How do I export text data to csv using MVC 3?

Question

I need to export text data to csv in MVC3. I do the following:

VIEW:

$(".export").click(function() {
    $.get("@Url.Action("Export","Log")");
});

CONTROLLER:

    public ActionResult Export()
    {
        var sb = new StringBuilder();

        var list = this.systemLogRepository.GetFilterList(
            null, this.ControllerContext.RequestContext.HttpContext.Request.QueryString, null);

        foreach (var item in list)
        {
            sb.AppendFormat(
                "{0},{1},{2},{3},{4}", item.Machine.Name, item.PackageID, item.ErrorDescription, item.OccurenceTime, Environment.NewLine);
        }

        return this.File(new UTF8Encoding().GetBytes(sb.ToString()), "text/csv", string.Format("Log-{0}.csv", DateTime.Now.ToString("g").Replace("/","-").Replace(":","_").Replace(" ", "-")));
    }

This returns the content but does not pop up a window with Save As and Open options ?? thanks

Can you try it out in different browsers?

gideon
– gideon

2012-10-09 07:47:16 +00:00
Commented Oct 9, 2012 at 7:47 — gideon
– gideon, Commented Oct 9, 2012 at 7:47

Darin Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-09 07:47:14Z

9

Don't use AJAX to download a file. Use a normal link or a button:

@Html.ActionLink("export to CSV", "Export", "Log")

Now you could get rid of the javascript bit. The reason you cannot use AJAX to download files is because the content will indeed be transferred to the client but you cannot open a Save As dialog from javascript.

answered Oct 9, 2012 at 7:47

Darin Dimitrov

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3 Comments

Darin Dimitrov Over a year ago

Sometimes people are so overwhelmed with this jQuery thing that they simply forget how the web worked before jQuery and even before javascript. It always reminds me this cartoon: i.sstatic.net/ssRUr.gif

TCM Over a year ago

@DarinDimitrov: Your cartoon made me kept laughing continously for 5 mins!! :D

mmssaann Over a year ago

Im using asp.net mvc, but not razor. here what is the replacement for actionlink that can get data from controller and creates file without using ajax?

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