AS3 FileReference Download Doesn't Work in IE/FF (Works fine in Chrome)

Question

I am generating an Excel file with Java on the back-end and it seems to work just fine in Chrome but for whatever reason it doesn't in FF/IE. I have the very latest of Flash in each browser listed from this site: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/find-version-flash-player.html

I'm sending XML to the server, it is generating the Excel and sending it to the Flash. I'm performing the export by doing the following:

private var _fileRef:FileReference;

private function exportReport(e:MouseEvent):void
{       
    _fileRef = new FileReference();
    _fileRef.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, excelExportCompleteHandler);
    _fileRef.download(new URLRequest("exportReport"), "report.xlsx");

    function excelExportCompleteHandler(e:Event):void {
        trace('complete');
    }
}

I tried every possible error and handler on it but nothing fails so I put a breakpoint in the complete handler and noticed there is an I/O error just it's not happening on the IOErrorEvent.IO_ERROR handler.

Left hand side is a successful download, right hand side is a failure.

Answer 1

I asked this question on Adobe's forum and came up with my own workaround. It's not ideal but for others interested: http://forums.adobe.com/message/4983605