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Public URL

To give our server access to your data file, your file needs to be available from a public URL. It does not matter how you provide access to your data file, as long as the link returns the content of your data file only. When you share a file on Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or other cloud storage, the provided link redirects to a viewer. This link cannot be resolved by our server! Your link must return the file content only. You can test a URL by entering it in a browser.

PDS - CSV Files

Public link from Dropbox #

Making a file available from Dropbox is super easy! You just need a Dropbox account. Here is an example of a CSV file:
  • Copy your CSV file to a Dropbox folder
  • Create a public shared URL
    • Browser: click the three dots behind the CSV file > Share > Share with Dropbox
    • Explorer: right click CSV file > Share
  • Click Create link
  • Click Copy link
Create Link – Dropbox
  • The link should look something like: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5e………kj/filename.csv?dl=0
  • Change ?dl=0 to ?dl=1
  • Your link now looks something like: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5e………kj/filename.csv?dl=1
  • Use the modified link as your file path to directly access your CSV file (test before you upload)
This works similar for MS Access, JSON and XML files.

Public link from Google Sheets #

It is very easy to upload and automatically synchronize your data from Google Sheets! Just follow these steps:
  • Create a public shared URL
    • Browser: open sheet > click Share button at the top right corner
    • Explorer: right click sheet > Share with Google Drive
  • Below general access select Anyone with the link
  • Make sure to select Viewer
  • Click Copy link
Share link – Google Sheets
  • Your link should look something like: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e………zE/edit?usp=sharing
  • Change /edit?usp=sharing to /export?format=csv
  • Your link now look something like: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e………zE/export?format=csv
  • Use the modified link as your file path to directly access your Google Sheet as a CSV file (test before you upload)

This makes accessing Google Sheets very simple but does not work for MS Access, JSON and XML files.

New Lines errors in Google Sheets #

A new line character results in an error as a new line character in a CSV file is regarded as the end of a CSV line and the beginning of a new one. You can either manually remove all new line characters or use the script below to remove all new line characters from your active sheet.

function removeAllNewLines() {
  // Remove all new lines from active sheet
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
  var range = sheet.getDataRange();
  var values = range.getValues();

  for (var i = 0; i < values.length; i++) {
    for (var j = 0; j < values[i].length; j++) {
      values[i][j] = values[i][j].toString().replace(/\n/g,'');
    }
  }

  range.setValues(values);
}
  • New to Google Apps Scripting? Here is an intro..

Other examples? #

You are welcome to add a comment to share alternatives to create a public link to a data file.

Notes #

  • A public link is available to anyone who has the link. Make sure your link contains no sensitive data and does not allow editing.
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Updated on 2025-02-07
XML filesSynchronization

2 Comments

  1. mads lemvig
    mads lemvig on 2024-09-23 at 6:03 pm

    I cant see the messege or connect icons i my solution I just updated to premiu

    Reply
    • Kim Leong
      Kim Leong on 2024-09-24 at 6:06 am

      Hi Mads,

      The connect button is hidden and is only available for the remote database: wpdafree.youniquedata.com

      You must enable this service first: Premium Data Services

      If you have more questions, feel free to send us a message via our contact form here: Contact

      Reply

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