Downloading excel file in asp.net mvc

Question

What I'm trying to implement is giving the users the ability to export the grid data to an excel file and download it, with the help of a file save dialog.

Here's how I have coded it right now -

In Javascript -

$.post("/irn/Identifier/Download", { "columnValues": columnValues });

In the Identifier controllers Download action -

public FileResult Download(string columnValues)
{
    DTData headlineRows = (DTData)Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(columnValues, typeof(DTData));
    var e = new Services.DownloadToExcel();
    return File(e.WriteData(headlineRows), "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet", "testfile.xlsx");
}

In the DownloadToExcel class, inside the WriteData function I have -

//Here, I'm using the EPPlus library to write the column data to an excel file and then i'm returning the data as a byte array -

//Some code that writes the data
return packages.GetAsByteArray();

When I run this code, I expect to see a File Save Dialog in the browser, but nothing happens. There aren't any errors on the C# or JavaScript side. Can anyone tell me what i could be doing wrong?

Can you slap in a Debug.Print("Test") statement in the first line of your `Download` action to ensure that the action is being called at all? The Debug output will print in the Output panel in Visual Studio. — user1477388, Oct 31 '12 at 18:27
I've added breakpoints at every place, and each of these functions are definitely being hit. @user1477388 — neuDev33, Oct 31 '12 at 18:42
Perhaps try changing your application type to the one recommended here http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7390749/asp-net-mvc-downloading-an-excel-file. — user1477388, Oct 31 '12 at 18:53
I've tried that too, doesn't work. The type "application/vdn.ms-excel" is for .xls files, and the one that I'm using is for .xlsx files. I'm starting to think that the code itself is correct, and the issue is something else altogether. @user1477388 — neuDev33, Oct 31 '12 at 18:59
You can try creating an MVC view http://stackoverflow.com/questions/301986/export-to-excel-in-asp-net-mvc but the easiest way to do this seems to be to use a grid http://www.billsternberger.net/asp-net-mvc/export-to-excel-or-csv-from-asp-net-mvc-with-c/. I am not sure why else your code may not be working, but I would recommend one of these other methods. — user1477388, Oct 31 '12 at 18:59
Do you think the code as it is written right now seems correct? I'm thinking the reason this doesnt work may be something else entiery. @user1477388 — neuDev33, Oct 31 '12 at 19:03
Honestly, I've not seen that method used anywhere, so I'm not sure. I can just recommend the methods I know which seem to work. — user1477388, Oct 31 '12 at 19:45

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 08 '13 at 11:39

bit late but I was having a similar issue. To solve it I used JSON.stringify(columnValues) on the client to convert my data into a json string before sending it to the controller.

Then instead of using

$.post("/irn/Identifier/Download", { "columnValues": columnValues });

try

var columnValuesString = JSON.stringify(columnvalues);
window.location = '/irn/Identifier/Download?columnvalues=" + columnValuesString';

Changing the $.post() to a window.location makes it work.

Then you can deserialize the json string in the controller and your Open/Save dialog should appear after hitting your link.

I hope this helps someone else. Let me know and I can post my code if needed.

Thanks.

Hi @Dan, I could receive the data properly, but the download pop-up just wouldn't show up. I solved it using MVC's File action. I didn't get a chance to try your solution as I had this working a long time back. — neuDev33, Apr 15 '13 at 20:31

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 10 '13 at 19:52

If you're testing the site in Internet Explorer, try the following:

Open Internet Options -> Advanced. Click Reset. You can also choose to Restore Advanced Settings.
Open Internet Options -> Security. If zones have been changed at all, click "Reset all zones to default level".

Changes to these settings may affect whether or not Internet Explorer accepts file downloads.

More information here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie8-windows_other/ie-8-will-not-let-me-download-any-files-music-pdf/bc59ba24-866b-4dbf-93f2-85ebb9912c2c

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 21 '15 at 10:01

You should use IFrame to help downlaoding the file.

function postToIframe( url,data) {
    var target = "downloadIFrame";
    $('<iframe  name="' + target + '" style="display:none"/>').appendTo('body');
    $('body').append('<form action="' + url + '" method="post" target="' + target + '" id="postToIframe"></form>');
    $.each(data, function (n, v) {
        $('#postToIframe').append('<textarea name="' + n + '">' + v + '</textarea>');
    });
    $('#postToIframe').submit().remove();
}

score -1 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

I solved this but forgot to update here -

This worked -

Inside my class -

private const string MimeType = "application/vnd.openxmlformats- 
officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet";

private ExcelPackage package = new ExcelPackage();

private FileContentResult excelFile;

Write data using EPPlus

 ...

 ...

 ...

excelFile = File(package.GetAsByteArray(), MimeType, FileName);

 return excelFile;

Downloading excel file in asp.net mvc

In Javascript -

In the Identifier controllers Download action -

In the DownloadToExcel class, inside the WriteData function I have -

4 Answers4

Inside my class -