Introduction

Autosaving for file uploads requires a refreshed _nonce value during each file submission. We can implement a custom script that enables background autosave functionality for single-file upload fields in assignment forms (inbox views).

Important Notes

• Supported only in assignment forms (e.g., those accessed from the user’s Inbox).
• Works only with single-file upload fields; multi-file upload fields are not supported.
• Customization required; you must update the form, dropzone, and saveAsDraft element selectors in the script to match the structure of your specific form.

How does it work?

1. In Form Builder, identify the single file upload field you wish to autosave.
2. Locate the form’s form, dropzone, and Save As Draft button selectors. Please take note down the selector by inspecting your form element and update these selectors in the script.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Figure 1: Identify and note the selector used to update the form_id within the script.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Figure 2: Identify and note the selector used to update the file upload field_id within the script.
3. Drag and drop a Custom HTML element from the palette to the form.
4. Insert the following autosave script into the Custom HTML element in your form. Modify the form, dropzone, and saveAsDraft element selectors with the selectors from your form.
   

   var autoSaveJob;
   $(document).on('page_loaded', function () {
       clearInterval(autoSaveJob);
       var fileName = "";
       function saveForm() {
           var form = $('form#request'); //CHANGE THIS - if required
           const params = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
           const mode = params.get('_mode');
           
           var payload = new FormData(form[0]);
           var $dropzoneElm = $('#evidence').closest('.dropzone'); //CHANGE THIS
           
           dz = Dropzone.forElement($dropzoneElm[0]);
           
           if (form.length == 0 || mode != 'assignment') {
               console.log("autoSaveJob abort");
               clearInterval(autoSaveJob);
               return;
           }
           
           // skip autosave if file upload is empty or filename is same as previous one
           if (dz.files.length == 0 || dz.files[0].name == fileName) {
               console.log("autoSaveJob skipped");
               return;    
           }
           
           // replace filename if newly uploaded
           if (dz.files.length > 0) {
               console.log(dz.files[0].name);
               fileName = dz.files[0].name;
           }
           
           var submitBtn = $('#saveAsDraft'); //CHANGE THIS - the save as draft button
           payload.append(submitBtn.attr('id'), submitBtn.val());
           
           console.log("autoSaveJob " + new Date());
           
           fetch(form.attr('action') + '&' + ConnectionManager.tokenName + '=' + ConnectionManager.tokenValue, {
               method: form.attr('method'),
               body: payload
             })
             .then(response => {
               if (!response.ok) {
                 throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
               }
               return response.text();
             })
             .then(html => {
               match = html.match(/[?&]_nonce=([^&]+)/);
               if (match) {
                   newValue = match[1];
                   console.log("found " + newValue);
                   
                   dzOldURL = dz.options.url;
                   console.log("old url " + dzOldURL);
                   
                   dzNewURL = dzOldURL.replace(/([?&]_nonce=)[^&]*/, `$1${newValue}`);
                   console.log("new url " + dzNewURL);
                   
                   dz.options.url = dzNewURL;
               } else {
                 console.log('_nonce not found');
               }
               
             })
             .catch(error => {
               console.error('Error saving form:', error);
             });
       }
       
       // Autosave form every 10 seconds
       autoSaveJob = setInterval(saveForm, 10 * 1000);
   });

5. Test the functionality in the assignment (Inbox) view.

The provided script should be embedded in a Custom HTML element within your form. Here's what the script does:

Figure 3: Custom HTML on form with File  uploads

• Interval Check: Every 10 seconds, the script checks whether a new file has been added to the upload field.
• Autosave Trigger: If a new, unsaved file is detected, the script automatically submits the form in the background using a fetch call to the form’s action URL.
• Nonce Refresh: After the save is completed, the _nonce value is refreshed to ensure the file upload component (dropzone) remains functional and secure.

Download Sample App

App_kb_dx8_fileUpload_autoSave.jwa