Your LimeSurvey version: [Version 3.27.33]
LimeSurvey hosting:
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I would like to have participants share audio files with us at the same time they answer a survey in LimeSurvey. I know that there's a question type called "File upload" and that I can find the uploaded files under "Responses". However, is it possible for the survey owner (me) to identify exactly where the files are stored? For instance, in order to comply with our research ethics protocol, we would like to completely remove the files from storage once the survey expires.

And if such storage is not accessible to the survey owner, is it possible to somehow present a directory to an external data storage (e.g., Dropbox) and allow participants to upload files directly to it?

Thank you very much in advance.

Hi,

I can find the uploaded files under "Responses". 

Yes, in the responses table you find the uploaded file with the original filename.
 

However, is it possible for the survey owner (me) to identify exactly where the files are stored?

Where?
Now you find this file in directory
\upload\surveys\SURVEYID\files
 

If you want to identify them:
To do this you have to have access to the database.
If you have a look at the table "lime_survey_SURVEYID" you see in this field many informations:

• title
• comment
• size
• name
• extension

and the "filename".
This is the name the file is stored internally.
 

we would like to completely remove the files from storage once the survey expires.

So you only have to delete all "fu_" files from this directory.


By the way: "fu" is "file upload"

Joffm

Hi Joffm,

Thank you very much indeed for your response.
I'll take some time to explore the database and then the directory.

I truly appreciate your great support!

Have a wonderful week.