How to download file from javascript

Question

I'm trying to make my Download function popup with the file to download, it is outputting the binary of the file to the div when i click the link, how can i make it so that when i click the link, it will instead ask me to download it? I know i can do it with querystring and using headers in php, but can i do it with ajax/javascript in a similar way? thanks, here's what i tried:

<html> <head> <script> function Download(plan_name) { if (window.XMLHttpRequest) { xmlhttp=new XMLHttpRequest(); } else { xmlhttp=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP"); } xmlhttp.onreadystatechange=function() { if (xmlhttp.readyState==4 && xmlhttp.status==200) { var resp = xmlhttp.responseText; document.getElementById("txtHint").innerHTML=resp; //HOW TO SHOW test.zip in a save-as dialog? } } xmlhttp.open("GET","fetcher.php?file=/raid0/data/naswebsite/Projects/Projects/07-003_Dawson_Mine/Flight\ Plans/Dawson_Sth_1211_AMG_700.zip"); xmlhttp.send(); } </script> </head> <body> <a href="#" onClick="Download();">Test Download</a> <div id="txtHint"></div> </body> </html>

SLaks · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-28 03:55:28Z

2

It is not possible to download a file from an AJAX request.
Instead, you can load the URL in a hidden <iframe>.

answered Nov 28, 2012 at 3:55

SLaks

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Ian Over a year ago

Or do what most people do and open a new window with window.open and set its target URL, and have the response use the header Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=whatever and/or Content-Type: application/force-download

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