The ownCloud Web Interface

Introduction

This document will discuss the ownCloud web interface from a user’s perspective. It will detail how to log into ownCloud, upload files, create files and folders, as well as describe the Personal Page settings. When possible, it will reference other more detailed documents on specific functionality.

Initial Log In

The ownCloud initial login screen is as follows.

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It should be noted, that if the instance of ownCloud is themed differently, there will be a different logo on the screen.

To log into ownCloud, enter the username and password provided by your ownCloud admin. To remain logged into ownCloud under the same credentials, select the checkbox next to Remember.

Upon initial login, the user will most likely see the “Welcome to ownCloud” banner as below.

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This banner provides links to download the desktop sync app (see Desktop Client document), as well as the mobile apps. This banner will appear upon the first login only, provided the admin has not disabled it. To close the banner and start using ownCloud, select the ‘x’ in the upper right corner of the banner.

Main ownCloud screen

Once logged into ownCloud, the main screen will be displayed.

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There are four sections in the main ownCloud screen

  1. This is the apps bar. Any user related apps will be displayed here. In a default enterprise edition of ownCloud, the Files app and the Activity app are listed.
  2. This section will display all data loaded into ownCloud.
  3. The home button brings the user to the home directory. The New button allows the user to create a file or folder, or link, and the upload arrow allows the user to upload a file.
  4. The search box allows the user to search and the user name pull^down can bring the user to the Personal page for personal configurations as well as log the user out.

Adding Data

There are a few ways to add data to the ownCloud instance. Files may be uploaded or text files may be created directly within ownCloud. Folders may also be created directly within the ownCloud web interface.

Creation

To create a file or folder, select the New button in section 3 of the main ownCloud screen.

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Create a text file

Select “Text file” from the menu and enter the desired file name.

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Then press enter.

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Notice the file has been placed in section 2 of the main ownCloud window. Since it is an empty file, the size is “0 Bytes” and it was last modified a few seconds ago.

Create a folder

To create a folder within ownCloud, simply select “Folder” from the menu and enter the desired folder name.

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Then select Enter.

Notice the folder appears in the window.

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Uploading files

There are two methods possible to upload files to the ownCloud web interface.

Drag and Drop

Simply drag and drop one or more files from the client’s Desktop into section 2 of the main ownCloud window. These files will then be uploaded to ownCloud and appear in the data window.

Upload Button

The second method to upload a file to ownCloud is to select the upload arrow on the top left of the main ownCloud screen. This will being up a File Upload selection box.

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Navigate to the directory containing the desired files and select the file for uploading and press Open. To upload multiple files simultaneously, use either the SHIFT or CTRL key during file selection as appropriate.

Personal Configurations

Each ownCloud user may configure some personal preferences. To make these configurations, navigate to the Personal page. Select the user name and the following menu will appear.

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Select Personal to get to the configuration page.

Configuration options on this page may appear or disappear depending on what the ownCloud admin has configured. The basic configuration parameters are as follows.

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Quota

Below shows the used and remaining space for the user. For information as to how this is calculated, refer to the ownCloud Quota Calculations document.

Password Change

If the user desires to change the password, do so in this section. Enter the current password followed by the new password and select “Change Password”. It should be noted, that when using LDAP authentication, the password is contained within the LDAP and not locally thus this field will not change the password.

Change Display Name

To change the way your name is displayed within ownCloud, enter the desired name under “Full Name”.

Add Email Address

For password recovery and share notifications, it is important for ownCloud to have an email on record. Enter the desired email address under the EMAIL section.

Avatar

ownCloud allows a user to upload an Avatar for their ownCloud instance. This can be done under the “Profile Picture” section of the Personal Page.

To upload a new Avatar, select the “Upload new” button. If the desired avatar exists on the ownCloud file system, select “Select new from Files” and to remove the avatar and return to the default, select “Remove image”

Language

If English is not the user’s native language, they may change the language in this section.

WebDAV

This provides the address to use in order to access a user’s files via WebDav.