How to offer a protected file and download file on submit

Use Formidable Forms Pro to protect your gated content file downloads and offer a download file on submit. Gated content is content that can only be accessed by users who submit your form. This ensures that only people who have paid for the content (via your form) or submitted the required form to access the content (such as a lead generation form) can access the content. Formidable will protect your content so it can't be illicitly shared with others.

Step 1: Create a Form to Protect the Files

1. Create a new Form; name it "Protected Files."
2. Next, add two fields; the first will be Single Line Text field and name it File Name. Now, make this field required and unique.
   
3. Second, add a File Upload field.
   
4. Next, click Create to save the form. When the form settings load, check the box that says Protect all files uploaded in this form. Lastly, click Update to save the form settings.
   

Step 2: Create a View to Display the Protected Files

5. Create a new View; name it "Display Protected File."
6. Next, set the View Basic Settings to show a Single Entry.
7. In the Content Box, enter the following HTML, where [x] is the Field ID of the File Upload field, and [y] is the Field ID of the File Name field:

    <a href="[x]">Open [y]</a>

8. Now, add a filter to the Advanced Settings of the View that says:
   • File Name equal to [get param=filename default=0]

   

9. Next, save the View.

Step 3: Display the download file after form submission

10. Go to your existing form, or create a new one. Once in the form, go to the Form Settings.
11. Now, set the Form to Show a Message on submit.
12. Display the View in the form success message. The View shortcode should look like this:

    [display-frm-data id=123 filename="Test File"]

    • 123 is the ID of your View
    • Test File is the name you put in the File Name field when you submitted the form, and
13. Finally, update your form and you are done!