Configure org-wide preferences to control how your users upload, share, and scan files in Salesforce. Customize page layouts to add the Files related list and modify file detail pages.
Most org-wide Files preferences live in . From Setup, enter Salesforce Files in the Quick Find box, select Salesforce Files, then open General Settings.
This table summarizes key preferences on the General Settings page and where to read more.
| Preference | Description | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded to the Attachments related list on records are uploaded as Salesforce Files, not as attachments | In Salesforce Classic, controls whether uploads from Notes & Attachments become Salesforce Files or attachments. When enabled, users see Upload Files instead of Attach File on the related list. | Attach Files to Records |
| Set file access to Set by Record for files attached to records | Files attached to records inherit the record’s sharing settings. Users who can edit the record can also collaborate on the associated files; read-only record access maps to viewer access. | Set File Sharing to Inherit Record Permissions |
| Skip triggers execution when deploying asset files and Skip triggers execution and validation rules on asset files | Reduces trigger and validation activity when deploying asset files, which helps avoid errors while installing or updating managed packages that include asset files. | Enable Salesforce Files Settings For Managed Packages |
| Display alternative file previews | Controls whether Salesforce can use an alternate preview path when standard file previews are unavailable or low quality. |
Note Beginning in Summer ’26, Chatter is turned off by default in
all new orgs. For any features in these orgs that require access to Chatter functionality or
the Chatter APIs, turn on Chatter by going to and selecting Enable. For details, see Chatter Is Turned Off by Default in New
Orgs Beginning in Summer ’26.
Go to Object Manager to customize layouts and file detail pages. To learn more:
- Add the Files Related List to Page Layouts
- Customize the Files Detail Page
- Add File Privacy on Records to Edit File Details Layout
- Add the Files Related List to Page Layouts
Customize page layouts to include the Files related list. With the Files related list, users can add files to a record and see a list of files associated with the record. - Customize the Files Detail Page
In Lightning Experience, you can customize the fields and layout of the Files detail page. Use record types to customize the layouts of different record types, and tailor the data you capture based on the file type. Choose from standard fields to show when the file was last updated, file size, file type, and more. Create custom fields and buttons to track metadata that’s specific to your business, to use in validation rules, and to provide data for searches and reports. Use record types to customize the page layouts of different file record types. - Prevent Users from Attaching Salesforce Files
Use permission sets to prevent users from attaching Salesforce Files to posts, records, and other objects. - Add File Privacy on Records to Edit File Details Layout
Add the File Privacy on Records option to the Edit File Details layout to let file owners control the visibility of files attached to records. - Set File Sharing to Inherit Record Permissions
Set the default sharing permissions on files that are attached to records so that they inherit the sharing settings of the record. When enabled, a user who can edit a record can also edit the files on that record. This setting applies to files attached to records created manually from the Files related list and files attached in the record’s Chatter feed. - Set Up Users to Query Salesforce Files
Control access to content files and objects via API queries with the Query All Files and Query All Non Vetoed Files user permissions. To grant users access to content files and objects, create a permission set with user permissions and assign it to users. - Configure File Upload and Download Security Settings
To provide more security, control the way some file types are handled during upload and download. - Regenerate a File Preview
If a file preview is of poor quality, you can try to regenerate the preview. Available for Salesforce Files and CRM content documents that can be previewed. - Salesforce Files Storage Allocations
Your organization-wide file storage allocation. - Asset Files
Asset files are packageable versions of Salesforce files that are used for branding and design purposes in your org or Experience Cloud site. Asset files can be used for headers and logo images. They can also be referenced by components. You don’t need to create asset files for regular, collaborative use of Salesforce Files. - Salesforce Files: What’s Different or Not Available in the Salesforce Mobile App
Check out the differences between the desktop version and the mobile version of Salesforce Files.