File system repository

The file system repository allows users within Moodle to access files which have been uploaded (e.g. via FTP) into designated folders on the server. A file system repository may be available site wide for everyone; within an individual course or for an individual user.(However - see this tracker entry regarding course and individual repositories)

This must be done by a systems admin who has write permissions to the server directories.

New feature
in Moodle 4.5! When a file from the file system repository is re-used elsewhere on Moodle, the teacher has the option to make a copy (a new, unconnected version) or to create a shortcut or alias. See Working with files for more details.

Creating folders for your file system repositories

• Find the moodledata folder on the server
• Inside it, create a folder called "repository"
• Inside that folder, create as many folders as you need, named appropriately.

• Copy into the appropriate folder the files you want (using FTP, SFTP, shared folder etc.). (The folders can hold all types of files)

Enabling the File System repository plugin

• Go to Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Repositories > Manage Repositories;
• Select from the drop down next to File sytem "Enabled and visible"

Setting up a site-wide file system repository

• Once the repository is enabled as above, click on the "Settings" link to the right.
• Scroll down to Repositories instances of the site
• Click Create a repository instance

• Give it a name and (if there are several folders on the server) choose from the dropdown the one you want. Click save

• It will now be available in the file picker in all courses.

NOTE: Just repeat the process to get more than one site wide file system repository

Setting up a repository inside a course

NOTE: A regular user needs to have been given permission to do this by admin (MORE DETAILS SOON)

• Go to the desired course and click on “repositories” in the administration block
• Scroll down and click "Create File System instance"

• Follow the same process as here

Setting up an individual file system repository instance

NOTE: A regular user needs to have been given permission to do this by admin (MORE DETAILS SOON)

• In the navigation block, click on “my profile”
• Click on “repositories”
• Scroll down and click “create File System instance”
• Follow the same process as here
• This will create a personal file system repository connecting just you to a folder on the server.

Using it

If you try to add a file in Moodle, then the File Picker should show you your new file system repository, and you should be able to browse it and select files to use.

Note that file types are respected (based on file extensions), so if you are adding an image in the editor, then you won't see Office docs (for example) appear in the File Picker.

Repository capabilities

There is just one capability, View file system repository, which is allowed for the default authenticated user role.

See also

• File system repository FAQ
• Overview of Repositories
• FTP files into Moodle 2.0 with the repository API article from somerandomthoughts.com including screencast