Forcing a file download in JavaScript

forceDownload.js

function forceDownload(href) {
	var anchor = document.createElement('a');
	anchor.href = href;
	anchor.download = href;
	document.body.appendChild(anchor);
	anchor.click();
}

Great!, maybe it seem better add line that remove the created element for clean code

This doesn't force download if the target file is for example an audio file. It starts playing directly in the browser without any download started :(

Don't forget to add document.body.removeChild(anchor); below anchor.click() line.

A better way will be to show a link in your UI, so the user can click to download
That way is safer from getting blocked
something like:

<a href="attachment_url" download="attachment_url" target="_blank">Download</a>

Not work download but view image in page

A better way will be to show a link in your UI, so the user can click to download That way is safer from getting blocked something like:

<a href="attachment_url" download="attachment_url" target="_blank">Download</a>

Remember: This only works if the download url is in the same domain as you application.