How to write a local .txt with Javascript

Question

I want to write a .txt file using the javascript console in IE. I already have the strings that I would like to write on the file; so, what I would like to do is:

var refTab=document.getElementById("historymatch_tb0");
var  ttl;
for ( var i = 0; row = refTab.rows[i]; i++) 
{
   row = refTab.rows[i];
   for ( var j = 0; col = row.cells[j]; j++ )
   {
       WriteInFile (col.innerHTML);
   }

}

What I don't have is the function WriteInFile because I triyed this:

 function WriteInFile (a)
 {
  var fso = new ActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject");
  var filename = "c:\\Users\\Riccardo\\a.txt";
  var f = fso.OpenTextFile(filename, 2, true); 
  f.WriteLine(a);
  f.Close();
  }

this doesn't works, The script doesn't give me errors but the file is empty and The console shows the word: undefined! Where is the problem? Thanks!

You can check this on SO stackoverflow.com/questions/11101641/… — Ashoka Mondal
– Ashoka Mondal, Commented Dec 21, 2013 at 15:17

agrafix · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-21 15:18:50Z

1

Since HTML5 this is possible. See http://www.w3.org/TR/file-writer-api/#the-filesaver-interface and http://eligrey.com/blog/post/saving-generated-files-on-the-client-side

answered Dec 21, 2013 at 15:18

agrafix

7751 gold badge5 silver badges16 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

7 Comments

JJJ Over a year ago

It's not exactly the same, is it? The HTML5 method is for generating downloadable files. The OP tries to save the file directly to the hard drive without user interaction.

agrafix Over a year ago

True, I just wanted to point out that there actually are (crossbrowser) ways to write files in js.

agrafix Over a year ago

@MartinaF it's a way cleaner approach to offer the user to download the file, rather than writing it to disk. Otherwise you'd have to ensure that the directories exist... If you just need to persist some data between the pageloads, look at LocalStorage

Martina Over a year ago

@agrafix I don't want to download the file... I want to write words in my existing file. (it's a personal use of the file)

agrafix Over a year ago

How about collecting everything you need into LocalStorage and then Download/Save it to your desired location?

|

kikito · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-22 12:25:10Z

0

If I am understanding you correctly, what you are really asking is for a way to persist information in js between sessions. I understand how a file looks great for that task. But since browsers have a very limited access to the filesystem, that is not ideal.

Instead of using a local file, you can persist the information you need in the browser's Web Storage. You can come later and retrieve it. See http://www.html5rocks.com/en/features/storage for details

answered Dec 22, 2013 at 12:25

kikito

53k34 gold badges156 silver badges198 bronze badges

2 Comments

Martina Over a year ago

Hi, thanks for your answer! Is there any way to save in my filesystem this Web Storage?

kikito Over a year ago

Your web storage is an internal database in your browser. You can't save it to the regular filesystem, but you can still read it, show it on the website, and use it, even if you close the window and open a new one.

MaxStoun · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-21 15:58:09Z

-1

Maybe it's some browser issue ? I tried in IE9 - it works correctly (see jsfiddle - it's your code)

 var a = "Hello";
 WriteInFile(a);

http://jsfiddle.net/nb5N7/1/

But, also I must enable not safe activeX execution

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/41b3a68b-dd16-48a8-b86c-02a1e543081c/activexobjectscriptingfilesystemobject-automation-server-cant-create-object (see answer)

UPD: why you are minused me ? UPD2:

for ( var i = 0; row = refTab.rows[i]; i++)

maybe possible issue here ? you should write

 var i = 0; i < refTab.rows.lenght; i++

instead of

 for ( var i = 0; row = refTab.rows[i]; i++)

and, also, try add alert(1); to for cycle (to check is it work correctly)

edited Dec 21, 2013 at 15:58

answered Dec 21, 2013 at 15:21

MaxStoun

394 bronze badges

1 Comment

MaxStoun Over a year ago

I mean not exactly you

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to write a local .txt with Javascript

3 Answers 3

7 Comments

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

7 Comments

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related