Link to “Download a Copy” in SharePoint 2010

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.

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