Feed Attachment, Chatter
A Feed Attachment in Chatter is a file or content item attached to a Chatter post (FeedItem).
Definition
A Feed Attachment in Chatter is a file or content item attached to a Chatter post (FeedItem). When a user posts a feed update with a file uploaded inline or a Content Document referenced, the platform creates a FeedAttachment record linking the FeedItem to the underlying file. Feed Attachments are how files appear inline in feed posts in Salesforce, Experience Cloud sites, and the mobile app.
The Feed Attachment is a junction record between FeedItem and ContentDocument (or Attachment in older orgs). One FeedItem can have multiple Feed Attachments; each attaches a different file. The FeedAttachment object exposes the title, type (Content, Link, Image), and the link to the underlying file''s storage location. Reports on FeedAttachment count attachments per feed post, attachments per user, and attachment volume per channel.
How Feed Attachments work in Chatter
The FeedAttachment object and its fields
FeedAttachment is the junction object. Key fields: FeedEntityId (the parent FeedItem or FeedComment), Type (Content, Link, Image), Title (displayed in feed), Value (the underlying file Id or URL). Querying FeedAttachment lists every attachment in the feed; joining to FeedItem links them to the feed posts they belong to.
Files versus links versus images
Type field distinguishes the attachment kind. Content attachments link to ContentVersion records (Salesforce Files). Link attachments are external URLs (a YouTube video, a Google Doc). Image attachments are images displayed inline in the feed. Each type has slightly different rendering behavior in the feed UI.
One FeedItem, many FeedAttachments
A single feed post can have multiple attachments. A user dragging three files into the feed composer creates one FeedItem and three FeedAttachment records, all linked. The feed UI renders attachments inline; multiple attachments appear as a gallery.
Comments and attachments
FeedComments (replies to a FeedItem) can also have attachments. The FeedAttachment object has a FeedEntityId field that can point to either a FeedItem or a FeedComment. Sometimes users post a question and the answer arrives as a file attached to a comment.
Storage and the file lifecycle
Feed Attachments do not duplicate file storage. The underlying ContentVersion record is a single source of truth; the FeedAttachment is just a pointer. Deleting the FeedAttachment removes the inline display but does not delete the file. Deleting the file removes the inline display by extension because the link is broken.
Access control
Feed Attachments inherit access from the underlying file and the feed post. A user who can see the FeedItem and has access to the ContentVersion sees the attachment; a user without either does not. The platform enforces this composition at query time; you cannot bypass file FLS by posting a file in a feed.
Feed search and attachment indexing
Salesforce search indexes feed posts and their attachments. A search for help.pdf returns FeedItems that have attachments named help.pdf. The indexing happens automatically; full-text search works on the file''s contents for supported file types (PDF, Word, plain text).
How to attach a file to a Chatter feed post
Attaching a file to a Chatter post is a one-click action in the feed composer. The platform creates the FeedItem and FeedAttachment records automatically.
- Open the feed composer
On any feed-enabled record page or the Chatter Home page, click the New Post compose area. The feed composer opens.
- Drag a file or click the attachment icon
Drag a file from your desktop into the composer, or click the paperclip icon to browse. The file uploads and appears as an attachment in the composer.
- Attach multiple files (optional)
Repeat to add additional files. The composer supports multiple files per post; each becomes its own FeedAttachment record.
- Add post text
Type the post body. Mention users with @username if relevant. The text accompanies the attachments in the feed.
- Post
Click Share. The platform creates the FeedItem record, uploads files to ContentVersion if new, creates a FeedAttachment per file linking to the FeedItem.
- Verify in the feed
The feed refreshes and shows your post with the attachments inline. Click an attachment to view or download the file.
The feed post the attachment belongs to. Set via the FeedEntityId field.
Content, Link, or Image. Drives rendering in the feed UI.
Pointer to the underlying file (ContentVersion Id) or URL (for Link type).
Display label for the attachment. Shown in feed.
- File storage is shared across the org. Feed Attachments do not duplicate storage but they do count toward the file storage allocation.
- External link attachments are not stored in Salesforce. If the linked URL goes away, the attachment shows a broken link in the feed.
- File-level access trumps feed access. A user with feed access but no file access cannot open the attachment.
- Comment attachments require enabled FeedComment posting. Restricting comment posting prevents users from attaching files to comments.
Trust & references
Straight from the source - Salesforce's reference material on Feed Attachment, Chatter.
- FeedAttachment ReferenceSalesforce Developers
- Files OverviewSalesforce Help
About the Author
Dipojjal Chakrabarti is a B2C Solution Architect with 29 Salesforce certifications and over 13 years in the Salesforce ecosystem. He runs salesforcedictionary.com to help admins, developers, architects, and cert/interview candidates sharpen their fundamentals. More about Dipojjal.
Test your knowledge
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