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jkaina

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InternetExplorer object (SHDocVw.dll) for IE Automation

I am working on a project where I need to automate IE.  I am writing the application in C# and controlling the browser using the InternetExplorer object (SHDocVw.dll).  So far I have been able to do everything I need to do (navigate to a particular site/page, manipulate elements on the page, populate form objects, submit forms, etc.).  However, I would like to be able to automate the process of saving files that are linked on a site.  For instance on the website are links to .pdf files, .csv files, word files, excel files, images, etc. that I need to download to the local drive.  If I attempt to access the files by their URL/Path on the website, the browser spawns the Open/Save dialog box, of which I have not been able to determine how to interact with.  And the "Always ask this" checkbox doesn't seem to make a difference.

I do not think I can use .NET's WebRequest/HttpWebRequest objects because I need to automate a login process on the site in order to access the files.  That's why I'm using IE Automation.  I cannot use WSH (Windows Scripting Host) as this application does contain other business rules and specialized functionality.

Basically my questions are:  
1.  using IE Automation (using the InternetExplorer object) can I download files (text or binary) from a site to the local machine.  Whether I interact with the Open/Save dialog box spawned by IE or access and download the files via another means, I do not care.  
2.  When IE spawns a dialog window (i.e. Open/Save, Windows Authentication, etc.) how can you interact with it (i.e. click "Save", fill in the login/password boxes, etc.).

If you know of a better way to do what I'm trying to do, please let me know.

I appreciate your help.  Thanks.
 
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Timbo87

You can pass credentials to WebClient objects.

WebClient wc = new WebClient();
wc.Credentials = new NetworkCredential("username", "password", "domain");
wc.DownloadFile("http://www.example.com/file.pdf", @"c:\file.pdf");
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ASKER

Actually, the site uses a proprietary login.  Basically it stores usernames and passwords in a database, upon login/validation, session variables are set, etc.  So it's not using windows authentication.  That's why I was trying IE Automation.  Anyhow, thank you for the response though.  I do appreciate your input.

I ended up figuring out how I could do it.  But again, thank you for the help.
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ASKER

By the way... for the curious, the way i got this to work was to use DllImport to reference UrlMon and call the UrlDownloadToFile() method.  Thanks goes out to jkr for steering me in the right direction.
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ee_ai_construct
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jkaina, I am trying to perform the same opperation of downloading files. I am encouraged by the fact that you were able to make it work. Do you mind posting a few more links on IE interaction, perhaps some of your sample code? I will have posted another question which you can respond to:  http://Q_21157773.html

Thanks!