Node js Download File to Client From Server Tutorial

In this tutorial, you will learn how to download files from the server in node js + express using using `res.download()` methods.

How to Download File From Rest API in Node js Express

Steps to download files to client from server:

Step 1 – Create Node Express js App

Run the following command on cmd to create node js app:

mkdir my-app
cd my-app
npm init

Step 2 – Install Node Modules

Run the following command on cmd to install express dependencies:

npm install express --save

Step 3 – Create Server.js File

Create a Server.js file, and import above installed modules in it:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const path = require('path');

Step 4 – Create Routes

Create routes in server.js file to handle download file logic:

//route to download a file
app.get('/download/:file(*)',(req, res) => {
	var file = req.params.file;
	var fileLocation = path.join('./uploads',file);
	console.log(fileLocation);
	res.download(fileLocation, file);
});

Step 5 – Test Application

Run the following command on cmd to start node express js server:

//run the below command

npm start

To download files in node js server:

API URL :- http://localhost:3000/download/your-file-name
Method :- GET

Conclusion

Node js + express rest API download file; Through this tutorial, you have learned how to download files from server in node js + express+ rest API.

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