Box Developer Documentation

Create a template File Request

Guides File Requests Create a template File Request
Edit this page

Create a template File Request

Currently, the API only allows the creation of new file requests by copying an existing file request associated to another folder. Please check our below guide on creating a template folder with a template file request.

1. Template folder

First off, create a template folder that you can associate the template file request to. This can be any folder really, but we recommend using a folder that is only used for this purpose.

A folder can be created through the Box web or mobile interface, or through the POST /folders API.

When using server-side JWT authentication, we recommend creating folder that is owned by the application's Service Account. This way, the folder can't be accidentally deleted by a regular Box user.

2. Template file request

To create a file request, navigate to the template folder in the web app an d click the 3 dots at the top of the page. Then, select File Request from the menu.

Create a file request

In the next configuration panel, click the Edit button to visit the file request configuration page.

Edit a file request

On the configuration page, you can set configure the title and description, before saving the page.

This page will also have the ID of the file request in the URL. Make a note of the URL as the number at the end is the file request's ID, which you will need when working with the API.

https://*.app.box.com/filerequest/2338423584

If your template folder belongs to a JWT user, you will need to invite a managed Box user to the folder before it can be seen in the web app. Invite yourself to the folder to allow yourself to add a file request to the folder via the app.

3. Using a template

A template file request can be used to create new copies using the POST /file-requests/:id/copy API. With the ID of a new folder in hand, you can copy the existing request, including its title, description and form-configuration to a new folder with one API call.