How to Retrieve a Zendesk Attachment as Base64 Instead of Auto-Downloading

Discover how to fetch a `Zendesk` attachment in base64 format using Salesforce Apex code, while avoiding automatic downloads. Follow our step-by-step guide for a smooth implementation!
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How to Retrieve a Zendesk Attachment as Base64 Instead of Auto-Downloading

Hi there! Are you having trouble getting attachments from Zendesk and need them in base64 format? You’re not alone. This is a common situation for developers working with Salesforce and Zendesk integration, as the default behavior often leads to an automatic download of files instead of providing them in a more flexible format like base64.

In this guide, we’ll dive into how to effectively solve this problem using Salesforce Apex code. We’ll break down the solution into manageable steps, so it’s easy to follow along. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid method for retrieving Zendesk attachments in the desired format.

The Problem: Auto-Download Instead of Base64

When trying to retrieve an attachment from Zendesk, many developers notice that instead of receiving the file as a base64 string, the system initiates a download. This can be quite inconvenient, especially if you need to use the file in your application directly.

Example Code That Didn't Work

You might have tried the following code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

While the intention is clear, the response you're getting tends to be wrapped in HTML, preventing you from accessing the raw content.

The Solution: Using Pagereference for Base64 Retrieval

To obtain the attachment in the required base64 format instead of downloading it, you can use the Pagereference class along with string manipulation techniques. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step:

Step 1: Capture the URL Response

First, you need to grab the HTML response. The critical part here is to isolate the URL from the HTML response. Use the substring method to extract the link that you need.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Authorize Your Domain

Before proceeding, ensure you’ve authorized your Zendesk domain (https://xxx.zdusercontent.com) in the Remote Site Settings within your Salesforce org. This step is crucial for allowing background calls to external URLs.

Step 3: Use Pagereference to Retrieve Content

Now, create a Pagereference object using the extracted URL and call the getContentAsPDF method to retrieve the attachment:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 4: Insert the Attachment

Finally, take the blob content and insert it as an Attachment in Salesforce. Here’s the code for that:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Summary

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can retrieve attachments from Zendesk in a format that’s better suited for your needs. Understanding how to use string manipulation and the Pagereference class opens up new possibilities for handling attachments and data integration tasks in Salesforce.

Now, each time you encounter an attachment retrieval from Zendesk, you'll be prepared with a straightforward method to convert the content into base64 format without relying on automatic downloads!

Feel free to share your thoughts or any additional questions in the comments below. Happy coding!

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Get Zendesk attachment as base64 instead auto download, salesforce, attachment, apex, zendesk