Open a file with a href

[If81]

Hi,
how do I open a file and I see it on the screen ?

I have the following code:

<a href="C:\test\cani.docx">Open the file</a>

When I click on Open the file, it does not work.

I'm using PHP with XAMPP and my personal computer.

Thanks.

 

[VBService]

You can use the file:// protocol to open local files directly from a browser, but it might not work reliably due to security restrictions imposed by modern browsers. Browsers generally limit access to local files for security reasons.

To use the file:// protocol to open a local file in a browser, you can construct your link like this.

<a href="file:///C:/test/cani.docx">Open the file</a>

Make sure to use three forward slashes (///) after file: to indicate the file protocol and provide the full path to your local file.

However, keep in mind that different browsers may have varying degrees of support for opening local files using this method, and it may not work as expected or at all, depending on the browser's security policies.

A more reliable approach, as mentioned earlier, is to move the file to a directory accessible by your web server (e.g., within your XAMPP's htdocs directory) and use a relative or absolute URL as previously described. This method is more likely to work consistently across different browsers and provides better security and control over access to the file.

 

[VBService]

You can use the file:// protocol

To use the file:// protocol to open

Upsss, My mistake, ofcourse it should be ... file:///

• File URI scheme
• Meaning of '///' after 'file:' protocol (URL)

 

[If81]

I tried

<a href="file:///C:/xampp/htdocs/dashboard/docdigitalizzaz/documento/test/cani.docx">Open the file 3</a>

with Internet explorer, mozilla, chrome but it does not work.

The document cani.docx is in the xampp htdocs dashboard folder.

 

[VBService]

move the file to a directory accessible by your web server (e.g., within your XAMPP's htdocs directory) and use a relative or absolute URL

try like this

<style>
  html,
  body {
    padding: 0;
    margin: 1rem;
  }
  h4 {
    margin-bottom: .5rem;
  }
  a {
    display: block; 
  }
  a + a {
    margin-top: .5rem;
  }
</style>

<h4>Relative</h4>
<a href="dashboard/docdigitalizzaz/documento/test/cani.docx">Open the file 3</a>
<a href="./dashboard/docdigitalizzaz/documento/test/cani.docx">Open the file 3</a>

<h4>Absolute</h4>
<a href="http://localhost/dashboard/docdigitalizzaz/documento/test/cani.docx">Open the file 3</a>

 

[If81]

Ok, thanks.

They all work but the file appears in the Download folder using Chrome or Internet Explorer.

I need to open the file directly with a click of the mouse without the download.