Preview images before upload

I have a page with four images for the user to select. I want the user to be able to preview each image on the site before upload.

The JavaScript code below works for only one image but I would like it to work for multiple images uploaded via <input type="file">.

What will be the best way to do this?

function readURL(input) {
    if (input.files && input.files[0]) {
        var reader = new FileReader();

        reader.onload = function (e) {
            $('#output').attr('src', e.target.result);
        }

        reader.readAsDataURL(input.files[0]);
    }
}

$("#file-input").change(function () {
    readURL(this);
});

Solution 1:

Here is jQuery version for you. I think it more simplest thing.

$(function() {
    // Multiple images preview in browser
    var imagesPreview = function(input, placeToInsertImagePreview) {

        if (input.files) {
            var filesAmount = input.files.length;

            for (i = 0; i < filesAmount; i++) {
                var reader = new FileReader();

                reader.onload = function(event) {
                    $($.parseHTML('<img>')).attr('src', event.target.result).appendTo(placeToInsertImagePreview);
                }

                reader.readAsDataURL(input.files[i]);
            }
        }

    };

    $('#gallery-photo-add').on('change', function() {
        imagesPreview(this, 'div.gallery');
    });
});

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<input type="file" multiple id="gallery-photo-add">
<div class="gallery"></div>

Solution 2:

Add the multiple attribute to your input element.

Javascript

function previewImages() {

  var preview = document.querySelector('#preview');
  
  if (this.files) {
    [].forEach.call(this.files, readAndPreview);
  }

  function readAndPreview(file) {

    // Make sure `file.name` matches our extensions criteria
    if (!/\.(jpe?g|png|gif)$/i.test(file.name)) {
      return alert(file.name + " is not an image");
    } // else...
    
    var reader = new FileReader();
    
    reader.addEventListener("load", function() {
      var image = new Image();
      image.height = 100;
      image.title  = file.name;
      image.src    = this.result;
      preview.appendChild(image);
    });
    
    reader.readAsDataURL(file);
    
  }

}

document.querySelector('#file-input').addEventListener("change", previewImages);

<input id="file-input" type="file" multiple>
<div id="preview"></div>

jQuery adaptation:

function previewImages() {

  var $preview = $('#preview').empty();
  if (this.files) $.each(this.files, readAndPreview);

  function readAndPreview(i, file) {
    
    if (!/\.(jpe?g|png|gif)$/i.test(file.name)){
      return alert(file.name +" is not an image");
    } // else...
    
    var reader = new FileReader();

    $(reader).on("load", function() {
      $preview.append($("<img/>", {src:this.result, height:100}));
    });

    reader.readAsDataURL(file);
    
  }

}

$('#file-input').on("change", previewImages);

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<input id="file-input" type="file" multiple>
<div id="preview"></div>

More info on MDN readAsDataURL
StackOverflow Preview Image, get file size, image height and width before upload

Solution 3:

Just use FileReader.readAsDataURL()

HTML:

<div id='photos-preview'></div>
<input type="file" id="fileupload" multiple (change)="handleFileInput($event.target.files)" />

JS:

 function handleFileInput(fileList: FileList) {
        const preview = document.getElementById('photos-preview');
        Array.from(fileList).forEach((file: File) => {
            const reader = new FileReader();
            reader.onload = () => {
              var image = new Image();
              image.src = String(reader.result);
              preview.appendChild(image);
            }
            reader.readAsDataURL(file);
        });
    }

DEMO