Setting up file download

  • 29/10/2025
  • 5 minutes to read

The file download feature enables automatic download of documents by connecting to the Continia Document Output file download web service in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. It ensures reliable file handling in environments where direct access to local storage is restricted or unavailable.

Just as external access to printers located on company premises can be limited in cloud or hybrid environments (as mentioned in Setting up the print server), access to local file systems for storing documents isn't guaranteed. To address this, Document Output features a file queue for documents that need to be downloaded.

When the file download feature is enabled and configured in the Continia Document Output Service, documents that are added to the file queue are automatically downloaded and saved to a specified folder, provided that the folder is accessible.

Recommendations for using file download

We recommend that you follow the guidelines below when setting up and using the file download feature:

  • Install on a stable computer: Choose a desktop computer that remains powered on and connected to the network. If the computer is turned off or moved to a location without access to, for example, a network drive, download jobs will fail and must be manually restarted.
  • Understand web services: Ensure that you have a basic understanding of how Business Central web services work and are accessed.

To set up file download

To add a connection to the Document Output file download web service in Business Central manually (that is, without using the setup assistant), follow these steps:

  1. Follow the guide in Configuring the Document Output Service to enter the Service Manager setup.
  2. On the File Download tab, select Connect to Business Central web service.
  3. Select Use the default folder if the path specified in BC isn’t found if you want to use the default folder in case the path specified in Business Central isn't found.
  4. Under Default folder, specify the default folder if you chose to use this in step 3 above.
  5. Under Web service connections, select Add to open the Add web service page.
  6. Under Name, enter a name for the connection – for example, the name of the company. This is only for internal use.
  7. In the Business Central web client, search (Search) for and select Web Services.
  8. In the list of web services, locate CDO File Download Web Service, and then copy its URL from the SOAP URL column.
  9. In the Service Manager, on the Add web service page, paste the copied URL into the Url to web service field.
  10. Under Credentials, authenticate the Document Output Service using either OAuth or a Business Central user with a generated web service access key. For more information, see the following links:

    Note

    OAuth is required in Business Central 2022 Release Wave 1 (version 20) or later.

  11. Following authentication, select Test connection.

    Note

    If you're using OAuth and receive an error message, check that you can successfully generate an access token from the OAuth details dialog. Also check that your Azure application has been registered in Business Central, that user groups have been assigned to it, and that permissions have been signed in accordance with the guide.

  12. If no error messages are displayed, a connection to the web service has been established. Select OK.
  13. Select Add to add the web service and return to the Settings page.
  14. At the bottom of the page, select Save to update your settings.
  15. Select OK to close the dialog.

The file download feature is now connected to the Document Output file download web service in Business Central, enabling it to start downloading documents automatically.

For instructions on how to run the service, see the section Running the Document Output Service.