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The short answer: the browser decides for itself what to do with a file: a PDF or an image opens in the window, a ZIP downloads. To force the download there are two ways: the download attribute on the link (simple, for files on the site itself) or a server header (stronger, works for a whole folder).
What the site needs
| What | What to do |
| The “download” attribute | On the link: <a href="file.pdf" download>. It works for files on the same site; some browsers ignore it for files from another address. |
| The server header | It tells the browser to treat the file as an attachment. It is done in the .htaccess of the folder where the files are. |
| When to force | For files the person wants to keep (templates, forms, installers). For a PDF to read, letting it open is friendlier. |
| What it does not fix | If the PDF “opens blank” or the download fails, that is another problem: The invoice PDF will not download. |
| Cache | After changing the rule, clear the cache: the browser may keep the old behaviour. |
Getting started
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| This rule applies to all files of those types in the folder and subfolders. If you put it in the main folder, the site’s PDFs stop opening in the browser. Use a folder just for downloads. And put the file’s type and size on the link, so whoever downloads knows what is coming. |
| For cache and header rules in general: Browser caching with .htaccess and .htaccess for PHP projects. Public files that should not be there: Files that must never be public. |
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The file still opens instead of downloading? Open a ticket with the file’s address. Open a support ticket |
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