One of the simplest but most exciting features in SharePoint 2013 is the ability to drag and drop files into document libraries directly in the web browser. That means the user can drag a file off of his or her desktop and literally drag and drop it onto the browser and the file will upload. Here is what it looks like when you have the capability of drag and drop.
Note that it says you can “drag files here”. Here is what it looks like when you drag multiple files.
While the files are copying, you’ll see a screen like this.
This new feature is going to be one of the single most drivers of end user adoption hands-down. Now, you may be thinking…”That’s great, but I am sure it only works in IE.” If you thought that, you would be thinking wrong. I have tested it in a variety of browsers and have found that it has worked in every test I did with the exception of Internet Explorer 8 running on Windows Server 2008 R2.
Here’s what it looks like in Google Chrome.
I’ve even tried it in Safari on Mac OS X and it works there too. I would have included a screenshot of this but it was way too much effort to take it and get it back to my laptop. :)
I mentioned, it didn’t work for me in Internet Explorer 8 on Windows Server 2008 R2. This could be because of the server OS, because of IE8, or because I don’t have Office installed. That will require a bit more research. Here is what it looks like when drag an drop is not available.
Note, that “or drag files here” is not listed.
Now you might be wondering about how this works when content types with required fields are in place. Well, honestly, it could be handled better. The file is left checked out and it doesn’t really instruct the user to edit the properties and check the document in.
So for such a simple new feature, it is really quite exciting. I really think it will enhance productivity greatly. All screenshots were taken from SharePoint Online Preview.