A very frustrating point came about when I needed to share an Excel document from a SharePoint 2010 document library and NOT allow users to edit the online version. Basically, I needed to force them to Download a Copy before they can use the Excel document. This prevents users from accidentally making changes or removing the original copy.
A work around was to create a link to directly evoke the Download a Copy drop-down menu item.
http://site/_layouts/download.aspx?SourceUrl=url-of-document-in-library
Replace the bold text in the above link with your own sites information and you should be set. This work around would also work on external sites that may be experience a double-authentication prompt to traditional Download a Copy route.
3 thoughts on “Link to “Download a Copy” in SharePoint 2010”
Thanks 🙂 I was looking for this and your example was very quick and easy for me to use
I’m trying to use it with a “https://” site instead of http, it does not work, or probably i’m doing something wrong.
this is the address
https://xx.mysociety.com/sites/YYY_YYYY_MainFolder/SubFolder/Shared%20Documents/Reporting%20FYXX/SubsubFolder/Period/ReportFileName.xlsm
I don’t understand how to apply your syntax.
Which is the “site”?
thank you
regards
In your example, try ‘https://xx.mysociety.com/’.
So the full URL may be https://xx.mysociety.com/_layouts/download.aspx?SourceUrl='https://xx.mysociety.com/sites/YYY_YYYY_MainFolder/SubFolder/Shared%20Documents/Reporting%20FYXX/SubsubFolder/Period/ReportFileName.xlsm‘