Generating a HAR file

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What is a HAR file?

A HAR (HTTP Archive) file is a JSON formatted file that records a web browser's interaction with a web page. It includes details such as requests and responses between the browser and server, cookies, loading times, and other data related to the page's performance and rendering.

NOTE

HAR files help the Document360 team debug and analyze performance issues. They provide a detailed record of the interactions between the browser and your Document360 project.


Generating a HAR file

You can generate a HAR (HTTP Archive) file using most modern web browsers, browser developer tools, or web development extensions. These files help the Document360 team debug and analyze performance issues by capturing detailed records of browser-server interactions.

Follow the steps in the relevant browser section below:

  1. Google Chrome – HAR file generation

  2. Mozilla Firefox – HAR file generation

  3. Microsoft Edge – HAR file generation

  4. Safari – HAR file generation

  5. Opera – HAR file generation

The steps are mostly similar across browsers, with minor differences in their user interfaces.

How to generate a HAR file in Google Chrome

You can generate a HAR file in Google Chrome using the built-in Developer Tools. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Google Chrome and go to the page where the issue is occurring.

  2. Click the three-dot menu () in the top-right corner of Chrome, then select More tools > Developer tools.

  3. In the Developer Tools panel, select the Network tab.

  4. Check the Preserve log checkbox to retain logs during navigation.

  5. Check the Disable cache checkbox to prevent cached responses from affecting the log.

  6. Ensure that the record button () at the top-left of the Network tab is red. If it's gray, click it to begin recording network activity.

  7. If the issue occurs during page load or navigation, start recording before opening the relevant page in your Document360 project.

  8. If the issue occurs after you've already reached the page, first navigate to that page, then click the clear () icon to remove any existing logs.

  9. Reproduce the issue in your Document360 project while the Network tab is recording.

  10. After the issue is reproduced, click the Export HAR () button to download the file.

  11. Choose a file name and save the HAR file to your computer.

  12. Attach the HAR file to your support request to help the Document360 team troubleshoot the issue.

NOTE

Chrome exports a sanitized HAR file by default, but it’s still a good idea to review the file before sharing it, especially if your project handles sensitive data.

How to generate a HAR file in Mozilla Firefox

You can generate a HAR file in Mozilla Firefox using the built-in Developer Tools. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox and go to the page where the issue is occurring.

  2. Click the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner of Firefox, then select More tools > Web Developer Tools.

  3. In the Developer Tools panel, select the Network tab.

  4. Enable the Persist Logs option to retain logs during navigation. You can find the option by clicking the gear icon (⚙️) in the Developer Tools panel.

  5. Check the Disable Cache checkbox to prevent cached responses from affecting the log.

  6. Ensure that the record button ( or ) in the top-left of the Network tab is active. If the icon shows pause (), recording is already active. If it shows play (), click it to start recording.

  7. If the issue occurs during page load or navigation, start recording before opening the relevant page in your Document360 project.

  8. If the issue occurs after you've already reached the page, first navigate to that page, then click the clear () icon to remove any existing logs.

  9. Reproduce the issue in your Document360 project while the Network tab is recording.

  10. After the issue is reproduced, right-click anywhere within the list of network requests and select Save All As HAR.

  11. Choose a file name and location to save the HAR file to your computer.

  12. Attach the HAR file to your support request to help the Document360 team troubleshoot the issue.

NOTE

Firefox HAR files may include sensitive data such as cookies and page content. It’s a good idea to review the file before sharing it, especially if your project handles confidential information.

How to generate a HAR file in Microsoft Edge

You can generate a HAR file in Microsoft Edge using the built-in Developer Tools. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Google Edge and go to the page where the issue is occurring.

  2. Click the three-dot menu () in the top-right corner of Edge, then select More tools > Developer tools.

  3. In the Developer Tools panel, select the Network tab.

  4. Check the Preserve log checkbox to retain logs during navigation.

  5. Check the Disable cache checkbox to prevent cached responses from affecting the log.

  6. Ensure that the record button () at the top-left of the Network tab is red. If it's gray, click it to begin recording network activity.

  7. If the issue occurs during page load or navigation, start recording before opening the relevant page in your Document360 project.

  8. If the issue occurs after you've already reached the page, first navigate to that page, then click the clear () icon to remove any existing logs.

  9. Reproduce the issue in your Document360 project while the Network tab is recording.

  10. After the issue is reproduced, click the Export HAR () button to download the file.

  11. Choose a file name and save the HAR file to your computer.

  12. Attach the HAR file to your support request to help the Document360 team troubleshoot the issue.

NOTE

Edge exports a sanitized HAR file by default, but it’s still a good idea to review the file before sharing it, especially if your project handles sensitive data.

How to generate a HAR file in Safari

You can generate a HAR file in Safari using the built-in Web Inspector. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Safari and go to the page where the issue is occurring.

  2. If the Develop menu is not visible in the Safari menu bar:

    • Click Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions).

    • Go to the Advanced tab.

    • Enable the Show features for web developers checkbox.

  3. Click Develop > Show Web Inspector in the Safari menu bar.

  4. In the Web Inspector panel, select the Network tab.

  5. Check the Disable Caches checkbox to prevent cached responses from affecting the log.

  6. Click the clear icon () in the top-left of the panel to remove any existing logs.

  7. If the issue occurs during page load or navigation, perform those steps now. The Network tab automatically starts recording when it’s open.

  8. If the issue occurs after you've already reached the page, perform the steps to reproduce the issue while the Network tab is active.

  9. After reproducing the issue, click the Export () option in the top-right of the Network tab.

  10. Choose a file name and location to save the HAR file to your computer.

  11. Attach the HAR file to your support request to help the Document360 team troubleshoot the issue.

NOTE

Safari HAR exports may include cookies, request headers, and session data. Review the file before sharing it if your project involves sensitive information.

How to generate a HAR file in Opera

You can generate a HAR file in Opera using the built-in Developer Tools. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Opera and go to the page where the issue is occurring.

  2. Click the Opera menu (red "O" icon) in the top-left corner of the browser, then select Developer > Developer tools.

  3. In the Developer Tools panel, select the Network tab.

  4. Check the Preserve log checkbox to retain logs during navigation.

  5. Check the Disable cache checkbox to prevent cached responses from affecting the log.

  6. Ensure that the record button () at the top-left of the Network tab is red. If it's gray, click it to begin recording network activity.

  7. If the issue occurs during page load or navigation, start recording before opening the relevant page in your Document360 project.

  8. If the issue occurs after you've already reached the page, first navigate to that page, then click the clear () icon to remove any existing logs.

  9. Reproduce the issue in your Document360 project while the Network tab is recording.

  10. After the issue is reproduced, click the Export HAR () button to download the file.

  11. Choose a file name and save the HAR file to your computer.

  12. Attach the HAR file to your support request to help the Document360 team troubleshoot the issue.

NOTE

Opera exports a sanitized HAR file by default, but it’s still a good idea to review the file before sharing it, especially if your project handles sensitive data.


PRO TIP

You can use Cloudflare’s HAR Sanitizer to remove sensitive information before sharing your HAR file.