Upload a Document or File

This article provides guidance on uploading documents and files to BambooHR, emphasizing the benefits of digital storage for efficiency. It details navigation to the Files tab, the upload process, and options for sharing files with employees or groups. Users can upload multiple files using drag-and-drop or by selecting from folders. The article outlines the process for uploading documents to individual employee profiles, noting that documents can only be shared with specific individuals. It also covers downloading files and documents, including bulk download options. Additionally, it explains where employees can upload documents, including the Documents tab, onboarding tasks, and the New Hire Packet. Key tips include file size limits and the importance of confirming deletions.

  • May 21, 2026
  • Knowledge

Title
Upload a Document or File
Article Text
This feature is included in the Core, Pro, and Elite packages.

How do I upload a document or file?

Purpose: To help you understand how to upload a document or file to BambooHR. Storing your documents and files in BambooHR will not only save you space in your office from the dreaded filing cabinet but save you and your employees time by having quick and easy access to the files and documents they need to review often.

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Table of Contents

Files

Files

To upload a new file, navigate to the Files tab and click Upload File.

Upload a file

Did you know you can upload multiple files at once? Simply drag multiple files to the upload modal!

Files

Select Choose file(s)  to select the file(s) from a folder or use the drag and drop feature to upload a file.

  1. Folder: Select a folder where you would like to save the file.
  2. Share these file(s) with all Employees: Check the box if you would like to share the file with all employees.
  3. Share These File(s) with Individuals or Groups: Type the name of an access level with assigned users or an individual employee with who you would like to share the file.

Once you determine the settings, click Upload.

The maximum size per file or document upload is 20 MB. We recommend uploading no more than 100 documents per folder to maintain normal loading times.

Successful upload of a file

Files

When you successfully upload the file, it will show up under the appropriate file folder on the Files tab.

How do I download a file?
Files

To download a file, hover over the file name and click the download button on the right. Clicking this button will immediately download the file.

Files

To download multiple files, check the box next to the files you would like to download. Then, click the download button in the top right corner. All selected files will immediately download into a zip file.

How do I upload a document?
Charlotte Abbott - Employee Files

You can upload a document to an employee's Documents tab in the same* way you upload a file. However, you will first need to navigate directly to the employee's Documents tab and click Upload to begin the process.

*The only difference between uploading a file versus uploading a document is that you can only share a document directly with an employee instead of multiple users in BambooHR.

Look out! We will always make you confirm before you delete a file, but deleting a document from an employee folder is irreversible.

To make it even easier, you can also just click and drag from your computer to BambooHR to upload a document.

Can I do a mass upload of documents?

You can easily upload multiple documents for a single employee through the Documents tab by clicking "Upload" and then selecting or dragging your files to the modal. However, it's important to note that BambooHR does not support uploading multiple documents for different employees simultaneously.

If there is a general document that every employee needs to access, such as an employee handbook or a map of your headquarters, consider sharing these through Files.

If you are familiar with setting up API calls, you can use this call. Using this call, you can add, delete, or upload employees’ Documents in bulk:

https://documentation.bamboohr.com/reference/upload-employee-file-1

How do I download a document?
Charlotte Abbott - Employee Files

To download a document, hover over the document's title on an employee's Documents tab. Then, click the download button in the upper right corner. Clicking this button will immediately download the document.

To download all documents, click the download button in the upper right corner of the Documents tab. This will give you the option to download all documents for the employee. Or, if you are viewing a specific documents folder you will have the option to download all documents in the folder you are viewing.

To download multiple files, check the box next to each file you would like to download. A bar will pop up showing how many files you have selected. Click Download. All selected documents will immediately download into a zip file.

Where can an employee upload a document?

To allow an employee to upload a document, you will need to check this option in General Settings under Account in Settings.

If you give an employee access to upload a document, they can upload a document in three different places: the Documents tab on their employee profile, onboarding tasks in their inbox, and the New Hire Packet.

Documents tab

Charlotte Abbott - Employee Files

If you grant an employee access to upload a document, they will see Upload on the Documents tab. The process of uploading a document is the same as described above. However, all of the employee's uploads will upload to the Employee Uploads folder. Any documents that an employee uploads will remain available to the employee even if an administrator moves a document to a different folder on the employee's Documents tab. If the employee should no longer see an uploaded document, an administrator will need to select to unshare the document with the employee.

You do not want to miss an important document from an employee. Click here to learn how you can set up an email alert to notify the Full Admin user(s) when an employee uploads a new document.

An onboarding task

Inbox (6)

When you assign an onboarding or offboarding task to an employee, you will see an option to allow the employee to upload files to the task when you create the task in your template. If you check this option, the employee will see the Attach Files button within the task in their inbox. All of the employee's document uploads will upload to the Employee Uploads folder on their Documents tab. Please note that if an employee attaches a file in a comment entry via the paperclip icon, the file will upload to the Tasklist Attachments folder on their Documents tab.

New Hire Packet

Tasks

If a task is due before an employee's hire date, it will show in the New Hire Packet. If you have checked the box to allow the employee to upload files to the task, the employee will see the Attach Files button in the New Hire Packet. All of the employee's document uploads will upload to the Employee Uploads folder on their Documents tab. 

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