How do I download a file with Angular2 or greater

Cover Image for How do I download a file with Angular2 or greater
Matheus Mello
Matheus Mello
published a few days ago. updated a few hours ago

How to Download a File with Angular2 or Greater

Are you struggling to save a downloaded file using Angular2 or greater? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many developers face challenges when it comes to understanding how Angular saves files. But fear not, we're here to help you overcome this hurdle.

The Problem

You have an existing Angular2 client that needs to replace an MVC app, and you're encountering difficulties when it comes to saving downloaded files. The code you're using is similar to a solution you found on Stack Overflow, but it's not working as expected. You're specifically puzzled by the absence of the createObjectURL function in URL and the undefined URL definition in window.

The Solution

The good news is that there is a simple solution to trigger file downloads in Angular2 or greater. Let's break it down step by step.

Step 1: Create a Blob Object

To successfully download a file, we need to create a Blob object that represents the downloaded data. In your code example, you're on the right track with thefile = new Blob([data], { type: "application/octet-stream" }). This creates a Blob object using the received data and sets the MIME type as "application/octet-stream".

Step 2: Generate File URL

Now that we have the Blob object, we need to generate a URL for the file. In your code, you attempted to use window.URL.createObjectURL(thefile), but encountered an issue. It seems like the createObjectURL function is either not present or not accessible. However, we can work around this problem.

Instead of using window.URL.createObjectURL, we can simply use the Blob itself as the URL. Modify your code to replace window.URL.createObjectURL(thefile) with URL.createObjectURL(thefile). This should resolve the issue and allow you to generate the URL for the file.

Step 3: Open the File

With the file URL generated, we can now open the file for the user to download. In your code, you tried to achieve this with window.open(url). This would open the file in a new browser window or tab. However, if you want to trigger a file download instead of displaying it, there's a better way.

Instead of using window.open, you can dynamically create an a element, set its href attribute to the file URL, add the download attribute, and then programmatically click the element to initiate the file download.

Here's an example of how you can achieve this:

downloadFile(type: string) {
  this.pservice.downloadFile(this.rundata.name, type)
    .subscribe(
      (data) => {
        const theFile = new Blob([data], { type: "application/octet-stream" });
        const url = URL.createObjectURL(theFile);

        const link = document.createElement('a');
        link.href = url;
        link.download = 'filename.ext';
        link.click();
      },
      (error) => console.log("Error downloading the file."),
      () => console.log('Completed file download.')
    );
}

Make sure to replace 'filename.ext' with the desired name and extension for the downloaded file.

Conclusion

You now have a clear understanding of how to download files with Angular2 or greater. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to successfully save downloaded files in your Angular application. Don't let file downloads stand in your way anymore – start implementing this solution and offer your users a seamless downloading experience.

Have questions or faced any challenges? Share your experiences and solutions in the comments below. Let's level up together! 😊🚀👩‍💻

References


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