Adding Files to a Product Folder
Adding files to a Product folder in PXM is a straightforward process that allows you to organize your digital assets efficiently. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to upload files and explain how you can organize them within PXM.
Uploading New Files to the Product Page:
Navigate to the Product: Start by searching and selecting the folder where you want to add your files.
Click on the "Upload/Import" Button on the bottom right of the screen. Clicking on this button will open the upload menu.
Note: make sure you stay toggled to File Upload instead of Data Import.
Set Folder Tags: The folder tags section will automatically be filled out with the name of the Product folder you are on. You can add additional tags if desired as our platform is relationship based instead of location based.
Complete the Upload: Once you've selected your folder preferences, click "Next" to proceed. Drag and drop your files into the designated box, or click on it to browse for your files. Follow the prompts to complete the upload process.
Uploading Files from Anywhere in PXM:
Click on the "Upload/Import" Button: The "Upload/Import" button is always found on the bottom right of the screen, and is available from almost anywhere in PXM. Click on this button to open the upload menu.
Fill Out Folder Tags: If you're uploading files from outside the collection folder details page, you'll need to manually fill out the folder tags section.
Complete the Upload: Follow the same steps as described earlier to complete the upload process.
Uploading a file with the same name as an existing file
When a file you upload has the same name as a file already in Pattern PXM, PXM asks what you want to do instead of quietly creating a duplicate. You can update the existing file and keep its tags, save the new file as a version, or keep both files.
Tip: To see how this works before you upload, click Guided tour: what's new for same-name files on step 1 of the upload panel. The tour uses sample files, so nothing is uploaded. It's available on desktop.
How to upload a file with a matching name
Open the folder or product you're working in, open its FILES tab, then click UPLOAD / IMPORT at the bottom right.
On UPLOAD SETTINGS (step 1 of 2), stay on the FILE UPLOAD tab, check the location and tags, then click NEXT.
On FILE SELECTION (step 2 of 2), click CHOOSE FILE(S), or drag files into the upload box.
If any file matches the name of an existing file, one of two panels opens. Which one you see depends on whether the file format matches (see below).
Choose an option tab, then tick SELECT ALL or the individual files you want it to apply to.
Click the button at the bottom right to apply your choice and continue the upload. To stop without choosing, click CANCEL.
Good to know: The option you pick applies to every file you tick in that panel. Files you don't tick are not uploaded.
Same name and same format: EXISTING FILES DETECTED
This panel opens when your new file has the same name and the same format as an existing file (for example, chair.jpg when chair.jpg is already in Pattern PXM). It reads "Existing files can be replaced or versioned. Tags will be maintained."
REPLACE FILES: The new upload overwrites the existing file. This can't be undone.
VERSION FILES: The new upload becomes the current file, and the previous file is archived as an older version. You can find older versions in the file's version history.
Same name, different format: DIFFERENT FORMAT DETECTED
This panel opens when a new image has the same name as an existing image but a different format (for example, chair.png when chair.jpg is already in Pattern PXM). Each row shows the new file and the file it matches, such as chair.png (new) / chair.jpg (existing).
RENAME (KEEP BOTH): The new upload is saved as a separate file with a number added to its name (for example, chair-1.png). The existing file stays as it is.
REPLACE (MATCH EXISTING): The existing file is replaced by the new upload and switches to the new format. Its tags, folders and attributes are kept.
Caution: REPLACE (MATCH EXISTING) can't be undone. If you might need the old file again, download it first.
Which option should I choose?
Version Files (same format): Updates the file and keeps the old one in its version history. Choose this when you want a record of earlier versions.
Replace Files (same format): Overwrites the existing file. The old file isn't kept.
Rename (Keep Both) (different format): Keeps the existing file and adds the new one under a numbered name.
Replace (Match Existing) (different format): Swaps the existing file for the new one in its new format and keeps its tags, folders and attributes. The old file isn't kept.
Tips
Matching is based on the file name and isn't case-sensitive. Use consistent file names so PXM can recognize your updates. See File Naming Best Practices for PXM.
To keep a history of changes, use Version Files. Learn more in File Versions.
If you share images by CDN link, permalinks (/p/ links) show the current image after you replace a file in the same format or add a new version. The update can take about 5 minutes to appear, so wait and hard-refresh your browser before checking. Custom-size links (/_i/ links) keep pointing to the old image or may stop working. For images, COPY LINK and OPEN LINK now give /_i/ links, so copy fresh links after a replace or new version. If you used REPLACE (MATCH EXISTING) to change an image's format, check your shared links and copy fresh ones. See Accessing Pattern PXM Files via CDN.
Troubleshooting
My new file was saved with "-1" added to its name. Either Rename (Keep Both) was chosen, or the file isn't an image. Rename and Replace for different formats work for images only. Other file types, such as PDFs, PSDs, videos and documents, are still renamed automatically when only the format differs.
My file was skipped. A file is skipped and listed in a message when its name could match more than one existing file (for example, chair.tif when both chair.png and chair-1.jpg already exist). Remove or rename the duplicates, then upload the file again.
Can I undo a replace? No. Replace Files and Replace (Match Existing) are permanent. Use Version Files if you want to keep the earlier file.
I don't see these options. Availability can vary by account. If you don't see these options, check with your Pattern CSM.
Organizing Uploaded Files:
After uploading your files, they will be sorted into different tabs based on their file types:
Images: Supports file types .JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP, .TIF/.TIFF, .WebP, .CR3, .HEIC and .HEIF.
Videos: Supports file types .MP4, .MOV, .WebM and .M4V.
Documents: Supports file types .PDF, .DOC and .DOCX.
Miscellaneous: A catch-all for other file types, such as spreadsheets (.xls, .xlsx, .xlsb and .xlsm), .csv, .pptx, .psd, .ai, .step, .stp, .x_t, .stl and .vtt files.
File Limitations:
These are the largest files you can upload:
Images: about 2 GB per file
Word documents (.doc, .docx): about 2 GB per file
PDFs: 5 GB per file
Videos and miscellaneous files: 21 GB per file
Tip for very large images: Images up to about 2 GB will upload, but PXM may not be able to create resized versions of images larger than about 268 megapixels (for example, 16,384 × 16,384 pixels). For best results, keep images under 268 megapixels.