Receiving a .xls file using Ajax jquery POST

Question

I\'m attempting to return an Excel file through a Ajax POST to the server, the server generates the .xls file, however it doesn\'t pass through to the front end, i

Answer 1

You cannot use AJAX to download files from the server. The browser will deny Javascript from accessing the user's filesystem.

You should look at providing a "download servlet" on your server side, which can set the appropriate headers to ensure the browser downloads the file or prompts the user to save a stream it is receiving from the Server.

As noted here, you could also certain plugins that can provide you an AJAX-like experience. Internally they might be using iFrames to simulate AJAX-like behavior.

Answer 2

Try this http://jsfiddle.net/abLeR/

It downloads a tar file using hidden iFrame and ajax. Same can be used for the xls file.

HTML

<a class="download" href="http://ftp.neu.edu.cn/mirrors/eclipse/technology/epp/downloads/release/kepler/SR1/eclipse-java-kepler-SR1-linux-gtk.tar.gz">Download</a>
<span style="display:none;" class="loading">Loading...</span>

Javascript

$(".download").click(function (e) {

    e.preventDefault();
    var link = $(this);
    $('.loading').show();

    $.ajax({
        type: 'HEAD',
        url: link.attr('href'),
        complete: function () {

            $('.loading').hide();
            var ifr = $('<iframe />').attr('src', link.attr('href')).hide().appendTo(link)
            setTimeout(function () {ifr.remove();}, 5000);
        }

    });

});