Removing Files from FileList in Drag-and-Drop Uploads

When creating a drag-and-drop upload application using HTML5, you may encounter a scenario where you need to remove certain files from the FileList. However, before attempting to solve this problem, it's crucial to understand that the FileList in HTMLInputElement is readonly, as stated in the File API Working Draft.

Deleting Entire FileList

While you cannot remove individual files from the FileList, there is an alternative solution. You can erase the entire FileList by setting the value property of the input object to an empty string:

document.getElementById('multifile').value = "";

Precautions

However, you should exercise caution when using this approach. Since the entire FileList is deleted, all the files that were previously selected will be removed. Therefore, it's essential to consider the user experience and provide confirmation or a backup mechanism before deleting the FileList.

Custom File Handling

If you prefer to have more control over file handling and avoid deleting the entire FileList, you can implement custom checks within the code that interacts with the FileList. However, this may require more coding and validation.

Additional Resources

For further guidance, consider reading the HTML 5 Working Draft, which delves into Common input element APIs. Additionally, the article "Using files from web applications" provides valuable insights into working with files in web applications.