Why there is no image_multiple field?

[schel4ok]

You have browse_multiple, upload_multiple, but no image_multiple field.
I want to have field storing few images with possibility to select main image (which will be loaded first).
Imagine you have product page with small picture gallery for this product instead of just one picture.

[backpack-ai-bot[bot]]

Backpack does not have a dedicated image_multiple field, but it provides several alternatives for handling multiple images:

• upload_multiple: This field allows you to upload multiple files (including images) and store them as an array. However, it is a generic file uploader, not specifically tailored for images. You can use it to upload several images, but it does not provide image-specific features like cropping or previewing as images by default. You can customize its behavior and display by overriding the field's blade file if needed. There are also community discussions and code samples on how to enhance its display for images, such as showing thumbnails or customizing the UI for image galleries. However, selecting a "main" image is not built-in and would require additional logic in your application code or a custom field override Official answer Part 1.

• browse_multiple: This field lets you select multiple files (including images) from the file manager (elFinder). Like upload_multiple, it is not image-specific and does not provide features like cropping or marking a main image. It simply stores an array of file paths browse_multiple PRO.

• repeatable: You can use the repeatable field to create a set of subfields, for example, an image field and a text field for each image. This approach is flexible and allows you to add extra data (like captions or a "main" flag) for each image. The recommended way to handle multiple images with additional data (such as marking one as the main image) is to use repeatable with an image field and a boolean or radio field to select the main image. There are community examples and suggestions for this approach, including how to handle the data in your model's mutator and accessor Feature request: Browse multiple with files description, Feature: Dropzone field > Comments Part 4.

• dropzone (PRO): This is a newer field designed for uploading multiple files via drag-and-drop, with better support for use as a subfield (e.g., inside repeatable or relationship fields). It is more flexible and modern than upload_multiple, but again, does not natively support marking a main image—you would need to implement that logic yourself Release Notes: New Field: Dropzone.

Why no image_multiple?
The main reason is that Backpack's philosophy is to provide flexible, composable fields. The image field is designed for single images, while upload_multiple and browse_multiple are for multiple files. For more complex use cases (like galleries with a main image), Backpack encourages using repeatable fields or customizing existing fields, rather than providing a specialized image_multiple field. This approach gives you more control over the data structure and UI, at the cost of a bit more setup.

Summary:

• There is no image_multiple field because Backpack provides generic multi-file fields (upload_multiple, browse_multiple) and encourages using repeatable for more complex scenarios.
• To implement a gallery with a main image, use repeatable with an image field and a "main" selector, or customize upload_multiple's display and logic.
• Selecting a main image is not built-in and requires custom logic.

If you need a ready-made image gallery field with main image selection, you will need to build it using repeatable or by customizing existing fields, as described above.

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Relevant sources:

PRO for unlimited projects|Features
Github Issue (closed): [Bug] upload and upload_multiple fields don't work as subfields inside relationship
Release Notes|CRUD
Fields|browse_multiple PRO
Github Issue (closed): [v5][Summary] Not all fields work as subfields inside relationship
Github Issue (closed): crud.field() js library bugs
Github Issue (closed): [Feature request] Browse multiple with files description
Github Issue (closed): Multiple browse field
[Feature][3.4][Ready] upload_multiple column type
Github Issue (closed): image custom disk/folder
Github Issue (closed): [Feature Request] Corresponding column type for each field type
Github Issue (closed): The form only displays the first image when editing an element with multiple image fields.
Github Issue (closed): Multiple Images (Slideshow / Dropzone field type)
Github Issue (closed): [Feature] Dropzone field
SQLSTATE[22007]: Invalid datetime format: 1292 Truncated incorrect DOUBLE value: 'C:\OSPanel\userdata\temp\upload\php6194.tmp'

[pxpm]

Hey @schel4ok for that we have the dropzone field. https://backpackforlaravel.com/docs/6.x/crud-fields#dropzone-pro

We have no plans to build a image multiple field into CRUD, but if you do, feel free to share it with us, or publish your own package with that field so that other developers can use in their projects too 👍

Thanks