One of the coolest features of WordPress 2.5 is the ability to upload multiple files, as in images, at once as opposed to one at a time. However, judging by the questions in the WordPress Support Forums and comments I've seen on various blogs there seems to be some confusion as to how to do it. It's very simple actually. I thought I would provide a few screen captures illustrating the process followed by a short video presentation.
While you're in the Write Post interface click the "Add Media" button.
You will be taken to this window where you click the "Choose files to upload" button.
At this screen a window will open allowing you to choose what files you wish to upload from your computer. This is the step that I think is confusing people for there really is no clear explanation what to do. To select multiple files simply drag your mouse over whatever images you want to upload OR while holding the Ctrl key on your PC left click each image individually.
As each image uploads you'll see a message that says "crunching". Once this is complete click the "Gallery" tab at the top.
After clicking the "Gallery" tab you will see the window above. Click the "Insert gallery into post" button.
Once you have completed these steps you will be returned to the Write Post window. Note the "gallery" tag that has been inserted into your post. Simply click the "Publish" button and you're done.
And here is your Gallery on your published page. You also have the option of including captions and descriptions to your images. (which I have not done in this example) In addition to the above screen captures I have also included a short video presentation below which I think should nicely complement the tutorial.
Editor's Note: The video screencast has been updated for WordPress 3.1.2 and is now in HD.
Post Updated: 09 May 2011
If you prefer to view it directly on YouTube click here.
About Len Kutchma
Not bad either
Nice tricks and hacks on WordPress as well. Guess, it's about time for me to learn about WordPress from the guru like you.
I'm hardly a guru - there are many much more knowledgeable than I am but I'm learning. If you want to get into WordPress I can't encourage you enough. You can pick up a domain for $10/year and shared hosting is relatively cheap these days. You can get a decent package for $10/month or less. Hell, I spend more than that on coffee.
hi, i dont see the 'insert gallery into post' after i uploaded the image. pls help!!!
Hi Wen,
I really don't like to respond to support requests on my blog as stated on my About page. These type of questions are better reserved for the WP Support Forum.
The only thing I can think of is some of the necessary files were not properly uploaded. I don't know if you're using Internet Explorer but there is a known issue regarding that. You can read more on that at the WP Support Forum here.
Thanks so much for that, I'd been searching around to see how to upload multiple images at once. It worked fine, but being new to WP, how the heck does one do any mods to the gallery?? I looked at the HTML version in the Write menu, and all it says is [gallery].
I expected to see a bunch of detailed code in HTML view. Weird, and a bit disconcerting to someone who's used to seeing what's going on behind the scenes.
Vic
Hi Vic,
Yes WordPress uses the short tag [gallery] for its gallery feature. I'm not actually sure if it can be customized in any way as I've not played with it outside of uploading a few images to test it out.
Hi,
this part doesn't work for me -
"To select multiple files simply drag your mouse over whatever images you want to upload OR while holding the Ctrl key on your PC left click each image individually."
I need to upload images one by one.
Do you have any idea why is that?
Hi Sylwia,
This sounds like more of a computer/OS problem than a WordPress problem. Under Windows you should be able to select multiple files of anything by:
1. left clicking and holding down the button while dragging the mouse over the files or
2. holding down the Ctrl button while left clicking individual files
Hi,
thanks for fast reply!
You are right - in general, I can do the multiple select in Windows while browsing folders. The only time when I cannot do this is while wordpress uploading :-/ That's why it's bothering me...
Does this occur when using the flash-based uploader or the regular browser uploader?
Both
I've read somewhere that it may be because of flash. I need to uninstall flash 10 and install flash 9. This should work. I let you all know if this was the case.