Fix Notion ‘File Cannot Be Uploaded’ on Specific Cloud Storage Path

When you try to upload a file to Notion from a specific cloud storage folder like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, you may see the error “File Cannot Be Uploaded.” This error occurs because Notion’s upload system relies on a direct file URL rather than a shared folder link or a path that requires authentication. This article explains why this error happens specifically with cloud storage paths and provides three methods to resolve it so you can attach your files successfully.

Why Notion Rejects a Cloud Storage Folder Path

Notion’s file upload system expects a direct, publicly accessible file URL or a local file from your computer. When you paste a cloud storage folder link—such as a Google Drive shared folder URL or a OneDrive folder path—Notion tries to access that URL as a file. Cloud storage folders return an HTML page, not the raw file data. This mismatch causes the upload process to fail with the “File Cannot Be Uploaded” message.

Additionally, many cloud storage services require authentication to view files. Even if you share a folder with “Anyone with the link,” the folder page itself often triggers a login prompt before showing the file list. Notion cannot handle these authentication redirects during upload. The result is a broken upload attempt.

Another factor is file size limits. Notion allows uploads up to 5 MB on the Free plan and 5 GB on Plus, Business, and Enterprise plans. If the file inside the cloud folder exceeds these limits, the upload fails regardless of the path method. However, the error message for size limits typically says “File is too large,” not “File Cannot Be Uploaded.” The specific error you see points to a path or access issue.

Methods to Upload Files From Cloud Storage to Notion

These three methods resolve the upload error by changing how you provide the file to Notion. Use the method that matches your workflow and file type.

Method 1: Download the File to Local Storage Then Upload

This is the simplest fix. Instead of pasting a cloud folder link, download the file to your computer, then upload it directly to Notion.

1. Open the cloud storage folder
   Go to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or your preferred service. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to upload.
2. Download the file to your device
   Right-click the file and select Download or the equivalent option. Wait for the download to finish. The file will be saved to your local Downloads folder or a location you choose.
3. Open Notion and navigate to the page
   Go to the Notion page where you want to attach the file. Click into the content area to place your cursor.
4. Upload the local file
   Press Ctrl+V on Windows or Cmd+V on Mac to paste the file directly from your clipboard. Alternatively, drag the downloaded file from your file explorer into the Notion page. Notion will upload the file and display it as an attachment or preview, depending on the file type.

Method 2: Generate a Direct Download Link From Cloud Storage

If you prefer to keep the file in the cloud, create a direct download link that points to the raw file, not the folder page. Notion can process this link correctly.

1. Get the shareable link for the file
   In your cloud storage service, right-click the file (not the folder) and select Get link or Share. Ensure the link is set to “Anyone with the link can view” or similar public access. Copy the link.
2. Modify the link for direct download
   Each service has a different format. For Google Drive, replace the view parameter with download. For example, change https://drive.google.com/file/d/ABC123/view to https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=ABC123. For Dropbox, replace ?dl=0 with ?dl=1 in the share link. For OneDrive, append ?download=1 to the share link. Use a search engine to find the exact syntax for your service.
3. Paste the modified link into Notion
   In your Notion page, type /embed and press Enter. Paste the modified direct download link into the URL field. Notion will fetch the file and embed it as a preview or attachment.
4. Test the embed
   After pasting, Notion should display the file content or a download button. If you see an error, double-check that the link is publicly accessible and correctly formatted.

Method 3: Use Notion’s Embed Block for Supported File Types

Notion’s embed block can display files from cloud storage without uploading them to Notion’s servers. This method works best for PDFs, images, videos, and audio files.

1. Copy the public share link of the file
   As in Method 2, get a public share link for the file from your cloud storage. Ensure the link is set to “Anyone with the link can view.”
2. Open the embed block in Notion
   On the Notion page, type /embed and press Enter. A URL field appears.
3. Paste the share link
   Paste the link directly into the URL field without modifying it. Notion will try to render the file. For PDFs, images, and videos, Notion often displays an inline preview. For other file types like Word documents or spreadsheets, Notion may show a download button instead of a preview.
4. Adjust the embed size
   If the preview appears too small or too large, click the embed block and drag the corner handles to resize it. This does not affect the file itself.

If Notion Still Rejects the File After These Fixes

File size exceeds Notion’s upload limit

Check your Notion plan’s file size limit. Free plan: 5 MB per file. Plus, Business, and Enterprise: 5 GB per file. If the file is larger, compress it using a tool like 7-Zip or use a third-party service like WeTransfer and paste the download link into Notion using the embed method.

File type is not supported by Notion

Notion supports common file types: images (JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG), documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), videos (MP4, MOV), and audio (MP3, WAV). Unsupported types like executable files (.exe) or disk images (.dmg) cannot be uploaded. Convert the file to a supported format before uploading.

Cloud storage link requires login despite public sharing

Some cloud services add a login wall even for public links. Test the link in an incognito browser window. If it prompts for login, the link is not truly public. Change the sharing settings to “Anyone with the link” and ensure the link is not restricted to your organization.

Upload Methods Compared: Local, Direct Link, and Embed

Item	Local Upload	Direct Download Link	Embed Block
Requires file download	Yes	No	No
Works for all file types	Yes	Yes	No (only supported embed types)
File stored in Notion servers	Yes	Yes (if uploaded via link)	No (references original URL)
Requires link modification	No	Yes	No
Best for	Quick one-time uploads	Keeping file in cloud	Embedded previews

You can now upload files from any cloud storage folder to Notion without seeing the “File Cannot Be Uploaded” error. Start by downloading the file to your local device for the most reliable method. If you prefer to keep files in the cloud, use a direct download link or the embed block. For large files, always check your plan’s size limit and compress the file if needed.