How do I get a direct download link to a public file in SharePoint online?

Question

I need to download a file which is in SharePoint online programmatically. The link I have is in this format:

https://xxxxx.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/EkcBNxpXTKZJrg3xdBWlFBEBlgVj4FInALm_JVs4kYfK8w?e=tPfJVv

All the posts I can find refer to editing the URL from guestaccess.aspx to download.aspx, but that doesn't work for a URL in this format.

I'm trying to download the file in an AutoIT script, which will be available to a lot of users.

The link allows the file to be downloaded, but only by clicking the download button in Excel Online after the file is opened in a browser.

Is there any way I can do this? Amending the URL? Creating a different type of link in SharePoint? Or using any API?

Answer 1

Thanks for the response Lee_MSFT. I couldn't get your suggestion to work, but I got an answer on another forum.

I replaced everything after the last '?' with 'download=1'. Then the link can be used in my code to pull the file down.

Thanks for your help.

Answer 2

When you request the anonymous link, user will be redirect to a URL with sourcedoc parameter, then you could download the file by download.aspx with UnqiueId parameter.

`https://xxxxx.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/EkcBNxpXTKZJrg3xdBWlFBEBlgVj4FInALm_JVs4kYfK8w?e=tPfJVv`

    ?sourcedoc=%7B86036808-bc2f-4c4f-8c02-44f2f9fec10b%7D&action=default

    https://tenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Developer/_layouts/15/download.aspx?UniqueId=sourcedoc=%7B86036808-bc2f-4c4f-8c02-44f2f9fec10b%7D

Answer 3

I have used 'download=1' to direct download a public file in SharePoint. It is working fine but this is working for .docx, .xlsx & .zip files only, it is not working for images & .txt file. So i have used following option & it is working for all files.

Public URL: https://xxxxx.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/EkcBNxpXTKZJrg3xdBWlFBEBlgVj4FInALm_JVs4kYfK8w?e=tPfJVv

you need to get file Unique id from this URL i.e. EkcBNxpXTKZJrg3xdBWlFBEBlgVj4FInALm_JVs4kYfK8w

and update URL to:

https://xxxxx.sharepoint.com/sites/Developer/_layouts/15/download.aspx?share=EkcBNxpXTKZJrg3xdBWlFBEBlgVj4FInALm_JVs4kYfK8w

You will also need to update the name of the Sharepoint site in the URL above (here: "Developer") to match the site your file is located in.