JavaScript Download File

JavaScript Download File

There are several ways to download files in JavaScript.

Use iFrame

The easy way is to use invisible 'iframe':

<iframe id="download-file" style="display:none;"></iframe>
<script>
function downloadFile(url) {
    document.getElementById('download-file').src = url;
};
</script>

Create a link

Another way to download a file is to programmatically create a link, trigger the click event and delete the link from the DOM.

function downloadFile(url, name='default-file-name')
{
    let link = document.createElement('a');
    link.setAttribute('download', name);
    link.href = uri;
    document.body.appendChild(link);
    link.click();
    link.remove();
}

NOTE: This will not work in IE11 and Opera Mini

Use fetch and blob

The modern approach

fetch('https://storage.com/file-url.txt')
  .then(response => response.blob())
  .then(blob => {
    const url = window.URL.createObjectURL(blob);
    const link = document.createElement('a');
    link.style.display = 'none';
    a.href = url;
    link.setAttribute('download', 'new-file-name.txt');
    document.body.appendChild(a);
    a.click();
    window.URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
  })
  .catch(() => console.log('Ups, ...'));

That's it. Happy downloading!

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FAQs

Can I use iframe to download file in JavaScript?

Yes, you can use invisible 'iframe' and set it's source to the file URL.

What is the modern way to download file in JavaScript?

The modern way is to use fetch and blob.

How I can make link downloadable?

You can add 'download' attribute to the link tag and set it to the desired filename.

What is file download in JavaScript?

File download in JavaScript refers to the process of downloading a file from a server to a user’s device using JavaScript. This process can be done in various file formats including HTML, text file, and JSON, among others.

How can I download a file using JavaScript?

You can download a file using JavaScript by first creating a hyperlink and then triggering a click event. Alternatively, you can create a new tab and use the download attribute in HTML 5 to tell the browser to download the file directly.

What is the recommended method for file download in modern web applications?

The recommended method for file download in modern web applications is to use the download attribute in HTML 5. This allows the user to download the file directly and avoids the need to display it in a new tab or window.

Can I download a text file using JavaScript?

Yes, you can download a text file using JavaScript. You can create the file using the var keyword and then use the API to save it to the user’s device.

How can I download a specific file name using JavaScript?

You can set the name of the downloaded file by using the download attribute in HTML 5. Alternatively, you can set the file name using the name attribute in the hyperlink.

Can I download a file using jQuery?

Yes, you can download a file using jQuery. You can use a JavaScript function to create a download button and then use the jQuery library to trigger a click event on the button when it is clicked.

How do URLs play a role in file download using JavaScript?

URLs play a crucial role in file download using JavaScript. You can use the URL of the file to create a hyperlink and then trigger a click event using JavaScript or jQuery to download the file to the user’s device.

How can I create a file and download it using JavaScript?

You can create a file using JavaScript by using the API to create a new file and then populating it with content. Once you have created the file, you can use JavaScript to trigger a download of the file to the user’s device.

How can I open a downloaded file in a new tab?

You can open a downloaded file in a new tab by setting the target attribute of the hyperlink to “_blank”. This will tell the browser to open the file in a new tab or window.

How can I download a large file using JavaScript?

You can download a large file using JavaScript by first creating a separate server-side script to handle the file download. This will prevent JavaScript from freezing or causing errors while the file is being downloaded.

What is the recommended approach for file download using JavaScript?

The recommended approach for file download using JavaScript is to use the download attribute in HTML 5. This is the most reliable and efficient method for downloading files in modern web applications.

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Ruslan Osipov
Author: Ruslan Osipov