> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cohesive.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Files in Cohesive

> Understand where files live, how to reuse them, and when to choose a copy or live reference.

Each file has a home in a Workspace, a Canvas, or a chat. You can reuse a file elsewhere through a live reference or make an independent copy.

Files include uploads, generated documents and images, and files brought in from connected apps. Notes and shapes on a Canvas are separate Canvas objects.

## Add files

Upload from your computer with **Upload files**, drag files onto a Canvas or chat, or drop them into a Workspace folder. Use **Upload folder** to preserve a folder structure.

Common supported types include PDFs, office documents, spreadsheets, CSV, text, Markdown, HTML, images, audio, and video. Preview, editing, and extraction support vary by format. An uploaded Word file or spreadsheet doesn't become a native editor document automatically.

Each file can be up to **100 MB**. A chat message accepts up to **five file attachments**.

## Add a working file to the Workspace

Use **Add to workspace** on a Canvas or chat file when you want it available beyond that conversation or surface.

The file moves to the containing Workspace and keeps its identity, version history, and existing shares. Its previous placement becomes a live reference. In a shared Workspace, this makes the file available through the Workspace's access rules.

<Note>
  Files aren't automatically collected into a shared library merely because you uploaded or generated them in a chat. Choose what to add to the Workspace.
</Note>

## Live reference or copy?

| Choice | What happens | Use it when |
| - | - | - |
| **Add live reference** | The placement points to the original. Changes to the original appear wherever it's referenced. | You want one maintained source across several Canvases. |
| **Add a copy** | Creates a separate file you can edit independently. | You want a starting point that won't change with the source. |

Use **Add from workspace** on the Canvas or in the chat composer to choose a Workspace file. The same-Workspace chooser defaults to a live reference and can remember that preference.

Moving a Canvas or chat file onto another working surface can offer to add it to the Workspace and place a reference, or to make a copy. Cross-Workspace drops offer a copy or an explicitly chosen live reference. Read the dialog before confirming.

## Organize and share

Drag files into Workspace folders or use **Move to**. Moving a live reference doesn't move the original. A file shared with you can be copied into your own work; you can't move it out of its owner's location.

Use [file sharing](/product/collaboration/sharing-files) for access to one file, or [Workspace sharing](/product/collaboration/sharing-workspaces) for continuing shared work.

## Remove a file

Removing a live reference leaves its original in place. Archiving the original affects its references, and archived files have a 14-day restore window. See [Archive and restore](/product/workspace/archive).