The attach pattern is usually part of the create or editing work flow, located at the end of the form. All the attached files should be associated with a certain business object. The app team can specify which types of files are supported.

In general, users can only add/delete attachments in edit mode. After the changes have been saved, users can view the attached files in view mode, but can’t make any changes. This prevents users from accidentally making changes to attachments. It can also be used to give role-based access, as some users may not be allowed to edit.

Anatomy

Edit Mode

In edit mode, the attach pattern consists of an attachment header and list of attached files

Attachment Header

A. Text Label

Text label shows the name of this section. Use “Attachments” as the default label. The label can be customized based on context. For example, in the process of creating an expense report, the attachment section can be labeled as “Receipts”.

B. Counter

This shows the number of attachments

C. Add Button

Tapping the “Add” button triggers the workflow of adding an attachment.

Attachment List

The attachment list shows the basic information of each attached item. Each list item consists of:

A. Thumbnail

Provides a preview image of the attached file when available; otherwise, display the icon for that file type.

B. File Name

A text string displays the file name with file type extension. If the name is longer than the allocated space, truncate it in the middle to keep the file type visible.

C. Delete Icon

Tapping the “Delete” icon deletes the item directly.

View Mode

In view mode, attachments can be displayed in list view or grid view.

Attachment Header

The attachment header in view mode has the same structure as in edit mode, except replacing the “Add” button with view switcher icons.

A. Text Label

Text label shows the name of this section. Use “Attachments” as the default label. The label can be customized based on context. For example, in the process of creating an expense report, the attachment section can be labeled as “Receipts”.

B. Counter

The counter shows the number of attachments

C. View Switcher Icon

This icon allows users to switch between the two type of views. Use the grid view icon when attachments are displayed in list view. Use the list view icon when attachments are displayed in grid view.

List View

In list view, each attached file is displayed as an object cell with:

A. Thumbnail

Provides a preview image of the attached file when available; otherwise, display the icon for that file type.

B. File Name

A text string displays file name with file type extension. If the name is longer than the allocated space, truncate it in the middle to keep the file type visible.

Grid View

In grid view, each attached file is displayed as an image cell:

A. Container

The container defines the size and boundary of each cell. When a preview image is available, fill the container with the image. Otherwise, display the icon of that file type.

B. Text Protection

Text protection is a scrim on top of the background image to enhance the legibility of text.

C. File Name

The file name helps users identify the file. For items with a preview image, reserve one line to display the file name since the image is more helpful in this view. For items without preview image, allow two lines of text to display file.

Behavior and Interaction

To add an attachment, tap on the “Add” button.

On mobile, this triggers a bottom sheet, listing out all the possible ways to add a file supported by this app.

On tablet, a menu is used instead of bottom sheet.

Users select from the menu based on the location or type of file they want to add. The file selection process is powered by Android system’s default features. From here, users would be led to other apps, such as the camera app if they select “Take photo”. The details of this process might differ based on device brand and system version.

After users confirm their selection, they are led back to the page where the add action was triggered. The newly added item is shown at the bottom of the list, and the number of attachments is updated.

Each cell has two touch targets: the “Delete” button, and outside the delete button. Users can directly delete one item by tapping the “Delete” button. Users can view the file by tapping outside the “Delete” button. The preview of the file is not handled inside the SAP Fiori app. It is handled by the Android system. Apps that support this file type would be launched to view the file.

When users have finished adding files and save the changes, the attachment section or the whole page switches to view mode. In general, there is a “Save” button for all objects in the edit/create work flow. In cases where the object is editable by default and changes are auto-saved, the attachment component stays in editing mode all the time.

Based on the floorplan used in the app, the attachment list expands full-width within the content area.

Attachments are displayed in list view by default, users can use the grid view icon to switch to grid view. In certain contexts, the majority of attached files has preview images, such as attached photos, so consider making grid view the default view. No matter what the default view or what view the user is currently looking at, it becomes a list in edit mode.

Resources

Development: AttachmentFormCell

SAP Fiori for iOS: Attachments