anytype-docs-creation-files-and-media.md
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.
In Anytype, files aren't just attachments — they're Objects in their own right. Upload an image, video, audio file, or any other file, and it becomes a standalone Object you can reference just like anything else in your space.
This means a file exists once but can be linked across as many Objects as you need — no duplicates, no clutter.
A photo from a team retreat can be referenced in a Planning doc, a Team Profile page, and a Retrospective note, all without creating multiple copies.
There are four built-in File Types in Anytype. Each File Type has its own default Properties and its own dedicated layout optimized for the content.
Type
Default layout
Image
Image preview at top — JPG, PNG, GIF
Video
Embedded player — MP4, MOV, AVI
Audio
Embedded player — MP3, WAV, AAC
File
Download link with metadata — PDF, ZIP, TXT
This will add the file as a block in the page and create a standalone Object in the space. There are multiple ways to get a file into the editor:
Drag and drop the file with your mouse.
Copy and paste with shortcut cmd/ctrl + v
Add the 'File Block' from the menu with the shortcut /file
Adding files via the editor will treat deletion differently, learn more below.
This will append the file to a message in the chat and create a standalone Object in the space. There are multiple ways to get a file into a chat:
Drag and drop the file with your mouse.
Copy and paste with shortcut cmd/ctrl + v
Click '+' button on the side and select Upload from computer.
In the sidebar, click the Create dropdown button.
Choose Upload from computer.
Select a file, drag and drop, or add from a URL.
In the sidebar, click the File Type's plus button.
Select a file, drag and drop, or add from a URL.
Open the File Type of your choice.
Click on the New button.
Create a Collection or open an existing one.
Drag and drop directly into the Objects area.
All uploads will be part of the Collection and their corresponding File Type.
Once an Object has been uploaded into your space, you're able to use it again on other Objects. There are two methods:
In the block menu, select Add file in the Links category.
In the block menu, choose the desired Media Block (File for PDFs and Image for JPGs) and navigate to the Library tab.
This is great for ensuring you're always working from the same file. For example, you can reference the same PDF across many documents without uploading it multiple times, keeping things up to date.
Objects in Anytype are not organized by hierarchy, which means that everything exists independently. This means a file on a page exists as a block, but it can also be used across the rest of your space independently in other pages or as a standalone file.
Deleting the file block from the page does not delete the File Object itself; it only removes the block or link. To delete the file, you must explicitly select Move to Bin.
If you are worried about storage in your space, there is a Cleanup section in the Bin that suggests files to delete which likely no longer serve a purpose in your space.
There are three ways to find your files.
Types — open the File Type from the sidebar. Click 'Image' to see all photos, 'Audio' to see all audio files, etc.
Queries — create a Query for finer control, such as a filter for files larger than 10MB or files uploaded this week.
Search — use the button in the sidebar or shortcut cmd + k to look directly for your file.
Like any Object, a File can have:
Description — for brief information
Tags — for categorization
Object links — to connect it to other Objects
Properties — additional details to help with organization
When you add a file inline in an editor, you can choose how it's displayed:
As an embed — the file is shown inline (image visible, video player embedded, etc.)
As a link — a compact link that opens the file when clicked
The default is set in Vault Settings > Preferences > Content > File block default style. Either way, the file exists as an Object you can find through Queries and the sidebar.
Files contribute to your Channel's storage usage. Owners can monitor this in Channel Settings > Remote Storage , where they see per-member storage breakdowns and total Channel usage.
In shared Channels, large files can eat up bandwidth on every device. To prevent this, you can set a maximum file size for automatic sync in Settings.
Files larger than the limit won't be fetched automatically — they're listed but stay on the network until a member explicitly opens them. This keeps storage manageable on devices with limited disk space.
To change the limit:
Open Settings > Local Storage.
Find Offline Access.
Set your desired value.
Last updated 7 hours ago
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