and filtering
The Files table provides advanced tools to find exactly what you need:
* Filter by document type, date range, or property attributes
* Search by property address or file name
* Create saved views for common searches
* Sort by upload date, issued date, or document type
* Export filtered results for reporting
Access the Files table from the main navigation to see all your documents in one place. Create saved views for frequent searches like "ECs uploaded this month" or "Properties missing permits."
### Image metadata
Forerunner automatically extracts and preserves metadata from uploaded images:
* **Timestamp** - When the photo was taken
* **Location** - GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude) where the photo was captured
* **Orientation** - The original orientation of the image
This metadata appears as columns in the Files table, making it easy to filter and sort photos by when and where they were taken.
Location metadata is only captured if your device's camera has access to location services with precise location enabled.
**To enable location for your camera:**
1. Open **Settings**
2. Tap **Privacy & Security**
3. Tap **Location Services**
4. Scroll down and tap **Camera**
5. Select **While Using the App**
6. Ensure **Precise Location** is turned on
1. Open **Settings**
2. Tap **Location** (or **Security & Location**)
3. Ensure location is turned **On**
4. Go back to **Settings** and tap **Apps**
5. Find and tap **Camera**
6. Tap **Permissions** > **Location**
7. Select **Allow only while using the app**
8. If available, turn on **Use precise location**
## Where to manage files
**Files table** - Access all your files in one searchable table with filtering, sorting, and export capabilities. You can upload Elevation Certificates from the Files table since they automatically geocode to properties. All other file types must be uploaded from a property or object. See [Tables documentation](/tables/overview) to learn about creating views and exporting data.
**Property and object pages** - View and upload files directly from property or object detail pages where documents appear alongside records and tasks. This is where you'll upload most file types like permits, photos, and reports.
**Mobile app** - Upload photos and documents in the field, with offline support for areas without connectivity.
**Public website** - Property owners and residents can view shared files and upload Elevation Certificates if you've enabled this feature.
## Getting started with files
New to file management in Forerunner? Here's where to begin:
1. **Review your file types** - Make sure you have file types configured for your workflows. Managers can add or adjust them in account settings — see [Managing file types](/files/managing-file-types)
2. **Upload your first files** - Start with a few Elevation Certificates or photos to see how files connect to properties
3. **Explore the Files table** - Navigate to Files in the main menu to see your documents and try filtering by document type or date
4. **Try Elevation Certificate processing** - Upload an EC and watch Forerunner automatically extract the data
5. **Set up public sharing** - Decide which document types should be visible to residents and configure visibility settings
As you become more comfortable with files, explore advanced features like bulk uploads, document templates, and saved table views for common searches.
Files are stored securely with automatic sanitization to remove potential malware. PDFs are selectively sanitized to remove dangerous elements while [preserving accessibility tags](/files/pdf-accessibility), and images have EXIF data stripped before final storage. Key metadata (timestamp, location, orientation) is extracted and preserved before stripping.
## File size limits
Forerunner supports these file formats and size limits:
| File Type | Maximum Size | Common Uses |
| ----------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| PDF | 30 MB | Elevation Certificates, permits, reports, correspondence |
| Images (JPG, PNG) | 30 MB each | Site photos, inspection images, damage documentation |
| Videos (MP4, MOV) | 600 MB | Site videos, inspection documentation |
You can upload up to 10 files at once. If you need to upload more than 10 files or files exceeding the size limits, contact your Customer Success Manager for assistance.
### Reducing Elevation Certificate file sizes
Large Elevation Certificate files can slow down uploads and processing. FEMA recommends keeping attached images under 300KB. If your ECs are too large, try one of these approaches:
Reducing image size before attaching to the EC preserves all digital signing information.
**Windows**
1. Right-click the image file and select **Edit** (or open in Paint)
2. Select **Resize** and choose a smaller percentage or dimensions
3. Select **Save As** and choose JPEG format
**Mac**
1. Open the image in Preview
2. Select **Tools** > **Adjust Size** from the menu bar
3. Set resolution to 72 dpi and reduce the dimensions
4. Select **File** > **Export** and save as JPEG
Re-exporting compresses the file but may remove digital signatures.
**Windows**
1. Open the EC and select **Print**
2. Choose **Adobe PDF** as the printer
3. Select **Properties** > **High Quality Print**
4. Save the new PDF
**Mac**
1. Open the EC in Preview
2. Select **File** > **Export**
3. Choose PDF format and select **Reduce File Size** from the Quartz Filter menu
4. Save the new PDF
Services like [Adobe Compress PDF](https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/compress-pdf.html) can reduce file sizes. Results vary, and encrypted PDFs may not be supported.
## Security and permissions
File access is controlled through Forerunner's permission system:
* **Staff users** - Access based on account role (Manager, Member, Creator, or View Only)
* **Sensitive documents** - Automatically hidden from public view when marked as sensitive
* **Public visibility** - Individual files can be toggled between public and private
* **Guest access** - Public users can view non-hidden files through the public portal
Managers can mark file types as sensitive in account settings, ensuring certain categories of files are never accidentally shared publicly.
## Troubleshooting
If you see a "content blocked" message when viewing PDFs in Chrome or Microsoft Edge, your browser is set to download PDFs instead of displaying them. Update your browser settings to fix this:
1. Select the menu (**⋮**) in the top right and choose **Settings**
2. Go to **Privacy and Security** > **Site Settings**
3. Scroll down and select **Additional Content Settings** > **PDF Documents**
4. Select **Open PDFs in Chrome**
1. Select the menu (**⋯**) in the top right and choose **Settings**
2. Go to **Cookies and Site Permissions**
3. Scroll down and select **PDF Documents**
4. Turn off the option to download PDFs
If you still have issues, contact [support@withforerunner.com](mailto:support@withforerunner.com).