File Sharing
Copera makes it easy to share files directly inside text channels, keeping documents, images, and other attachments alongside the conversations they belong to. Instead of switching to email or a separate file-sharing service, you can upload and preview files right where the discussion happens.
Uploading Files
There are two ways to share a file in a text channel:
Drag and Drop
The fastest way to share a file is to drag it from your computer and drop it directly into the channel conversation area. Copera shows a visual indicator when a file is hovering over the drop zone, confirming that the file will be uploaded to the channel once you release it.
- Open the file explorer on your computer (Finder on Mac, File Explorer on Windows).
- Select one or more files.
- Drag them into the text channel message area.
- Release to begin the upload.
Click to Upload
You can also use the attachment button in the message input bar:
- Click the attachment icon (paperclip) in the message composer at the bottom of the channel.
- A file picker dialog opens --- browse your computer and select the file you want to share.
- Click Open to begin the upload.
Both methods support uploading multiple files at once. A progress indicator appears while files are being uploaded, showing the upload percentage and transfer speed in real time.
Supported File Types
Copera accepts a wide variety of file types for sharing in channels:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Images | PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, WebP |
| Documents | PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, TXT, CSV |
| Audio | MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A |
| Video | MP4, MOV, WebM |
| Archives | ZIP, RAR, 7Z |
| Other | Any file type can be uploaded and shared |
Previews and Playback
Copera renders inline previews for common file types so recipients can see content without downloading:
- Images --- Displayed as inline thumbnails directly in the message. Click an image to open a full-size lightbox viewer.
- GIFs --- Animated GIFs play automatically in the channel feed.
- Audio messages --- Audio files appear as a playback widget with play/pause controls and a progress bar. Audio messages can also be automatically transcribed so you can read the content without listening.
- Video --- Video attachments show a thumbnail with a play button. Click to start playback in an embedded player.
For file types that do not have an inline preview (such as ZIP archives or spreadsheets), Copera displays the file name, size, and type icon so recipients know what the attachment contains.
Downloading Shared Files
To download a file that someone shared in the channel:
- Hover over the message containing the file.
- Click the three-dot menu in the message action bar.
- Select Download to save the file to your device.
For images, you can also right-click the preview and use your browser's save option.
Channel Media and Files Panel
Every text channel has a Media & Files panel accessible from the channel details view. This panel lists all files and media that have been shared in the channel, organized chronologically. Use it to:
- Browse all images, documents, and attachments shared in the channel.
- Download files without scrolling through the conversation to find them.
- See who shared each file and when.
To open the panel, click the channel name or the info icon in the channel header to open the channel details sidebar, then navigate to the Media tab.
Integration with Drive
Files shared in text channels are uploaded through Copera's private file storage. If you need to organize shared files more formally, you can save them to Drive, Copera's built-in file management system. From Drive, you can organize files into folders, share them with specific people, and manage access permissions.
When sharing large files or files that multiple people need to reference over time, consider uploading them to Drive first and then sharing a link in the channel. This keeps the file organized in a central location and makes it easier to manage access later.