How to download file with javascript?

Question

I want to be able to download a given file when pressing a button.The file will be provided via an API call.For now, I will have it in my local storage. So my folder is something like :

rootFolder
-JS file
-HTML file
-download file (`sample.csv`)

How can I create a download link? I have tried so far with : <a download="sample.csv"></a> I have also tried using an onclick event:

<a download="sample.csv" onclick="download()"></a>

function download|(){
   .....code that calls the `api`
}

I do not know how these 2 fit: the download API if there is one and the click event handler if you plan to do additional logic when downloading.

Answer 1

You can provide the link to this function to download the file :

function downloadURI(uri, name) 
{
    var link = document.createElement("a");
    link.download = name;
    link.href = uri;
    link.click();
}

Answer 2

since the answer from @saibbyweb does not work in all browsers as I write this, i recommend an other but similar solution, tested and working in latest (as of writing) Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, Safari, mobile Safari, mobile Chrome:

function downloadUrl(url){
    window.open(url, '_self');
}

Needless to say you could also open links in new Tabs with _blank instead of _self, but you potentially startle Popup-Blockers by opening new tabs/windows with Javascript.