# Downloading a file from dashboard only work if I have the Node-RED editor open in my browser too?

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/downloading-a-file-from-dashboard-only-work-if-i-have-the-node-red-editor-open-in-my-browser-too/100354>\
**Category:** Dashboard\
**Tags:** dashboard-2\
**Created:** [10 February 2026 17:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/downloading-a-file-from-dashboard-only-work-if-i-have-the-node-red-editor-open-in-my-browser-too/100354 "2026-02-10T17:19:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [10 February 2026 19:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/downloading-a-file-from-dashboard-only-work-if-i-have-the-node-red-editor-open-in-my-browser-too/100354/2 "2026-02-10T19:06:23Z")

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because that download node is specifically for downloading from the node-red editor. Its JS code runs inside the Node-RED editor so when its closed, it doesnt work.

to download a file from dashboard, you need to set up a link that points to a served file.

So either put the CSV in a served location or serve it using http-in ~ load file ~ http-response

Here is a post that will get you partially there with the UI side: [Downloading Files with ui-template - #6 by Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/downloading-files-with-ui-template/88193/6)

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