Knowledge Base Article: CKB117 - Adding Content to Vault

This section describes how to add content to your M-Files vault using the classic M-Files Desktop.

Note: When you save files to your M-Files drive, the information is not usually stored on your personal hard drive. With M-Files Desktop, you see the M-Files drive in File Explorer like your other hard drives.

Saving Files to M-Files

To save files to your M-Files drive, use one of these methods:

• Save directly to the M-Files drive in File Explorer
• Drag and drop files onto the M-Files drive
• Use copy and paste to the M-Files drive
• Use the Import Files and Folders function

Tip: Use Skip This to select not to save a file to M-Files. You can do this when you save many files at once.

When you save a file to M-Files, M-Files asks you to add metadata. For more information, see Object metadata.

Duplicate File Detection

If you try to save a file that is already in the vault, M-Files lets you know. M-Files shows you the duplicate documents to which you have permissions.

• In the listing area: To see the documents with duplicate file content, expand the object — duplicates are shown under the Duplicate File Content node
• When you add new vault content: If M-Files detects documents with duplicate file content in the vault, it alerts you before saving

Creating Documents

To create a new document in M-Files:

• Click the Create button in the top area and select the appropriate document type
• Select a template or choose a blank document format from the dialog
• Click Next to open the metadata card for the new document
• Fill in the required properties (marked with an asterisk *)
• Select whether you want the document to be opened for editing (Open for editing) or available to others immediately (Check in immediately)

Tip: Use permissions to specify who can view, open, or edit the document.

Creating Non-Document Objects

In addition to documents, you can create other objects such as customers and projects. These objects have a metadata card but can exist without any files.

• Click the Create button and select the appropriate object type
• Enter the values for the mandatory fields (marked with an asterisk *)
• Click Create to save the object

Note: The Check in immediately option is selected by default to make sure that the new object is saved to the repository immediately. You can leave the object checked out to you to add metadata before saving.