The File Types page manages both image types and file types in a unified interface, providing flexible media classification for your product catalog. This system allows you to define how different file formats are handled and presented throughout Norce Commerce.
File types in Norce serve multiple purposes:
- Image management: Define how image formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF) are processed and displayed
- File classification: Set up handling for documents, videos, and other media files
- Display control: Determine whether files are presented as images or downloadable blobs
- External integration: Support for embedded content and external links
Norce includes several pre-configured file types that cover common use cases, for example:
- JPEG: Standard web image format
- PNG: High-quality images with transparency support
- GIF: Animated and simple graphics
- PDF: Document files
- MP4: Video files
- Embedded: External links (not uploaded files)
These built-in types serve as the foundation for creating custom file types tailored to your specific needs.
To create a new file type:
- Name: Display name for the file type
- Code: Unique identifier for the file type
- Base Type: Select from available built-in types
- Description: Optional explanatory text
- Navigate to the File Types page
- Click to create a new type
- Set the name and unique code
- Select one of the built-in base types
- Add a description if needed
- Configure language translations using the flag icons
- Save your changes
File types support multiple languages:
- Use the flag icons in the upper right to switch between cultures
- Translate names and descriptions for each language
- Maintain consistent file type identification across markets
The file types list provides several management options:
- Click the remove button to delete a file type
- Important: Deletion is immediate and permanent, if there are any files already using the type you will get a warning.
- No recycle bin or restoration option available, you need to create the type again.
- Drag and drop types to reorder them
- Save the sort order when finished
- This order affects both admin tool display and API responses
While the admin tool separates file and image types into different tabs for better organization, the underlying system treats them as a unified list:
- Admin tool: Displays separate tabs for files and images
- APIs: Return all types in a single, sorted list
- Sort order: What you set in the file types listing is the actual order for API responses
File types appear automatically in:
- Image tabs on product pages
- File tabs on product pages
- Upload dialogs and file selection interfaces
- File types are included as possible columns in exports.
- Custom types can be used in bulk import operations
- Maintains consistency between manual and batch operations
Files assigned to image-based types are:
- Displayed as images in the front-end
- Processed through image optimization pipelines
- Available for thumbnail generation
Files assigned to non-image types are:
- Treated as downloadable files
- Not processed as images
- Presented as file links or download buttons
The embedded type handles:
- External links rather than uploaded files
- Integration with third-party content
- References to external media sources
- Use clear, descriptive names
- Keep codes simple and consistent
- Ensure translations are accurate across languages
- Group related file types logically
- Document the purpose of custom types for team reference
If you need file format support that isn't covered by the built-in types:
- Contact Norce support for assistance
- Provide details about your specific requirements
- New base types may be added to support your use case