Viewing File Attachments in the Mobile App
When reviewing certain forms in the SchoolFront mobile app—such as mileage claims, direct deposit setups, or name change requests—you will often see attached supporting documents (e.g., receipts, voided checks, or legal certificates).
Because these files frequently contain sensitive or private information, the mobile app handles them with specific security measures to protect data privacy.
How Files Display in the Mobile App
The app handles attachments differently depending on whether the file is classified as Standard or Private.
Public Files
Public files do not have restricted security classifications.
How they open: The mobile app passes these files directly to your mobile device to open. Depending on your specific device, operating system, and settings, the file will either download to your device or open automatically in a compatible rendering application.
Private Files
Private files contain highly sensitive information and require stricter security controls. To prevent this data from being saved directly to your personal mobile device, they are restricted based on file type.
Supported Files (Images and PDFs): If the private file is an image or a PDF, it will open directly inside a secure viewing window (an iframe) within the SchoolFront app. This allows you to review the document without downloading it to your device's local storage.
Unsupported Files: If the private file is a format that cannot be rendered securely within the app window (such as Excel spreadsheets or Word documents), it will not open or download. Instead, you will receive a message stating that the file can only be viewed from the SchoolFront web (desktop) application.
What Should You Do If You Cannot View a File?
If you receive a message restricting access to a private file on your mobile device:
Log in to the Desktop App: Open a web browser on a computer and log into your SchoolFront account.
Locate the Form: Navigate to the form within the web application.
Review the File: You will be able to safely view and access the attachment within the desktop environment.