How do I upload files to my hosting account using File Manager?

Uploading Files to Your Hosting Account Using File Manager

File Manager is a powerful tool in cPanel that allows you to upload, manage, and organize files on your dotCanada.com hosting account without using FTP software. This guide will show you how to use File Manager to upload files to your website.

Accessing File Manager

1. Log in to your cPanel account at https://{hostname}.mysecureservers.com:2087
2. In the search box at the top, type "File Manager" or navigate to the FILES section
3. Click on File Manager
4. A dialog box may appear asking which directory you want to open. For website files, select:
   • Web Root (public_html/www) - This is where your website files should be placed
   • Alternatively, you can choose "Home Directory" to see all folders, including those outside your web root
5. Click Go to open File Manager

Understanding the File Manager Interface

Once File Manager opens, you'll see several parts:

• Left sidebar: Shows your folder structure for easy navigation
• Main panel: Displays files and folders in the current directory
• Top toolbar: Contains action buttons for file operations
• Right-click menu: Additional options available when you right-click on files or folders

Uploading Files: Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using the Upload Function

1. Navigate to the directory where you want to upload files by clicking on folders in the left sidebar or main panel
2. Click the Upload button in the top toolbar
3. A new upload page will open
4. Click Select File or drag and drop files directly onto the upload area
5. Select the file(s) you want to upload from your computer
6. The upload will begin automatically. A progress bar will show the upload status
7. Once the upload is complete, click Back to File Manager to return to your files
8. Your uploaded files should now appear in the current directory

Method 2: Drag and Drop (Modern Browsers)

Many modern browsers support drag and drop uploads directly in the File Manager:

1. Navigate to the directory where you want to upload files
2. Open the folder on your computer that contains the files you want to upload
3. Select the file(s) in the folder on your computer
4. Drag the selected files directly into the File Manager window
5. A progress indicator will show the upload status
6. Your files will appear in the directory once the upload completes

Uploading Multiple Files

To upload multiple files at once:

• When selecting files from your computer, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking to select multiple individual files
• Or, hold Shift to select a range of files
• To upload an entire folder, use the "Upload a Folder" option if available (supported in Chrome and some other browsers)

Uploading Compressed Files

For uploading many files at once or large folders, it's often easier to upload a compressed (ZIP) file:

1. Compress (ZIP) your files or folder on your computer
2. Upload the ZIP file using the methods described above
3. Once uploaded, select the ZIP file in File Manager
4. Click Extract in the top toolbar
5. Choose the extraction location (usually the current directory)
6. Click Extract File(s)
7. The files will be extracted to the specified location
8. You can then delete the ZIP file if desired

Upload Size Limits

dotCanada.com hosting accounts have the following default upload limits:

• Individual file size: Up to 150MB through File Manager
• PHP upload limit: Up to 128MB (for script-based uploads)

If you need to upload larger files, consider:

• Splitting your content into smaller files
• Using FTP instead of File Manager (see our guide on Using FTP)
• Compressing (zipping) your files to reduce their size

Managing Uploaded Files

After uploading, you can perform various actions on your files:

• Edit: Click on a file and select "Edit" to modify text files directly in the browser
• Rename: Click on a file and select "Rename" to change the file name
• Move: Select files and click "Move" to relocate them to a different directory
• Copy: Select files and click "Copy" to duplicate them
• Delete: Select files and click "Delete" to remove them
• Change Permissions: Select a file and click "Permissions" to modify access permissions

Troubleshooting Upload Issues

File Manager Tips and Tricks

• Keyboard shortcuts: Use Ctrl+A to select all files, Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V to paste
• Search function: Use the "Search" button to find specific files in your account
• View file details: Click "Show Details" for information about file size, type, and modification date
• Preview files: Many file types can be previewed directly in File Manager by clicking "View"
• Code editor: The built-in code editor includes syntax highlighting for HTML, CSS, and other formats
• Favorites: Bookmark frequently accessed directories by adding them to favorites

If you need assistance with uploading or managing files, please contact our support team.