Using Content Libraries for files other than images

[mbespartochnyy]

I'm trying to wrap my head around Content Libraries and their intended use. Qlik Sense documentation says:

"Qlik Sense only uses image files, but you can upload any file type with an extension that exists in the white list for content libraries."

I get how uploading images to Content Library can be useful. Images can be used in multiple places in Qlik Sense, but what about other types of files?

Has anyone used Content Libraries to store files other than images? What's a good use case of a Content Library outside of storing shared images?

Thanks,

Mikhail B.

[QFabian]

HI, found this article :

https://help.qlik.com/en-US/sense-admin/September2020/Subsystems/DeployAdministerQSE/Content/Sense_D...

[QFabian]

it says :

Qlik Sense only uses image files, but you can upload any file type with an extension that exists in the white list for content libraries. 

[mbespartochnyy]

Yup, I mentioned that in my question. I'd like to know what use cases there are for using Content Libraries to store files other than images.

[QFabian]

yes, i just try uploading a pdf file

then uses the address from the library object in QMC, in this case :

/content/Fotos/Modernize_BI_Experience-StrategyDataSheet.pdf

and i could use it, adding localhost name:

SERVERNAME/content/fotos/Modernize_BI_Experience-StrategyDataSheet.pdf, 

then with one clic, it send me to chrome and opens the file

[mbespartochnyy]

That's interesting, but still doesn't quite answer my question. My question is not "How does that thing work?", my question is "Why did Qlik built a concept of Content Library and how is it supposed to be used for files outside of images?" What's the purpose?

[mbespartochnyy · Accepted solution]

Found the answer! Based on these two videos:

• Using Content Libraries as a Shared Folder for Data - Part 1 
• Using Content Libraries as a Shared Folder for Data - Part 2 

It looks like outside of storing images, Content Libraries can be used to store shared data files.

Additionally, based comments from @QFabian  and some testing I've done, it's possible to use URLs that are created when content is uploaded to make available documents or files relevant to content of the app to users from within the app.

Use Case #1: Shared Data Folder

The videos I linked do an excellent job explaining when that could be useful and even showing how to setup, secure, and permission Content Libraries and corresponding data connections.

Use Case #2: Downloadable Files

I haven't had a chance to create an app where this can be useful, but I'm imagining it could come in handy if an app is referencing some data set, or a PDF document, or an installation file, something that's relevant to content within a Qlik Sense app that user may need.

A Content Library can be created to store relevant files and a URL for each file can be used in a text object or a table expression to generate a link to a file stored in a content library that a user would be able to click and have needed files downloaded. Perhaps something like a Qlik Sense app visualizing data of a research and a link to PDF research document related to number displayed in the app.

[QFabian]

Excelent!, and now answering your question "Why did Qlik built a concept of Content Library?" i should say that is because of that's the way qlik can keep the same object reference as every single object in the platform.

You want to point to a folder, or a DB, or an image, all of those adresses are objects than can be crated or shared or hidden, etc.