Uploaded Document Disappear

Question

When I upload my files, they disappear!!! 
 
 Here is the code: 
 a!fileUploadField(
 label: "Please upload any pictures, brochures or other documents describing the Project",
 labelPosition: "ABOVE",
 target: cons!PMSO_ApplicationDocuments,
 value: ri!volunteerDocuments,
 saveInto: ri!volunteerDocuments,
 showWhen: if(
 a!isNullOrEmpty(
 local!applicationDocSubmissionSuccessful
 ),
 true,
 not(
 local!applicationDocSubmissionSuccessful
 )
 ),
 validations: {}
 ), 
 I checked to make sure that the accounts have Editor access to the folder and the Constant is pointing to the correct folder. 
 The Rule Input, volunteerDocuments never gets updated. 
 The funny thing is that this used to work. I tested it many times, and now it doesn't work. The only change to the system was the security patches that were installed.

Stefan Helzle · Answer

Depending on where you use this interface, you have to make sure that there is a correct mapping to process variables, when using at as a start form, or a mapping to AC variables when using it in a user input task.

Mike Schmitt · Answer

Echoing Stefan's answer, but simplifying somewhat: if you're seeing this error in a live task, 99% of the time it means you haven't assigned your form inputs (the interface's rule inputs) into an ACP variable, which is the only way to get user changes made on a form to populate when you want them to be passed back out into the process (like you will for uploaded files). 
 In the interface editor it will work because you have the component set to save into the RI. But in a running process, the form wants to save from the component, to the RI, then to the ACP (aka "input variable" aka "ac!variable" etc), and when it doesn't get saved into an ACP, it doesn't save anywhere, then the rule input value resolves back to a blank one, thus the component resolves back to being blank. This caveat is sadly just one you need to learn from experience, but after you know about it, it's pretty simple to handle luckily.

Mike Schmitt · Answer

yeah, Rule Inputs in Portal forms are a more recent addition, and they're for input only, not output (as you're trying to do here). Again echoing Stefan's advice to merely use local variables - you can "submitUploadedFiles()" directly from a local variable (though only in portals and sites).

Mike Schmitt · Answer

thanks for that newer video. I have to admit I'm a little stumped. I had built myself a small file upload field demo in my CE portal back when we could still do personal CEs, and I never ran into this particular issue. 
 A few more things you could verify, just in case: 
 
 does the behavior track across all file types you try? 
 all file sizes, from very small to large? 
 does the behavior stay the same if you set the file upload field to a "max selections" value of 1? 
 have you ensured the user/service account with authorization to the Portal also has authorization to the upload target folder? 
 
 Also: as a side note, would you be wiliing to share the name of the utility you used for your video screenshot? I love my still screenshotting tool (greenshot), particularly because it's quick and lightweight (and i was able to install it on my company laptop in spite of otherwise-draconian level lockdowns on software), but it ONLY does still images and i am at a loss whenever i need to produce a video snippet like you've done here.