Directly open a Local or Network file from dbFront

Question

I would like my users to be able to click on a link in the data and directly open a Local or Network file. How can I do this?

I have also attempted to use the action button feature to open a network file share using the UNC folder name without success.

Answer 1

NOTE: The OpenURL action button in dbFront 1.2.2.1247 now supports direct download of local file:// resources. For more details see Download and Open Local Network resources

Most browsers will block your efforts because it represents a significant security risk.
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For more details see:

• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1369147/linking-a-unc-network-drive-on-an-html-page
• ​https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5796215/an-url-to-a-windows-shared-folder
• ​https://stackoverflow.com/a/1369164

​There are a number of hacky attempts to make it work but most browsers will make this difficult.

To see the problem:

• Create a new OpenURL Action button,
• Set the URL to: file://C:\YourFolder\YourFile.txt,
• Set the Destination to: "Redirect" and save the button,
• Open the browser console (F12),
• Click on your new Button,
• The console will show the error: "​Not allowed to load local resource: file:///C:\YourFolder\YourFile.txt"

You can experiment with other path options or try the browser extensions below.
​
​If you are willing to change the Browser configurations or install extensions for your users, then you should be able to find a workable option but it won't be a nice clean solution.

Some promising browser extentions are:

• Chrome: Enable local file links
• Chrome: Local Explorer - File Manager on web browser
• FireFox: Local Filesystem Links

I would be tempted to go back to the drawing board and look for alternatives.