System.IO.FileNotFoundException error when downloading file with "%" character using GetFolderByServerRelativeUrl REST API

Question

A file with the following name exists in OneDrive browser.

When the above file is downloaded using the following request, an error is returned.

Request:

/_api/web/GetFolderByServerRelativeUrl('%2Fpersonal%2F{my endpoint}%2FDocuments%2F9355')/files('sample%25file%20name%25.pdf')/$value

Response:

HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
...

cb
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><m:error xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/ado/2007/08/dataservices/metadata"><m:code>-2147024894, System.IO.FileNotFoundException</m:code><m:message xml:lang="e
2b
n-US">File Not Found.</m:message></m:error>
0

Is there a SharePoint REST API limitation wherein file with "%" in its name cannot be downloaded?

Answer 1

~, #, %, & , *, {, }, \, :, <, >, ?, /, |, “

Above special character is not allowed for files/folder.. you need to replace these characters for create folder or files. Reference

You have to change the file name as you are using one drive. SharePoint Library also won't allow you to upload files having above mentioned characters.

Answer 2

Based on the following reference, "%" and "#" can now be used as name for folders and files.

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/office/blogs/upcoming-changes-to-sharepoint-and-onedrive-for-business-apis-to-support-and-in-file-names/

However, there are still issues when using String-based URL APIs. I believe that GetFolderByServerRelativeUrl is a String-based URL API.

When the following API is used, file with "%" (even "#") can be downloaded.

/_api/web/GetFileByServerRelativePath(DecodedUrl=@f)/$value?@f='%2Fpersonal%2F{my endpoint}%2FDocuments%2F9355%2Fsample%25file%20name%25.pdf'