The Extensions Downloader is a Quickbase Extension that opens a file stored in your cloud storage (Amazon S3, Dropbox, or Egnyte) from a link in your Quickbase app. Each link gets one file. Depending on how the link is written, the file downloads or opens in the browser.
You usually don't set it up on its own. When an extension such as XL Docs, Exact Forms Plus, PDF Stamper, or Document Portal saves files to cloud storage, the installation wizard adds a View File field next to the file's key. That field is an Extensions Downloader link. You can also build your own links; see Extensions Downloader parameters.
What it does
One file per link. It doesn't zip files together or download several at once. To download many files from a record together, use Document Portal.
Reads from the storage connected to your account. The Amazon S3, Dropbox, or Egnyte account you connected in the installation wizard is saved on your Quickbase Extensions account. The link names the file; the credentials are never part of the link.
Read-only. It doesn't upload, rename, move, or delete files.
Cloud storage only. Files in Quickbase file attachment fields open from Quickbase as usual and don't use the Extensions Downloader.
Where links come from
The installation wizard adds these fields when you choose cloud storage for an extension. Each View File field is a Formula - URL field that opens in a new window, and it shows a link only when its key field has a value.
Extension | Storage | Key field | Link field (link text) |
|---|---|---|---|
XL Docs | Amazon S3 Dropbox | S3 Key Dropbox Key | View File (Download from S3) View File (Download from Dropbox) |
Exact Forms Plus | Amazon S3 Dropbox Egnyte | S3 Key Dropbox Key Egnyte File ID | View File (Download from S3) View File (Download from Dropbox) View File (Download from Egnyte) |
PDF Stamper | Amazon S3 | S3 Key | View File (Download from S3) |
Document Portal | Amazon S3, Dropbox, or Egnyte | Cloud Key on the file details table | View File (View File) on the file details table |
For XL Docs, Exact Forms Plus, and PDF Stamper, the fields go on the table you set up. With a repository table, the Amazon S3 fields go on the repository table instead (see Repository table step), and bulk setups add them to the batch processing table. Each extension's Finish page lists exactly where: XL Docs finish, Exact Forms Plus finish, PDF Stamper finish, and Document Portal Finish.
Note
XL Docs' own secure download link, which XL Docs can return when it creates a document, isn't an Extensions Downloader link. This article covers only View File fields and links you build to the Extensions Downloader.
What happens when you click a link
The link opens in the browser. The wizard's View File fields open in a new window or tab.
The Extensions Downloader checks that the link has the required parameters and that your app is authorized for a Quickbase Extension that works with it.
It gets the file from your storage with the credentials saved on your account and sends it to the browser.
By default, the file downloads. A link that you write with forcedownload=false asks the browser to open the file instead, which works for file types the browser can show, such as PDFs and images. The wizard's View File links always download. See forcedownload.
If something goes wrong, the page shows a short message in red instead. Look it up in Extensions Downloader messages and troubleshooting.
The downloaded file's name
Storage | File name you get |
|---|---|
Amazon S3 | The file name the extension saved with the file when it uploaded it. If there isn't one (for example, a file you uploaded to S3 yourself), the S3 key is used, including any folder path in it. |
Dropbox | The file name in the key. For a Dropbox file ID key (id:...), the file's name in Dropbox. |
Egnyte | The file's name in Egnyte. |
Use simple file names: letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, underscores, and periods. Names with commas or other special characters may not download correctly in some browsers.
Who can open a link
An Extensions Downloader link opens the file for anyone who has the link. The person doesn't need to sign in to Quickbase or have access to the app or the record. The link works inside or outside Quickbase, for example pasted into an email or opened in another browser, and it doesn't expire.
A link stops working only when:
your app is no longer authorized for a Quickbase Extension that works with the Extensions Downloader,
the file is moved, renamed, or deleted in your storage, or the key in the link changes, or
the storage credentials saved on your account change or lose access to the file.
Important
Treat a link like the file itself. Don't put it in fields, reports, emails, or notifications that people who shouldn't get the file can see. Use Quickbase field permissions to hide the View File field, and the key field it's built from, from roles that shouldn't open the files.
What you need
An authorized app. The app the link is in must be authorized for a Quickbase Extension that works with the Extensions Downloader, such as XL Docs, Exact Forms Plus, PDF Stamper, or Document Portal. There's nothing extra to buy or turn on.
Connected storage. Your Amazon S3, Dropbox, or Egnyte account must be connected in the installation wizard.
Your server URL. Links start with your Extensions Downloader server URL, created by the installation wizard. Copy it from a View File field the wizard created.
Get started
Run the installation wizard. Start with the installation wizard overview. Connect your Amazon S3, Dropbox, or Egnyte account when the wizard asks for it.
Set up the extension that saves your files. Choose cloud storage in the extension's step, then check its Finish page for the key and View File fields: XL Docs finish, Exact Forms Plus finish, PDF Stamper finish, or Document Portal Setup and Document Portal Finish.
Add the field to your form or report. Put the View File field where users need it, if it isn't there already.
Change or build links with parameters. To open files in the browser, point at a different bucket or folder, or build a link by hand, see Extensions Downloader parameters.
Fix problems. If a link shows a message instead of the file, see Extensions Downloader messages and troubleshooting.