How to download xml file in asp.net using C#

Question

I am using an web application asp.net with mvc3. I am new to mvc3. I am having a download button on my webpage. when i am going to click the download button ,I

Answer 1

If you return FileResult it will be file, if you return string it will be open in browser.

Update: This code will return file for downloading

public FileResult GetXmlFile()
{
    string xml=""; //string presented xml
    var stream = new MemoryStream();
    var writer = XmlWriter.Create(stream);
    writer.WriteRaw(xml);
    stream.Position = 0;
    var fileStreamResult = File(stream, "application/octet-stream", "xml.xml");
    return fileStreamResult;        
}

Answer 2

You can't pass a byte array, you need a Stream. Just pass a stream from your definition:

    public FileResult Download(string id) {
        string fid = Convert.ToString(id);

        var model = service.GetAllDefinitions().First(x => x.ID == id);
        var definitionDetails = new StatisticDefinitionModel(model);
        var definition = definitionDetails.ToXml;

        string fileName = definitionDetails.Name + ".xml";
        string contentType = "text/xml";

        return File(new MemoryStream(Encoding.Unicode.GetBytes(definition)), contentType, fileName);
    }