Upload Files into Azure Blob Storage with .NET 8

Introduction

In modern cloud-based applications, storing files securely and scalably is essential. Whether it's profile images, invoices, PDFs, or logs — cloud storage is the go-to solution.

In this article, we will learn how to:

• What is Azure Blob Storage?

• Create Azure Blob Storage

• Configure it in a .NET 8 Web API

• Test using Swagger

We will use:

• .NET 8 Web API

• Azure Blob Storage

• Azure Portal

What is Azure Blob Storage?

Microsoft provides a service called Azure Blob Storage—a massively scalable object storage solution for storing unstructured data in the cloud.

Unstructured data means data that does not fit into traditional relational databases, such as

• Images

• PDFs

• Videos

• Logs

• Backups

Understanding Object Storage

• Storage Account

Top-level resource in Azure.
Acts like a global namespace for your data.

• Container

Similar to a folder (logical grouping of blobs).

• Blob

Actual file stored in Azure.

Example:

https://mystorage.blob.core.windows.net/invoices/invoice1.pdf

Types of Azure Blob Storage

• Block Blob (Most Common)

Block blobs store data as blocks, which are uploaded independently and then committed together.

Each block:

• Can be uploaded separately

• Can be re-uploaded if failed

• Supports parallel upload

Best For: Images, Videos, Documents

• Append Blob

Append blobs are optimized for append operations only.

• You can add data to the end.

• Not modify existing data.

• Not delete specific blocks.

Best For: Logging systems, Audit trails

• Page Blob

Page blobs store data in 512-byte pages.

• Can be read/written randomly

• Supports random access

• Ideal for frequent read/write operations

Best For: Virtual machine disks (VHD files), Databases

Create Azure Blob Storage

Go to Azure Portal → Create Resource → Storage Account

Important Settings

• Performance → Standard

• Redundancy → LRS (Low-cost option)

• Region → Choose nearest

After creation:

1. Go to Containers

2. Create a new container

3. Set access level (Private recommended)

Configure it in a .NET 8 Web API

Get Connection String

Go to:

Storage Account → Access Keys → Copy Connection String

Never hardcode in production. Use:

• appsettings.json (for development)

• Azure Key Vault (for production)

Create .NET 8 Web API

Install NuGet package:

dotnet add package Azure.Storage.Blobs

Add Connection String in appsettings.json

{
  "AzureBlobStorage": {
    "ConnectionString": "YOUR_CONNECTION_STRING",
    "ContainerName": "uploads"
  }
}

Create Blob Service : BlobService.cs

using Azure.Storage.Blobs;

public class BlobService
{
    private readonly BlobContainerClient _containerClient;

    public BlobService(IConfiguration configuration)
    {
        var connectionString = configuration["AzureBlobStorage:ConnectionString"];
        var containerName = configuration["AzureBlobStorage:ContainerName"];

        var blobServiceClient = new BlobServiceClient(connectionString);
        _containerClient = blobServiceClient.GetBlobContainerClient(containerName);
    }

    public async Task<string> UploadFileAsync(IFormFile file)
    {
        var blobClient = _containerClient.GetBlobClient(file.FileName);

        using (var stream = file.OpenReadStream())
        {
            await blobClient.UploadAsync(stream, overwrite: true);
        }

        return blobClient.Uri.ToString();
    }
}

Register Service in Program.cs

builder.Services.AddScoped<BlobService>();

Create Controller

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

[ApiController]
[Route("api/[controller]")]
public class UploadController : ControllerBase
{
    private readonly BlobService _blobService;

    public UploadController(BlobService blobService)
    {
        _blobService = blobService;
    }

    [HttpPost]
    public async Task<IActionResult> Upload(IFormFile file)
    {
        if (file == null || file.Length == 0)
            return BadRequest("File not selected");

        var result = await _blobService.UploadFileAsync(file);
        return Ok(new { FileUrl = result });
    }
}

Test using Swagger

Run the application: Open Swagger → Upload file → Click Execute

Conclusion

Uploading files to Azure Blob Storage using .NET 8 is:

• Simple

• Scalable

• Secure

• Production-ready

This approach works perfectly with:

• Azure App Service

• Azure Functions

• Microservices Architecture

Thank you so much for reading this article.

Happy coding!!