Multiple File Upload with Form Trigger – First File Disappears When Selecting a Second

Questions
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1

Describe the problem/error/question

I’m using the Form Trigger node in n8n with the “Multiple Files” option enabled for a field called “documenten.” The idea is to let a user upload multiple PDFs for a dossier. However, if a user selects one PDF from a specific folder and then tries to select another PDF from a different folder in a second action, the first file disappears from the form. Essentially, the user can’t pick multiple files incrementally from different folders without losing the previously selected file.

I’ve heard this is a limitation of <input type="file" multiple> in HTML, which doesn’t “append” new files once the file dialog is reopened. I’m wondering if there is a known workaround or a hidden setting in n8n that can make incremental file selection possible. Does anyone have a solution or best practice for this?

What is the error message (if any)?

There’s no specific error message in the workflow—this is just the default behavior. The form only shows the most recently chosen file, so the first one disappears from view.

Please share your workflow

json

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Information on your n8n setup

  • n8n version: 1.81.4
  • Database (default: SQLite): SQLite
  • n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main): (Please fill in if relevant)
  • Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): Docker on Ubuntu (DigitalOcean)
  • Operating system: Ubuntu 22.04

Any suggestions on how to allow users to upload files one at a time from different folders without overwriting earlier selections? Thanks in advance!

2

This is admittedly not a solid answer, but my quick thought was to potentially use multiple form pages. You can use the next form page node.

Or multiple form entries for files.

I was able to test with selecting multiple files from one open. Maybe you just have to inform the user to select all from various directories in one upload action, rather than trying to click it again to go to a different directory.

I believe this is a default behavior of file upload forms, and not related to n8n.