Turn documents into public URLs for workflow APIs
Use GetFileURL when a document export, office file, spreadsheet, presentation, or text attachment needs a direct URL for another system to fetch.
Office files often need direct access before they can be converted or parsed.
A document API usually fetches the URL server-side. It needs the original file bytes and headers, not a cloud editor preview page.
DOCX contracts
Pass generated contracts or templates to e-signature, CRM, or document conversion APIs.
XLSX exports
Host spreadsheet exports long enough for reporting, parsing, or import workflows.
PPTX and text files
Use direct URLs for generated presentations, transcripts, markdown, CSV, and support documents.
Preserve document type so the destination can process the file.
Many document APIs branch by content type and extension. A generic binary response or HTML page can break parsing.
Content type
Keep the document MIME type visible in both response metadata and delivery headers.
Filename
Use meaningful names so destination logs, imports, and customer workflows are diagnosable.
Expiry
Keep the URL available through async conversion, import, or review queues.
Use the PDF page when the source is already a PDF.
Documents and PDFs have overlapping workflows, but the failure modes differ. Documents often involve editing formats, conversion, and office MIME types.
Use document-to-URL
For DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, TXT, CSV, and generated office exports.
Use PDF-to-URL
For invoices, contracts, reports, and document processors that require `application/pdf`.
Use delete controls
Remove document access after the conversion, import, or review job completes.
Copy the same upload shape into code or workflow steps
Use the same endpoint from a shell, backend route, worker, or automation code step. Upload the file, set expiry, then map the returned URL.
cURL
upload examplecurl -X POST https://api.getfileurl.com/v1/files \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer $GETFILEURL_KEY' \
-F 'file=@contract.docx' \
-F 'expires_in=24h'JavaScript
upload exampleconst form = new FormData();
form.append("file", file);
form.append("expires_in", "24h");
const res = await fetch("https://api.getfileurl.com/v1/files", {
method: "POST",
headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.GETFILEURL_KEY}` },
body: form,
});
const { url, file_id } = await res.json();
return { url, file_id };Answers before the workflow breaks
What document types can become URLs?
The page targets workflow documents such as DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, CSV, TXT, and generated exports that another API needs to fetch.
Is this a document conversion API?
No. GetFileURL focuses on hosting the document long enough for another service to fetch, parse, convert, or import it.
Why not pass a Google Docs or Drive link?
Those links can open preview pages or permission prompts. A document API usually needs direct file bytes at the URL.