Serve Remote PDF Files as Dynamic Downloads
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Easily create an API endpoint to fetch a PDF from any URL and serve it as a downloadable attachment with a dynamically generated filename. Streamline the delivery of remote documents directly to your users or applications.
About This Workflow
This n8n workflow empowers you to transform external PDF links into direct download experiences. By setting up a simple webhook trigger, you can fetch any publicly accessible PDF file from a remote server. The workflow then intelligently processes this binary data and responds to the initial request by delivering the PDF as a downloadable attachment. Crucially, it dynamically generates a user-friendly filename, ensuring that each download is clearly identifiable with a date-stamped name. This solution is perfect for creating custom download portals or integrating remote documents into your existing systems with ease.
Key Features
- Webhook Trigger: Instantly initiate PDF fetching and serving via a simple HTTP GET request.
- Remote File Fetching: Reliably retrieve binary PDF files from any specified external URL.
- Dynamic Filenames: Automatically generate unique, date-stamped filenames for downloaded PDFs.
- Direct Attachment Serving: Force browsers/clients to download the file rather than display it inline.
- Binary Response Handling: Optimized for seamless handling and serving of binary data.
How To Use
- Configure the "On GET request" node:
- Set the
pathparameter to your desired endpoint, e.g.,download-pdf. - Ensure
Response Modeis set toRespond to Webhook Node.
- Set the
- Update the "Fetch binary file" node:
- Replace the
urlwith the direct link to the PDF file you wish to serve. - Verify that
Response FormatunderResponseoptions is set toFile.
- Replace the
- Customize "Respond with attachment" node (Optional):
- Adjust the
filenamein thecontent-dispositionheader if you want a different naming convention. The current setup dynamically adds the current date. - Confirm
Respond Withis set toBinary Data.
- Adjust the
- Activate the workflow: Once configured, activate the workflow to make your new download endpoint live.
Apps Used
Workflow JSON
{
"id": "f15af1bc-d310-4730-9372-578e6f38164a",
"name": "Serve Remote PDF Files as Dynamic Downloads",
"nodes": 6,
"category": "Operations",
"status": "active",
"version": "1.0.0"
}Note: This is a sample preview. The full workflow JSON contains node configurations, credentials placeholders, and execution logic.
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ID: f15af1bc-d310...
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