---
title: "How to Let Front-End Users Upload Attachments in wpDataTables"
description: "Grant upload permissions to subscribers or other roles"
url: https://help.wpdatatables.com/en/articles/48-how-to-let-front-end-users-upload-attachments-in-wpdatatables
collection: "Technical issues"
updated: 2026-04-28
language: en
---

# How to Let Front-End Users Upload Attachments in wpDataTables

Grant upload permissions to subscribers or other roles

By default, **WordPress only allows file uploads for user roles that have the** `upload_files` **capability**.  
This means that users with limited roles like **Subscribers** will receive an error when trying to upload attachments (e.g., through a front-end uploader), because they lack this permission.

#### Option 1: Enable the Capability Using a Plugin

The easiest way to allow uploads for front-end users is to grant the `upload_files` capability to the appropriate user role. You can do this using the free [User Role Editor plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/user-role-editor/).

1.  Install and activate the plugin.
    
2.  Go to **Users → User Role Editor**.
    
3.  Select the user role (e.g., Subscriber).
    
4.  Find and enable the **upload\_files** capability.
    
5.  Save changes.
    

Once enabled, users with that role will be able to upload files via the front end.

#### Option 2: Grant Permission Dynamically with Custom Code

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can programmatically allow file uploads for all users — or conditionally based on your own logic — using a WordPress hook.

Add the following snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file:

```javascript
            function give_permissions( $allcaps, $cap, $args ) {
                $allcaps['upload_files'] = true;
                return $allcaps;
            }
            add_filter( 'user_has_cap', 'give_permissions', 0, 3 );     
```

This snippet grants the `upload_files` capability to **all users**, regardless of their role.  
You can modify the logic inside the function to limit it to specific users or conditions.

#### Additional Notes:

-   Learn more about [WordPress roles and capabilities](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/#upload_files).
    
-   Be cautious when allowing file uploads, especially for lower-level roles — make sure your site has proper file type restrictions and security measures in place.