Guide: Send an image, video or file
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/send-an-image-video-or-file
Topic: Flow steps
Time: about 2 minutes
Who can do it: Owner, Administrator or Manager
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox
Result when done: A picture, video, PDF or audio file sent in the chat.
Context: Image, video or file sends one file from your library as its own message: the menu as a picture, a short video, the guide as a PDF, a voice note. The builder checks the file against what Meta accepts on that platform before you save.

Before you start:
1. Instagram takes PNG or JPEG images up to 8 MB, and PDF files only.
2. Video, audio and files up to 25 MB.
3. It needs an open chat: in a comment flow it goes after the private reply's tap.

Steps:
Step 1 of 3: Add Image, video or file to your flow.
Where: Open the flow (Automation, then the flow's row). In the Steps panel on the left, under Send, drag Image, video or file onto the canvas, or select the step it should follow and click Image, video or file. On a phone: Add step at the top left of the canvas, then Image, video or file under Send.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox (Open the app)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-palette.en.webp (The Steps panel: Image, video or file, under Send.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-palette-phone.en.webp (On a phone, Add step lists the same steps: Image, video or file, under Send.)
You should see: The Image, video or file card is on the canvas and its settings panel is open (a sheet on a phone).

Step 2 of 3: Choose what to send.
Where: Panel, What to send: Image or video, PDF, or Audio.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-media.en.webp (What to send: image or video, PDF, audio.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-media-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The panel asks for the file.

Step 3 of 3: Pick the file.
Where: Pick one from your library or upload a new one. A file Meta would refuse (a GIF or WebP image or a .docx on Instagram, anything over the size) is named with the reason before you save.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-media.en.webp (The chosen file, with its name; the × takes it out.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-media-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The card no longer asks you to choose a file.

If something is off:
Problem: Instagram sends PNG and JPEG images only
Fix: Save the picture as PNG or JPEG and pick it again.
Problem: Instagram sends PDF files only
Fix: Turn the document into a PDF, or send a link to it in a Message.
Problem: This file is too big to send
Fix: Images go up to 8 MB on Instagram; video, audio and files up to 25 MB.

Common questions:
Question: Can one step send several images at once?
Answer: No. The step sends one file. Add another step for the next one, or use Cards for several pictures side by side.
Question: Can I send a GIF on Instagram?
Answer: No. The builder refuses GIF images on Instagram; use PNG, JPEG or a short video.

Related guides:
- Send a message with buttons and quick replies: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/send-a-message-with-buttons-and-quick-replies
- Send cards: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/send-cards
- Add, connect and remove steps: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-builder/add-connect-and-remove-steps

Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/send-an-image-video-or-file.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt