Feature Request: Support for direct file download URLs including filenames
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- Dominant language
- Java
- Stars
- 1.1k
- Forks
- 564
- Avg merge
- 2d 2h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 29
Description
Description
It would be useful if Dataverse could provide direct file download URLs that include the filename in the URL path.
Platforms like Zenodo already implement this feature — for example:
https://zenodo.org/records/17926568/files/Batteries%20as%20Networked%20Fractal%20Energy%20Systems.pdf?download=1
This makes it possible to link to files in a user-friendly way, showing the actual filename in the link.
Current Behavior
Currently, Dataverse provides file access links using only the persistent identifier (PID), as described in the documentation:
https://guides.dataverse.org/en/6.4/api/dataaccess.html#basic-file-access
This results in URLs that do not expose the filename, such as:
https://dataverse.example.org/api/access/datafile/:persistentId/?persistentId=doi:10.xxxx/FK2/XXXXX
Proposed Enhancement
Add an option (or endpoint) that allows direct download links that include the filename in the URL, e.g.:
https://dataverse.example.org/api/access/datafile/${dataverse_id}/Filename.pdf
Use Case / Motivation
- Improves human readability of links shared outside Dataverse.
- Makes it easier to integrate Dataverse files with other systems or websites that expect descriptive file URLs.
- Aligns Dataverse with other repositories such as Zenodo that already offer this feature.
Thanks,
Alfredo Cosco
p.s. Original discussion: https://groups.google.com/g/dataverse-community/c/MFh2ugMUHxU/m/Kl9dk0p0CAAJ
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with the documented Basic File Access endpoint at guides.dataverse.org/en/6.4/api/dataaccess.html#basic-file-access and compare its PID-only URL with the proposed filename-based endpoint. Determine the URL shape and filename-handling behavior, then document and verify that direct downloads remain accessible through the new form.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- java
- Domain
- api, backend
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100