How to Force a File Download Instead of Displaying its Contents Using AJAX and PHP?

Downloading File Through AJAX Call PHP

Problem:

An Ajax function retrieves data from a PHP file. Despite using a PHP script to prompt a file download at the end of the script, the file's contents are instead displayed on the page. How can the file be forcefully downloaded?

Answer:

AJAX is not intended for file downloads. To force a file download, consider the following solution:

Use the JavaScript window.open() or document.location = methods to open a new window with the download link as the address.

Example Using window.open():

window.open('download.php?file=file.csv');

Example Using document.location:

document.location = 'download.php?file=file.csv';

Revised PHP Script:

$fileName = 'file.csv';
$downloadFileName = 'newfile.csv';

if (file_exists($fileName)) {
    // Determine the download script URL
    $downloadURL = 'download.php?file=' . $fileName;

    // Output JavaScript to open a new window with the download script URL
    echo '<script type="text/javascript">window.open("' . $downloadURL . '");</script>';
    exit;
}

This solution will prompt the download of the file.csv file without displaying its contents on the page.

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