Field to link to files on server

I would like to create a custom field to link to existing files on our server (For example: x:\sales files\packingslips\2014-1234.pdf). I would like to be able to click on the link to open the file in its associated application I tried to accomplish this with a custom field with date type URL however nothing happens when I click on the link and if I copy/paste the link I see http:// is being append to the fields text.
Is there a way to accomplish this with the URL data type or do I need some other data type?
The documents module doesn’t fit my needs because I must keep the original files in their current location, no copying.

What if you put file://UNC path to file.

That prevents the http: from being appended. However nothing happens when I click on the link. The file does open if I copy/paste the link in a new browser window.

You would have to create a proxy page like a download_local.php and use that as your link. Pass some URL params that let you identify which file to pull from the local file system. Then in your proxy page grab those params, fetch the files, and return it in the response.

Not sure if this changes things, but I may have misspoke in my previous post. Because all files in question are PDFs, opening in another browser window would be fine. They don’t need to be opened in another application.
As far as the proxy page solution, I am not familar with php (yet), could you point me to an example?

In your root SuiteCRM directory there is a download.php. Mimicking that would be one way to go. You may need to get a dev to help you out with that one if you’re not familiar with PHP yet.

I have a similar but slightly different need. I’d like to have a field with a directory, that if you click in the field, the directory automatically opens in Windows Explorer.

For a given opportunity or project, there may be 20-100 files generated. Blueprints, pictures, videos, CAD Drawings, Spreadsheets, etc. For us, it doesn’t make sense to store these files directly in CRM through the web interface. But a link to open Windows Explorer in “X:\projects2014\project_12345” for example from the CRM would be very helpful.

Has anyone done anything similar? All PCs are WIndows 7 or 8.

I would love this facility to link a local folder location to a SugarCRM record. If I click on it it opens the folder on my local disk. Anyone solved it?

Related solution:
[TIP] Easy way of integrating SuiteCRM with OwnCloud as file repository (1/1) - https://suitecrm.com/forum/suitecrm-7-0-discussion/8749-tip-easy-way-of-integrating-suitecrm-with-owncloud-as-file-repository

did you ever find a solution for this - we have the same requirement (realise its an old post:)

i have a similar but slightly different need. I’d like to have a field with a directory, that if you click in the field, the directory automatically opens in Windows Explorer.

For a given opportunity or project, there may be 20-100 files generated. Blueprints, pictures, videos, CAD Drawings, Spreadsheets, etc. For us, it doesn’t make sense to store these files directly in CRM through the web interface. But a link to open Windows Explorer in “X:\projects2014\project_12345” for example from the CRM would be very helpful.