Question
softtech
TR
Last activity: 12 Aug 2025 11:31 EDT
How can I preview generated .docx file
I need to implement the following workflow in Pega:
User selects a Word template → Pega fills template tags → Generated .docx opens directly in the user’s local Microsoft Word for preview, without saving or attaching it in Pega.
Current OOTB options (pxGenerateWordDocument, pxGenerateAndAttachDocument, DisplayAttachFile / sendFile) either save or download the file, but none open it directly in Word without saving.
Questions:
Is there a Pega method to open a generated .docx directly in local Word without saving it?
If not, what is the recommended approach to implement this preview flow?
HCA Healthcare
US
No, Pega cannot directly launch Microsoft Word on a user’s machine from the browser. Browsers won’t let a web app start local programs. Pega can only stream or attach the file.
Use the Word URL handler. Generate the docx bytes with pxGenerateWordDocument. Upload the bytes to a repository like S3 or Azure via Pega Repository API and create a short-lived presigned HTTPS URL. Render a button that calls openUrlInWindow with ms-word:ofe|u|<urlencoded-presigned-url>. Word will open the document for preview without saving it in Pega. Set URL expiry to minutes and log access.
If you cannot use cloud storage, expose a secure token based endpoint that streams the bytes from memory and expires fast. Point ms-word:ofe|u| at that HTTPS endpoint. Gate it with auth and purge any temp state.
If policy requires everything to stay local, use attended RPA. Send the bytes to Pega Robot Runtime, save to the user temp folder, and start WINWORD.EXE. That is the only way to truly open locally without any web link.