> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.talview.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why can't candidates see the reference file on a long form question?

If a candidate can't see or download the reference file attached to a long form question, there are a few common reasons this can happen in Talview. In this article, you will identify the cause and get the file visible and downloadable for your candidate.

### 🔎 Troubleshooting common issues

| What might be wrong                                                                 | How to fix it                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| The download button is not visible to the candidate                                 | The file may not have been attached, or the question may not have been saved correctly. Re-open the question in the Assessment Engine, re-attach the PDF, and republish the question.    |
| The download button is visible, but the file won't download                         | The candidate's browser may be blocking downloads. Ask the candidate to check their browser's pop-up and download settings, or try a supported browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. |
| The file is attached in the Assessment Engine but not showing in the candidate view | This may be a publishing or sync delay. Wait a few minutes and ask the candidate to refresh their browser and try again. If the issue persists after 30 minutes, escalate.               |
| The file was uploaded in a format other than PDF                                    | Only PDF files are supported as reference attachments for long form questions. Re-upload the file as a PDF and republishes the question.                                                 |
| The file size exceeds the supported limit                                           | Check that the file is within the supported upload limit. If it's too large, reduce the file size and re-upload.                                                                         |

<Tip>
  **Additional Tips**

  * Before asking the candidate to retry, confirm the question is fully published and not sitting in draft. A question saved as a draft will not be visible in the candidate view.
  * Always test the download flow yourself as a candidate before the assessment goes live to catch any issues early.
  * If the file is confirmed attached in the Assessment Engine but still not showing in the candidate view after 30 minutes, escalate with the following details: question ID, assessment ID, tenant ID, and the candidate's browser and operating system.
</Tip>