File download script doesn't work when called from Ajax

Question

I\'m using the following script to initiate file downloads:

if (file_exists($newfilename)) {
    header(\'Content-Description: File Transfer\');
    header(\         


        

Answer 1

It is possible to download a file using AJAX.

javascript:

function exportToCsv(){

    var xmlhttp;

    if(window.XMLHttpRequest){ xmlhttp = new XMLHttpRequest; }else{ xmlhttp = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP"); }
    xmlhttp.onreadystatechange = function(){
        if(xmlhttp.readyState == 4 && xmlhttp.status == 200){
                window.location="download.php?filename=export.csv";
            }

        }
    }
    request = "exportToCsv.php";
    xmlhttp.open("GET", request, true);
    xmlhttp.send();

}

The code above, exports a mysql database of contacts to a .csv file. After that, if everything is Ok (xmlhttp.readyState == 4) automatically starts the download. window.location="download.php?filename=export.csv";

download.php file:

After this, the browser just presents the "Save file as" dialog, and no page refresh happens whatsoever. I have the application up and running, and never had problems. Runs on the following browsers:

Chrome v37.0.2062.120 
Firefox v32.0.1
Opera v12.17
Internet Explorer v11