Work with files
Attach PDFs, supplementary materials, and other files to references in your library to keep all your research materials organized in one place. You can manage attached files directly from the files panel, making it easy to view, download, and organize the documents associated with each reference.
Attach a file
To attach a file to a reference:
- Click the paperclip to show the files panel. The files panel appears under the reference, displaying any files already attached to it.
- Click Attach file in the files panel to open the Attach files dialog.
- Click Choose files and select the files you want to attach from your computer.
Paperpile will upload the files and add them to the reference. You can attach PDFs, images, spreadsheets, text files, and other file types you want to keep with your references. You can attach as many files to a reference as you want.
Drag or drop
You can also drag a file from your computer and drop it onto the files panel to attach it.
Delete a file
To remove a file from a reference, click the paperclip to show the files panel and find the file you want to delete. Click the trash button next to it to delete the file.
Download file to computer
To save a file to your computer, click the paperclip to show the files panel and find the file you want to save to your computer. Click the Save file to your computer button next to it and the file will be saved to your computer's default download location.
Rename a file
To change a file's name, click the paperclip to show the files panel and find the file you want to rename. Click the pencil button next to the file, type the new name in the text box and click Rename.
Files are named automatically based on your file naming settings. See Customize file and folder names to change these settings.
Show a file in Google Drive
If a file is synced to Google Drive, you can open it in Google Drive from the files panel. Click the paperclip, and click the Show in Google Drive button.
To sync all your PDFs and other files to Google Drive, see Sync with Google Drive.
Set a PDF as main PDF
If a reference has multiple PDFs attached, you can choose which one to use as the main PDF. The main PDF is the one that opens when you click PDF to view the reference's PDF.
In the files panel, find the PDF you want to set as the main PDF and click Set as main PDF. The main PDF appears at the top of the file list.