How to use Layer's project Files page to view, search, preview, and download every file uploaded across categories and records in a project.
Mike Lee
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Layer's project Files page is the cross-element home for every file uploaded into a project. Photos, PDFs, drawings, attachments, and supporting documents added to elements, fields, or notes are aggregated here so teams can browse, search, and download the project's full file history from a single surface. The page complements the per-element file fields and is the right surface when you need to find a file regardless of which element it was attached to.
This article explains what the project Files page does, when to use it, how the tabs are organized, and how to find, preview, and download files from this view.
What the project Files page does
The project Files page surfaces every file uploaded into the project. Files attached to elements via file fields, files attached to notes, and files captured from mobile devices all appear here. Each file in the list links back to the element and field it was originally attached to.
The page is browseable and downloadable. From here you can preview files inline, download individual files, search across file names, and navigate to the element a file is associated with.
When to use the project Files page
Use the project Files page when you want to:
See every photo, PDF, or document uploaded across the project regardless of which element it lives on.
Find a file by name, type, or upload date without remembering which element it is attached to.
Audit pending uploads after fieldwork. Files captured offline appear here once the device syncs.
Download a batch of project files for archive, reporting, or external delivery.
For files attached to a single element, use the file field on that element's detail pane. The project Files page is the cross-element view.
How to open the project Files page
Open any project, then select Files from the left sidenav. The page loads with the default tab visible. The URL pattern is /project/{projectId}/files/{tab}. Opening Files without a tab parameter redirects to the default project-files tab.
How the page is organized
The project Files page is tab-based. Each tab scopes the file list differently. The default tab is project-files, which lists every file in the project.
Each row in the file list shows the file name, type, size, upload date, the user who uploaded it, and tags that link back to the related element and field. Clicking a file opens it in the file viewer, which renders previews for images and PDFs inline. Clicking an element or field tag opens the element at the relevant location.
How to preview and download files
To preview a file, click the file in the list. The file viewer opens as a modal overlay and renders the file inline. For images, the viewer displays the photo at full resolution. For PDFs, the viewer renders the document and supports navigation between pages. For other file types, the viewer offers a download link.
To download a file, open it in the file viewer and use the download action, or right-click the file row in the list and use the browser's save action.
How to search and filter files
Use the search input at the top of the page to search file names. Search runs across every file in the active tab.
The Files filter button supports filtering by upload date, file type, uploader, and related element or field. Apply filters to narrow large file lists without having to scroll.
How file uploads work
Files are uploaded into a project in three ways:
From a file field on an element. Open the element, click the file field, and use the upload dialog. See Field type: file and photo for the file field reference.
From a note. Files can be attached as part of note creation on either an element or the project Notes page.
From a mobile device in the field. Photos and files captured offline are stored locally on the device and uploaded automatically once the device reconnects to the network.
Pending uploads from offline mobile sessions appear in the Files page with an indicator that the file is awaiting sync. Once the device syncs, the indicator clears and the file is fully available to the team.
Tips
Use file naming consistently across the project. A naming convention such as room-101-east-wall-2026-05-06.jpg makes the cross-project file list searchable later. Add files to elements and fields rather than uploading them as standalone notes when the file relates to a specific data point. The cross-link makes the file discoverable from the element without needing to search. For client deliverables, use a Document View export to combine project data and files into a formatted PDF rather than sending raw files. See Document view for export configuration. For mobile-heavy projects, review pending uploads on the Files page after each site visit to confirm every captured file synced successfully.
Common issues
If a file you expected to see is not in the Files page, the file may still be syncing from a mobile device. Check the device for any pending upload indicator and confirm it is connected to the network.
If a file fails to preview in the file viewer, the file format may not be supported for inline preview. Download the file and open it locally instead.
If you cannot delete a file, your project role may not include file deletion permission. See Project roles and permissions for the role matrix.
Additional Resources
Cross-reference Project roles and permissions and Field type: file and photo for further information about Fields.
