Force open a text file from javascript (file is on server)

Question

I am generating several files upon clicking on a generate button. After successful generation of the file which is then stored on the server, the user is presented with the same file so he can download it.

I tried changing the extension to a known extension which cannot be opened directly by the browser, which is .doc. This worked as a popup shows stating to download the file.

However, I would like to change the extension to something which makes more sense, such as .cfg. The problem is that with a .cfg, or .txt the browser opens the file automatically (since it is a text file). How can I override this?

The following is the code:

c# server side:

 string[] L_TextFile = P_Data.M_Content.Split('|');
 System.IO.File.WriteAllLines(@"c:\files\file.cfg", L_TextFile);
 response = "1";
 return response;

extjs ajax call success code:

success: function(P_Response){
    var res = Ext.util.JSON.decode(P_Response.responseText);
    if(res == '1') window.location.href'/files/file.cfg';
    else ShowError('An error has occured while generating the text file.');                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
},

Basically, everything works fine with a .doc but I want to change it to .cfg

Any help?

See this [SO question](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4253299/how-to-open-the-save-as-dialog-on-click-of-the-image) — Shai, Jul 12 '12 at 13:58

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 12 '12 at 14:03

3

Set response MIME type to "application/octet-stream" and optionally set a filename.

Example:

response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment;filename=\"" + filename + "\"");
response.AddHeader("Content-Type", "application/octet-stream");

answered Jul 12 '12 at 14:03

jorel

808
7
15

My response is a string. Are you creating an HTTP response? – seedg Jul 12 '12 at 15:49
To be precise its the System.Web.HttpResponse instance. – jorel Jul 12 '12 at 16:10

Force open a text file from javascript (file is on server)

1 Answers1