Can we use file uploads (e.g. file IDs) in batch requests to /v1/responses?

API
1

Hi all,

I’m using the new /v1/responses endpoint for classification tasks that typically take two file inputs:

  • A taxonomy file (PDF)
  • A project document (PDF.)

In the standard (non-batch) flow, I use client.responses.create(...) and pass both files using input_file objects along with the prompt — and this works perfectly.

Now I want to batch this logic using the /v1/responses batch endpoint. My batch requests look like this:
{
“custom_id”: “some-id”,
“method”: “POST”,
“url”: “/v1/responses”,
“body”: {
“model”: “gpt-4.1”,
“input”: [
{
“type”: “input_text”,
“text”: “Prompt with instructions”
},
{
“type”: “input_file”,
“file_id”: “file-abc123”
},
{
“type”: “input_file”,
“file_id”: “file-xyz456”
}
]
}
}
But I receive the following error:
Invalid value: ‘text’. Supported values are: ‘code_interpreter_call’, ‘function_call’, etc.

Some threads and helpers suggest file IDs might not be supported in batch mode and that file content must be inlined, but I haven’t found this confirmed in the official documentation. Could someone from the OpenAI team confirm:

  1. Are file uploads supported in batch requests to /v1/responses?
  2. Is there any limit to prompt length or total request size per line in the batch?

Thanks in advance!

2

You’ve formed the “Responses” endpoint input parameter incorrectly.

An array must be role messages of a chat, indicating the participant, from “system”, “user”, “assistant”. (Functions would be pointless).

input_file is only for PDFs.

Verify your RESTful call JSON independently results in success (not using the OpenAI SDKs).

As input, you’d have something like

[
  {
    "type": "message",
    "role": "developer",
    "content": [
      {
        "type": "input_text",
        "text": "You are Bob. Use provided PDFs as new knowledge to answer from."
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "type": "message",
    "role": "user",
    "content": [
      {
        "type": "input_text",
        "text": "introduce yourself briefly"
      }
    ]
  }
]