Let visitors download a file directly without displaying it

reddajoppe · Member · Apr 27, 2015 at 12:07 pm
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Can I let visitors download a file when clicking on a link in stead of just displaying the file?
I tried the ‘download’ attribute to the ‘a’ HTML tag, but it looks like that’s not supported. Is there another way?

The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
galois · Member · Apr 27, 2015 at 1:05 pm
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Can I let visitors download a file when clicking on a link in stead of just displaying the file?

Of course:

Note: The following processes are outlined particularly for users who wish to upload a document and add its download link to a blog post or page.

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reddajoppe · Member · Apr 27, 2015 at 7:38 pm
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That links to the file, not to downloading it.

What I’m trying to do is making a ‘save as’ window open as soon as the visitor clicks on the link.
galois · Member · Apr 28, 2015 at 11:42 am
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If you upload a file (eg PDF, Word) visitors will download when they click on the link.
reddajoppe · Member · Apr 28, 2015 at 5:46 pm
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No, the file (pdf) is displayed, not downloaded. Downloading requires further clicking.
galois · Member · Apr 29, 2015 at 10:44 am
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Ok.
kokkieh · Staff · Apr 29, 2015 at 11:13 am
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For users using Chrome the PDF will open. For other browsers, unless they have a PDF plugin installed, it should download.

HTML5 has an attribute you can add to links to force them to download, but I just tested it and it does not seem to be supported on WordPress.com yet. I suggest you just add an instruction for your readers that they must right-click the link and then select “Save target/link as”
reddajoppe · Member · Apr 29, 2015 at 12:36 pm
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Ah, I see – I’m using chrome. Yeah, I noticed that the ‘download’ attribute isn’t supported, which I wrote in my post.

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