Restrict Upload File Types for Different Users in WooCommerce

Enabling WooCommerce upload file is one thing, but controlling who can upload files based on user roles is another important aspect.
If not managed properly, it can lead to users uploading unnecessary or even harmful files. So, what should you do in this situation?
The key is to limit file upload permissions for different user roles. This will be the main focus of our discussion today.

Why should you Restrict File Upload in WooCommerce?

When users upload files to your WooCommerce website, they may start uploading unnecessary, large, or potentially harmful files.
While there are benefits to allowing file uploads, there are also risks involved. You can avoid this issue by limiting file upload permissions according to user roles.

How to Restrict File Uploading Permissions on Your WooCommerce Store?

Restricting and managing file upload permissions is simpler than you might think. In this comprehensive guide, we will clarify the process for you. There are two approaches to achieving this: through coding or by using a plugin.
In this article, we will focus solely on the WooCommerce Upload Files Plugin, which is user-friendly and highly effective, making it an ideal choice.
The plugin allows you to limit file uploads based on different conditions. Let’s get started and see how you can use the WooCommerce customer upload files plugin to control file uploads.

Step 1: Install the WooCommerce upload files plugin

1. Download the Customer Upload Files for WooCommerce plugin.
2. Go to the WooCommerce admin panel, in the Plugins section, click on “Add New” and upload the .Zip file that you downloaded earlier.
3. Proceed to install the plugin.
4. After successful installation activate the plugin.

Step 2: Go to Upload Files Configuration Settings

In the admin panel, navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Upload Files to configure the settings for the WooCommerce file upload plugin. In the Upload Files tab, you will encounter two sections: “Add Rule” and “Manage Rule.” The next step is to establish rules to control file uploads. To create these rules, go to the “Add Rule” section and follow the steps provided.

• Enable the plugin.
• Select where you want to display the file upload button on your WooCommerce store. You have the option to display the button on the product page, cart page, or checkout page after notes.
• Choose if you want to allow uploading single or multiple files. The following settings can be set for both single and multiple files.
  • Set price limit to enable upload file
  • Based on the discount type (fixed or percentage)
  • Make the upload file required if necessary
  • You can hide details on the website frontend
  • Enable to allow customers to add descriptions for further details
• Admin can also select which types of files are allowed to upload.
• Set the maximum size to upload the file.
• Select the specific products, categories, or all products for which you want to enable the upload file option.

Step 3: Restrict File Upload Based on User Roles

Once you’ve set up the initial configuration, the next step is to customize the file upload options according to different user roles. You can choose particular user roles for which you want to permit file uploads and create multiple rules to restrict file uploads according to your needs. By default, WooCommerce includes the following user roles:

• Administrator
• Editor
• Contributor
• Subscriber
• Customer
• Shop manager

You can choose one or more user roles for a single rule. By creating multiple rules, you can establish specific conditions to control file uploads. In the “Manage Rule” section, you can modify or delete the rules according to your preferences. 

Additionally, the WooCommerce file upload plugin lets you add custom file extensions, enabling you to include file types that are most relevant to your website. Follow the steps below to add custom file extensions.

Go to WooCommerce > Settings> Upload Files > Custom File Extensions. In this section, the administrator can include custom file extensions that are currently not supported by the WooCommerce upload files plugin. Multiple file extensions can be added, and they should be separated by commas.

Step 4: View, Download & Approve/Disapprove  Customer Uploaded Files

To view the files uploaded by the customer, you’ll need to open each order separately. Once the order is open, you can approve or reject the files and download them as required. How you access the files will depend on the page where the customer uploaded them:

• When customers upload a file from the product page, the uploaded file will be visible in the “Item” section of the order detail page.
• When customers upload a file from the cart or checkout page, the uploaded file will appear at the bottom of each order in the “Upload File” section.

By carefully completing all the steps mentioned above, you should now have successfully controlled file uploading on your website. 

Customize file upload permissions and file size limits based on your preferences to ensure a smooth and efficient experience with your site.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, controlling file upload permissions on your WooCommerce website is crucial for maintaining a secure and effective user experience. 

The WooCommerce Upload Files Plugin streamlines this process by enabling you to establish specific rules based on user roles and customize file extension support. 

By adhering to the recommended steps, you can effectively manage file uploads and mitigate risks associated with unwanted or harmful files. These practices lead to a smooth website experience that benefits both administrators and customers.