Downloading PDF files?

[gwpriester]

A user wrote me and asked if Web Designer can download PDF files.

I said yes. You add a link to the PDF file in the index_htm_files folder. Publish the site then place the PDF file in the index_htm_files folder. Works fine. Except, at least on my computer, the PDF file opens in my browser where of course I can save it if I want.

But, is there a way to just have the file download to the visitor's computer?

[steve.ledger]

You can add instructions to the page which tell the user to right-click the link and choose 'save target as' or 'save link as' (depending which browser they use).
This will then download the file rather than open it in the browser.

[gwpriester]

That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks.

[afsenol]

Can you tell me please how I will link to the pdf folder I created? I know I need to use web properties; however, pdf doesnt have URL adress or page numbers etc..thanks

[Ron Duke]

good question, I'd like to know also.

[Soquili]

If you put your pdf file in the index_htm_files folder and the filename is wonderful.pdf

make the link to index_htm_files/wonderful.pdf

[Mithrandir069]

You can do that easily with PHP code. Just google "force PDF to download"

[cursor]

Anyone have a current membership at Experts-Exchange.com?

Force file to download, *not* viewable within browser

I need to find a way in which I can make a file (image files, AVI files, PDF etc.) to download rather than made viewable inside the browser instance. MIME types like *.jpeg, *.gif, *.pdf, *.wmv etc. are handled by the browser itself...but I want to override this behavior and make such file types downloadable, as soon as a user clicks on a hyperlink. This functionality is similar to what Gmail exposes when a user gets an image attachment -- there are 2 options "View" and "Download".

[Soquili]

Hi Curtis,

I'm a member of Experts-Exchange.

One of the suggested methods to force download references a php script. http://elouai.com/force-download.php

Another using javascript or using server side content disposition, is at http://www.jtricks.com/bits/content_disposition.html.