---
title: 'Uploading your first file'
description: 'How to upload your first file to MediaLab from your browser and what happens to it after the upload completes.'
url: https://www.medialab.co/support/onboarding/getting-started/upload-first-file
---

# Uploading your first file

Uploading media is the first step to working in MediaLab. Files can be uploaded directly from your browser and are automatically prepared for secure storage, playback, and sharing.

### Steps to Upload

- Log in to your MediaLab environment.
- Navigate to the folder where you want to store your file.
- Click Upload in the top menu or drag and drop files directly into the folder view.
- Select the file(s) from your computer.
- MediaLab will start the upload immediately and show progress in the upload bar.

### What Happens After Upload

- _Transcoding_ – Videos are automatically converted into web-optimized preview formats for smooth playback.
- _Preview Generation_ – Images, audio, and documents receive preview versions so they can be viewed online without downloading.
- _Metadata Extraction_ – Technical metadata (e.g., EXIF for images, ID-3 tags for audio) is automatically added.

### Supported File Types

MediaLab supports video, audio, images, and documents for online playback. Other file types (e.g., ZIP, executables) can still be uploaded and shared, but recipients must download them to view.

**Note:** File size is not limited — MediaLab can handle files of 200 GB+ using either the browser uploader or advanced methods like FTP and Pull profiles.