IE: input type="file" multiple

Question

How come IE 9 does not support input type="file" multiple like other browsers do?

<form action="#" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data">
  <input type="file" multiple name="uploads[]" />
  <input type="submit"/>
</form>

How can I make it work on IE?

Galsworthy

You kinda look surprised that IE doesn't do what you think it should. New in the business? ;) – Winthorpe

@lauthiamkok completely off-topic, I love your site and the way you work with big photos! – Oberland

@PeeHaa, I know IE does not do lots of things. But I thought IE 9 has been a big improvement :-( – Galsworthy

@lauthiamkok: actually it is a lot better. But why would they make sure they get everything right this time when then can annoy us developers for years to come :) Also in their defense HTML5 is still a draft (not that that's the reason they haven't implemented it yet :P ) – Winthorpe

@PeeHaa, IE is really a pain even though they got the point sometimes, eg HTML5 is still a draft. – Galsworthy

Answer 1

Uploading multiple files is a specific part of HTML5 that none of the Internet Explorers support.

Urethritis

Answer 2

IE should support multiple according to this doc:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ie/hh772307(v=vs.85).aspx

But even so, their own example does not work with IE9 for me..

<input type="file" multiple="multiple" onchange="for (var i = 0; i < this.files.length; i++) { document.write(this.files[i].name ) };" />

When the onchange event fires, the files property doesn't appear to exist for the HTMLInputElement in IE, whereas in Chrome it does.

Update: this doc apparently doesn't apply to IE9. IE 10 is said to support the File API. Let's hope it will be released soon.

Cimino

Answer 3

You may use button that create additional inputs in IE.
It will work same as multiple input in other browsers(for your server).

Sure, users will should select every file one by one, but they use IE

Fascinator

Since I cannot upload files by drag-and-drop with IE so I must use classic file input, and then it does not allow me to select multiple files. IE the greatest browser :D. – Ledeen

Answer 4

I got it fixed by adding below metadata at the top of page after "Title" tag.

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge" />

"IE=Edge" loads the latest version of IE version.

Aeneas

This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post - you can always comment on your own posts, and once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post. - From Review – Agrimony

@LucaDetomi How this doesn't provide an answer to the question? – Symptomatic

Your nswer was flagged as too short and automatic tools highlight this fact. I'm not saying that it's not correct, but I suggest you to add more details to let users "why" your answer is a good one and maybe the best one. Please, explain basis of your answer so users maybe could "extend" it to other use cases – Agrimony