Question

Is there any way to open the browse for files dialog box when a <a href> link is clicked using javascript? It should function like a normal browse for files button and give the names/list of files selected in response.

Answer 1

Here is a non-jQuery solution. Note you can’t just use .click() as some browsers do not support it.

<script type="text/javascript">
function performClick(elemId) {
   var elem = document.getElementById(elemId);
   if(elem && document.createEvent) {
      var evt = document.createEvent("MouseEvents");
      evt.initEvent("click", true, false);
      elem.dispatchEvent(evt);
   }
}
</script>
<a href="#" onclick="performClick('theFile');">Open file dialog</a>
<input type="file" id="theFile" />