This is a fascinating proposal. I had no idea about this nonstandard DownloadURL format.
Although it is not necessary at the prototype stage, as part of shipping this, it will probably be necessary to write a spec for both the original DownloadURL feature and this new extension to it. On Thu, Aug 21, 2025 at 8:35 AM Chromestatus < ad...@cr-status.appspotmail.com> wrote: > Contact emails joone...@microsoft.com, jo...@chromium.org > > Explainer > https://github.com/MicrosoftEdge/MSEdgeExplainers/blob/main/DownloadURL/explainer.md > > Specification None > > Design docs > > https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nHPDuEE876RMKwYBVzWgPvsek-9X1NhZuFyY5Q5Z6YU/edit?usp=sharing > > Summary > > This feature extends the existing DownloadURL drag type to allow users to > drag and drop multiple files simultaneously from a web application (such as > a webmail client or a web-based tool) directly to their desktop or file > system on Windows. Historically, the DownloadURL drag type has been limited > to supporting the download of a single file per drag-and-drop operation. > This new design addresses that limitation by introducing a JSON array > format for the DownloadURL string, allowing it to carry information for > multiple files. > > > Blink component Blink>DataTransfer > <https://issues.chromium.org/issues?q=customfield1222907:%22Blink%3EDataTransfer%22> > > Motivation > > This enhancement addresses a significant pain point for users who > frequently interact with web applications that involve multiple > downloadable items. For example, users can now download multiple email > attachments from a webmail client (e.g., Outlook Web) or export multiple > generated reports or images from a web-based tool using a single drag > gesture, rather than being forced to perform multiple, inefficient, and > cumbersome drag-and-drop operations for each file. > > > Initial public proposal https://issues.chromium.org/issues/40736398 > > TAG review None > > TAG review status Pending > > Risks > > > Interoperability and Compatibility > > None > > > *Gecko*: No signal > > *WebKit*: No signal > > *Web developers*: No signals > > *Other signals*: > > WebView application risks > > Does this intent deprecate or change behavior of existing APIs, such that > it has potentially high risk for Android WebView-based applications? > > None > > > Debuggability > > None > > > Is this feature fully tested by web-platform-tests > <https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/main/docs/testing/web_platform_tests.md> > ? No > > Flag name on about://flags None > > Finch feature name None > > Non-finch justification None > > Requires code in //chrome? False > > Tracking bug https://issues.chromium.org/issues/40736398 > > Estimated milestones > > No milestones specified > > > Link to entry on the Chrome Platform Status > https://chromestatus.com/feature/4909387902746624?gate=5108211938099200 > > This intent message was generated by Chrome Platform Status > <https://chromestatus.com>. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "blink-dev" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to blink-dev+unsubscr...@chromium.org. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/d/msgid/blink-dev/68a65bd3.050a0220.815fa.0219.GAE%40google.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/d/msgid/blink-dev/68a65bd3.050a0220.815fa.0219.GAE%40google.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "blink-dev" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to blink-dev+unsubscr...@chromium.org. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/d/msgid/blink-dev/CAM0wra9-pReyuszLDU0Q5vgFOvfA_yJTc3vNyLR8OiJ8P6Go2g%40mail.gmail.com.