How to Create a Link to Download File(s) in SharePoint

If you currently have files or documents displayed on your SharePoint sites using ShortPoint Design Elements and you want your users to automatically download them, instead of opening them in a new tab, then this article is for you. 

This article will show you simple steps on how to automatically download files when a viewer clicks it:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Prerequisites
• Step-by-step Tutorial
  • Step 1. Edit the ShortPoint web part
  • Step 2: Copy the URL
    • For Connected Design Elements:
    • For Static Design Elements:
  • Step 3: Switch to Grid Mode
  • Step 4: Paste the copied URL
  • Step 5: Save

Prerequisites

• You must have the latest version of ShortPoint installed on your SharePoint environment.
• You must be a ShortPoint Designer with an active license.
• You must already have a Design Element with the link option on your page. For this guide, we will use the File List Design Element, but you can use any Design Element with the link option.
• You must already have a SharePoint Document Library with files/documents. For this guide, we will use the Document Library below:

Step-by-step Tutorial

Follow the steps to learn how to create a link to download file(s) in SharePoint:

Step 1. Edit the ShortPoint web part

Go to the SharePoint page you want to use and click Edit:

Then, select the ShortPoint tag:

Click the pencil icon:

Step 2: Copy the URL

Copy the URL that corresponds to the Design Element you are using:

For Connected Design Elements:

https://spsite/_layouts/download.aspx?SourceUrl=#FileRef

Where:

• spsite - should be replaced with your site URL.

For example: 

https://mycompany.sharepoint.com/_layouts/download.aspx?SourceUrl=#FileRef

For Static Design Elements:

https://spsite/_layouts/download.aspx?SourceUrl=/relativepath/filename.file extension

Where:

• spsite - should be replaced with your site URL.
• relativepath - should be replaced with the folder name where your file is located.
• filename - should be replaced with the name of your file.
• file extension - should be replaced with the file's extension.

For example: 

https://mycompany.sharepoint.com/_layouts/download.aspx?SourceUrl=/PDF%20Guides/ShortPoint_Intro_Guide.pdf

Step 3: Switch to Grid Mode

Click the Switch to Grid Mode icon:

NOTEThe ShortPoint Connect feature is currently only available in Grid Mode. 

Step 4: Paste the copied URL

NOTEBefore proceeding, make sure you already have a Design Element with the link option on your page. For this guide, we will use the File List Design Element, but you can use any Design Element with the link option.

Look for the Design Element you want to use and click the cogwheel icon:

Paste the copied URL in the Link field:

NOTEFor static Design Elements, you will need to paste the copied URL for each item.

Then, click Update:

Step 5: Save

Click the eye icon to see your page in real-time:

Then, click Save to apply all your changes:

That's it! You now know how to create downloadable files. Try it out on your own pages now.

Related articles:

• How to Map File Type Icons for Document Library Files Inside Folders
• How to Map Document / File Type Icon when Using SharePoint Document Library REST API 
• How to Show Both Files and Folders of the Document Library in your ShortPoint Element
• How to Show Only Recent Documents in ShortPoint Element
• Horizontal Alignment for ShortPoint Lists