How to Programmatically File upload from Custom Plugin in WordPress

It easier to implement file uploading programmatically on the custom WordPress plugin using wp_handle_upload() method.

After successfully upload this returns the file path which you can use to store in the MySQL database table or display on the page.

In this tutorial, I create a simple plugin to demonstrate file upload in WordPress.

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Contents

1. Create Directory and Files
2. customplugin.php
3. uploadfile.php
4. Conclusion

 

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1. Create Directory and Files

Create two PHP files and img directory where stored logo.png file.

• customplugin.php – Define plugin details and menu.
• uploadfile.php – Create a <form > and upload file on submit.

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2. customplugin.php

Define plugin information between /* */.

Create customplugin_menu() function to add menu and uploadfile() for include uploadfile.php.

Completed Code

<?php
/*
  Plugin Name: Custom plugin
  Plugin URI: https://makitweb.com
  description: A simple custom plugin to demonstrate file upload
  Version: 1.0.0
  Author: Yogesh Singh
  Author URI: https://makitweb.com/about
*/

// Add menu
function customplugin_menu() {

  add_menu_page("Custom Plugin", "Custom Plugin","manage_options", "myplugin", "uploadfile",plugins_url('/customplugin/img/icon.png'));
  add_submenu_page("myplugin","Upload file", "Upload file","manage_options", "uploadfile", "uploadfile");
 
}

add_action("admin_menu", "customplugin_menu");

function uploadfile(){
  include "uploadfile.php";
}

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3. uploadfile.php

Create a <form > which has file element and submit button.

On <form > submit check file is selected or not. If selected then assign $_FILES['file'] to $uploadedfile and array('test_form'=>false) to $upload_overrides variable.

Use this variables in wp_handle_upload() method.

If file successfully uploaded then read file path $movefile['url'] and print on the screen otherwise display error $movefile['error'].

Completed Code

<?php

// Upload file
if(isset($_POST['but_submit'])){

  if($_FILES['file']['name'] != ''){
    $uploadedfile = $_FILES['file'];
    $upload_overrides = array( 'test_form' => false );

    $movefile = wp_handle_upload( $uploadedfile, $upload_overrides );
    $imageurl = "";
    if ( $movefile && ! isset( $movefile['error'] ) ) {
       $imageurl = $movefile['url'];
       echo "url : ".$imageurl;
    } else {
       echo $movefile['error'];
    }
  }
 
}

?>
<h1>Upload File</h1>

<!-- Form -->
<form method='post' action='' name='myform' enctype='multipart/form-data'>
  <table>
    <tr>
      <td>Upload file</td>
      <td><input type='file' name='file'></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>&nbsp;</td>
      <td><input type='submit' name='but_submit' value='Submit'></td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</form>

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4. Conclusion

I hope this tutorial, helps you to add file upload in your plugin. The uploaded file will be stored in wp-content/uploads directory.

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