Stream file using ASP.NET MVC FileContentResult in a browser with a name?

asp.net-mvc fileresult filecontentresult
Anup Marwadi picture Anup Marwadi · Jul 8, 2010 · Viewed 134.4k times · Source

Is there a way to stream a file using ASP.NET MVC FileContentResult within the browser with a specific name?

I have noticed that you can either have a FileDialog (Open/Save) or you can stream the file in a browser window, but then it will use the ActionName when you try to save the file.

I have the following scenario:

byte[] contents = DocumentServiceInstance.CreateDocument(orderId, EPrintTypes.Quote);
result = File(contents, "application/pdf", String.Format("Quote{0}.pdf", orderId));

When I use this, I can stream the bytes, but a OPEN/SAVE file dialog is given to the user. I would like to actually stream this file in a browser window.

If I just use the FilePathResult, it shows the file in a browser window, but then when I click on "Save" button to save the file in PDF, it shows me the Action Name as the name of the file.

Has anyone encountered this?

Answer

Darin Dimitrov picture Darin Dimitrov · Jul 8, 2010 
public ActionResult Index()
{
    byte[] contents = FetchPdfBytes();
    return File(contents, "application/pdf", "test.pdf");
}

and for opening the PDF inside the browser you will need to set the Content-Disposition header:

public ActionResult Index()
{
    byte[] contents = FetchPdfBytes();
    Response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", "inline; filename=test.pdf");
    return File(contents, "application/pdf");
}

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