files served with content-disposition: inline still sometimes prompt for download

Question

My subject line says most of what I\'m asking. I\'ve got a web site that outputs reports in various formats (HTML, CSV, TSV, Excel, etc). Whenever possible, I\'d like thes

Answer 1

You may have resolved this already, but if not I may have an answer (for future people with the same issue, this also drove me nuts!)

This behavior can be overwritten on the client, using the following:

1. Go to windows explorer
2. Select Tools -> Folder Options
3. Select “File Types” Tab
4. Find extension “DOC” (or “PDF”, etc)
5. Select “Advanced”
6. Tick / Untick “Confirm open after download” as desired.

The mechanism used to implement the preview / download functionality is via the use of the “content-disposition” header, usually using MimeType “application/”. This basically tells the local client to open the application using the specified application, however the above settings for the application can overwrite the requested delivery format.