File upload and processing

Explains how files are uploaded, processed, and managed in Opus 2, including upload parameters, OCR options, supported file types, processing statuses, and performance considerations.

Files can be added to an Opus 2 project from either the Documents page or the Files page. The platform supports batch uploads of up to 2 GB, with a maximum number of files per batch dependent on browser capabilities (typically at least 5,000 files). Uploaded files are ingested, processed, scanned for viruses, converted to PDF where supported, and optionally OCR'd.

Opus 2 supports both simple uploads and more structured, service-based workflows where files may be uploaded and reviewed before being published to project users. Depending on project configuration, users may upload documents or transcripts. Processing continues in the background, and document readiness is communicated through system metadata fields.

Uploading files to a project

1. Navigate to Documents or Files.
2. Click Upload > Upload document or Upload transcript.
3. Drag and drop files (or folders) into the upload window, or browse to select them.
4. Review and configure upload parameters as required.
5. Start the upload.

Files are queued for ingestion and processed automatically.

Upload parameters

The following parameters may be available depending on project configuration.

Batch name Identifier for the upload batch, useful for tracking processing issues.

Publish Determines whether files are immediately published as documents.

• Available only to users with Files page access.
• Otherwise, files are published automatically.

Folder Specifies the destination folder for published documents.

• If no folder is selected, a folder is created under Uploads using the upload date and time.

OCR Choose how Optical Character Recognition (OCR) should be applied during upload:

• None – No OCR processing is performed.
• If required (default) – OCR is applied only when searchable text is not already present in the document. This is the recommended setting in most cases.
• Always – OCR is applied regardless of whether searchable text already exists.

Unpack zip archives Automatically extracts ZIP file contents on upload.

• Password-protected ZIP files generate slipsheets instead.

Extract email attachments When enabled, attachments are automatically extracted from email files (such as .eml and .msg) and uploaded as separate documents alongside the email.

• Leave this selected (recommended) when uploading email files to ensure attachments are available as individual documents.
• Unticking this option uploads email files without extracting their attachments.

Actions (for selected uploads)

• Add tags
• Clear tags
• Remove selected uploads

Further information Free-text notes related to the upload batch.

Duplicate handling Options appear when duplicates are detected:

• Only show duplicates
• Remove duplicates

Uploading without publishing

Files can be kept unpublished for review or validation. Unpublished files are visible only to administrators in the Files area and can be published when ready.

File processing and OCR

OCR adds an invisible text layer to PDFs, enabling text search and annotations. Processing follows a round-robin approach to ensure fair resource allocation across users and uploads. All files are scanned for viruses. If a virus is detected, the file is deleted and the issue is reported.

Supported file types

During ingestion, Opus 2 automatically processes and converts files to PDF where possible to ensure they are accessible within the platform. The conversion covers a broad range of formats; however, there may be isolated cases where a file does not convert as expected. These instances may require support from the Opus 2 team.

Note: The following file types may upload as a native slipsheet on ingestion rather than a PDF:.xlsx, .xls, .xlsm, .xlsb, .xlt, .xltm, .xla, .xlam, .odt, .ods, .odp, .odg, .mpp, .ppt, .pptx, .pptm, .ppts, .ppa, .ppam, .pps, .ppsx, .ppsm, .vsd

If you require a searchable version of any of these documents for Search or AI Focused View, you may need to convert the file to a PDF format before ingestion, or contact Opus 2 Platform Support for further guidance.

Transcripts: .txt, .ptf, .pcf, .mdb, .xmef, .lef

• .lef files can automatically link exhibits.
• .mdb supports synchronised media (.mpg, .mp4 preferred).

Media: .mp3, .ogg, .wav, .mp4, .mpg, .mpeg, .webm

Performance considerations

Processing status and results

File and document processing status is visible via the Status metadata field. Common statuses include:

• Queued – Awaiting the start of processing
• In progress – Processing has started
• Available – Processing completed; document is ready
• Slipsheet – Generated due to an unsupported format or password-protected file
• Processing error – Processing was interrupted
• Virus detected – File has been flagged and deleted
• Unreadable / corrupted – File recognised but unable to be opened
• Not received – File was not located
• Upload error – An error occurred during upload

Detailed processing data is also available on the Files page, including processing status, processing result, processing completion time, and published flag.

Failed files (except those marked Not received) can be reprocessed via Actions → Reprocess files.

Upload history

Previous uploads can be reviewed via Project → Upload history. Filters allow results by batch name, uploader, dates, file counts, errors, and completion status. Selecting a batch displays summary and file-level details.

Plan large uploads carefully by selecting appropriate OCR and publishing options. Use batch names and upload history to track processing, and review status indicators to confirm documents are ready for use.

Related links

• Uploading documents to a project
• Downloading documents and files

Related documentation

Opus 2 has help information accessible within the application; click the question mark and then select Documentation in the upper-right area of the platform. You can also access the documentation at: Opus 2 Support.

How to contact us

To contact us about the documentation, or if you have any other questions or issues about Opus 2 solutions, contact Opus 2 Platform Support by emailing Opus 2 Platform Support.