ng-model for `<input type="file"/>` (with directive DEMO)

Question

I tried to use ng-model on input tag with type file:

<input type="file" ng-model="vm.uploadme" />

But after selecting a file, in controller, $scope.vm.uploadme is still undefined.

How do I get the selected file in my controller?

Answer 1

I created a workaround with directive:

.directive("fileread", [function () {
    return {
        scope: {
            fileread: "="
        },
        link: function (scope, element, attributes) {
            element.bind("change", function (changeEvent) {
                var reader = new FileReader();
                reader.onload = function (loadEvent) {
                    scope.$apply(function () {
                        scope.fileread = loadEvent.target.result;
                    });
                }
                reader.readAsDataURL(changeEvent.target.files[0]);
            });
        }
    }
}]);

And the input tag becomes:

<input type="file" fileread="vm.uploadme" />

Or if just the file definition is needed:

.directive("fileread", [function () {
    return {
        scope: {
            fileread: "="
        },
        link: function (scope, element, attributes) {
            element.bind("change", function (changeEvent) {
                scope.$apply(function () {
                    scope.fileread = changeEvent.target.files[0];
                    // or all selected files:
                    // scope.fileread = changeEvent.target.files;
                });
            });
        }
    }
}]);