Excel (.xls) File Downloads via an API Using Postman and Other Techniques

Downloading an Excel File using Postman

Postman Script

// Define the API endpoint and Authorization token
const apiEndpoint = 'https://api.example.com/download/report';
const authToken = 'your_authorization_token';

// Set up the request headers
pm.sendRequest({
    url: apiEndpoint,
    method: 'GET',
    header: {
        'Authorization': `Bearer ${authToken}`,
        'Accept': 'application/vnd.ms-excel',
    },
    responseType: 'arraybuffer',
}, function (err, res) {
    if (err) {
        console.log(err);
    } else {
        // Save the response as a .xls file
        var blob = new Blob([res.stream], { type: 'application/vnd.ms-excel' });
        var link = document.createElement('a');
        link.href = window.URL.createObjectURL(blob);
        link.download = 'report.xls';
        link.click();
    }
});

Downloading an Excel File using Python

Python Script

import requests

# Define the API endpoint and Authorization token
api_endpoint = 'https://api.example.com/download/report'
auth_token = 'your_authorization_token'

# Set up the request headers
headers = {
    'Authorization': f'Bearer {auth_token}',
    'Accept': 'application/vnd.ms-excel'
}

# Send the GET request
response = requests.get(api_endpoint, headers=headers)

# Save the response content as a .xls file
if response.status_code == 200:
    with open('report.xls', 'wb') as file:
        file.write(response.content)
    print("File downloaded successfully")
else:
    print(f"Failed to download file: {response.status_code}")

Common Questions and Answers for Downloading Excel Files via an API

1. What is the best method for downloading an Excel file from an API with Postman?
2. The best method is to use pm.sendRequest to submit a GET request to the API endpoint and appropriately handle the binary response.
3. Can I automate the downloading procedure with Postman?
4. Yes, you can automate it by establishing a collection and utilizing Postman's scripting features to manage the request and download process.
5. How can I view the downloaded Excel file in Postman?
6. Postman does not support viewing Excel files directly. You must save the file and then open it with an appropriate application, such as Microsoft Excel.
7. Is it feasible to download Excel files with Python?
8. Yes, you may use Python's requests package to send a GET request and save the file with file handling routines.
9. What are the advantages of using Node.js to download Excel files?
10. Node.js enables automatic and scheduled downloads, interaction with larger applications, and efficient handling of HTTP requests.
11. How do cloud-based technologies such as AWS Lambda facilitate file downloads?
12. They offer a scalable and serverless environment for handling file downloads, which reduces the burden on local servers and enables event-driven automation.
13. Can I schedule automatic file downloads at specified times?
14. Yes, you can use server-side scripts or cloud functions to schedule downloads or trigger them depending on specified events.
15. Which Node.js libraries are useful for obtaining files from an API?
16. In Node.js, the 'axios' and'request' libraries are often used to send HTTP requests and handle file downloads.
17. Do I need specific permission to retrieve files from an API?
18. Yes, you will normally require an Authorization token issued by the API to ensure secure and allowed access to the file download endpoint.

Final Thoughts About Excel File Downloads

To successfully download Excel (.xls) files from an API, you must first comprehend and use the necessary tools. While Postman is handy for initiating downloads, alternative approaches like as Python and Node.js offer more flexibility and automation. Using these technologies allows you to efficiently handle and process Excel files, providing seamless integration into your workflows and applications.