How to download PDF File Generated from TCPDF (PHP) using AJAX (jQuery)?

Question

I am using Yii Framework, TCPDF and jQuery to generate a pdf.

The pdf is generated by inputing in a form and submitting it using ajax.

The pdf is created but here is the problem when it returns to the client, it down not download.

here is the php code $pdf->Output('Folder Label.pdf','D');

the jQuery on success function has success: function(data) { window.open(data); }

Which i got from this site.

Can you please help

Solution 1

If the problem is that you are not getting the browser's download dialog for the PDF, then the solution is to do it this way:

First, redirect the browser (using window.location as the other answers say) to navigate to a special controller action in your application, e.g. with this url: http://your.application.com/download/pdf/filename.pdf.

Implement the action referenced in the URL like this:

public function actionPdf() {
    header('Content-Type: application/pdf');
    header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="filename.pdf";');
    header('Content-Length: '.filesize('path/to/pdf'));
    readfile('path/to/pdf');
    Yii::app()->end();
}

This will cause the browser to download the file.

Solution 2

You need to save the PDF to somewhere on your server and then issue window.location = '/url/to/pdf-you-just-saved.pdf'; from your javascript. The users browser will then prompt them to download the PDF file.

Solution 3

in tcpdf , just pass this argument the Output method:

$pdf->Output('yourfilename.pdf', 'D'); 

that's all

Comments

[Treffynnon]

See developer.mozilla.org/en/DOM/window.location Specifically "newLocation is a Location object or a string, specifying the URL to navigate to." List the browsers that have an issue with window.location = ''; please.

[Joseph Lust]

@Treffynnon - Simple: Internet Explorer. stackoverflow.com/questions/1939332/window-location-problem

[Treffynnon]

I have never had an issue with this in IE7+. However I have not supported IE6 for a long time and neither do my clients or their users. ie6countdown.com

[Joseph Lust]

@Treffynnon If only all developers had such freedom. Frankly IE6 is a gaffe factory. You should count yourself lucky.

[Tyler]

The OP specifies AJAX. AJAX is generally used to bring in content without reloading the page - in otherwords, there is probably content already outputted. TCPDF will (as I have just seen in my situation) generate an error when you try to output with content already outputted: TCPDF ERROR: Some data has already been output, can't send PDF file