How to access file generated by code interpreter

Question

How to access file generated by code interpreter

Jeremy Borg 0

I have created an Agent in Azure AI Foundry using GPT-4o and configured with code interpreter. I want to be able to export tabular data generated by the code interpreter as a CSV file and download it outside of the AI Foundry Playground.

When I ask the agent to generate a graph, it returns a file_id in the code interpreter output, which I then use to download the image by calling the save_file function. However when the code interpreter generates csv files, it does not return a file_id.

How can I download the tabular data (csv, excel etc) generated by the code interpreter

Manas Mohanty 11,690 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Jeremy Borg

Thank you for confirming that image save at least works for you.

Could you confirm if the below code block is useful (please share your AIProjectClient version too)


# Process file path annotations
for file_path_annotation in messages.file_path_annotations:
    print(f"File Paths:")
    print(f"Type: {file_path_annotation.type}")
    print(f"Text: {file_path_annotation.text}")
    print(f"File ID: {file_path_annotation.file_path.file_id}")

Reference - # https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/agents/how-to/tools/code-interpreter-samples?pivots=python#file-handling

You can download the files using File client in C#

OpenAIFileClient fileClient = client.GetOpenAIFileClient();

foreach (string id in fileIds)
{
    OpenAIFile info = fileClient.GetFile(id);
    BinaryData data = await fileClient.DownloadFileAsync(id);
    string localName = Path.Combine("downloads", Path.GetFileName(info.Filename ?? $"{id}.bin"));
    await File.WriteAllBytesAsync(localName, data.ToArray());
    Console.WriteLine($"Saved → {localName}");
}

Reference - https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/2288698/how-to-download-files-generated-by-the-code-interp

Thank you

Jeremy Borg 0 Reputation points

2025-10-17T15:35:03.2133333+00:00

Unfortunately the above didn't work. Calling project_client.agents.messages.list(thread_id=thread.id) threw an attribute error. After further investigation, I believe this is caused because my setup is using an AI Hub Project and not an AI Foundry Project. Is there another work around please?
Manas Mohanty 11,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-21T16:19:24.89+00:00
Hi Jeremy Borg

I am able to download the files from Agent playground.

Prompt used in playground was "Could you please create bar chart in TRANSPORTATION sector for the operating profit from the uploaded csv file and provide file to me." (with code interpreter files)

Another workaround suggested from product group was to download using rest api

GET https://<your-endpoint>/files/{fileId}/content?api-version=v1

Have pinged again concerned team for tracking of bug item created earlier for updating python code.

Thank you.
Jeremy Borg 0 Reputation points

2025-10-21T19:33:50.7466667+00:00

Just to clarify, my problem is to download Non-image files (e.g csv) and outside of the playground.

From my understanding, the code interpreter creates a temporary storage (/mnt/data) which is accessible inside the playground but not outside. So when the agent returns a link to a file, it works if I am in the playground but not if I make the call from a python script.

With images, I managed to go around this problem by using the save_file API, which requires a file_id as a parameter. However when the agent creates csv files, it is not returning a file_id in the response and therefore I cannot use the save_file function or the rest call you suggested above

File Type Link generated to mnt/data Link works in Playground Link works outside playground file_id generated

Image ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅

CSV ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌
Manas Mohanty 11,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-22T10:19:58.03+00:00

Yes Jeremy Borg

Please check out C# client solution suggested by Sina Salam which was accepted by other users. It is not yet working in Python client though (Bug item being tracked by PG, ETA not shared)

Thank you.

1 answer

Your answer

Manas Mohanty 11,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-14T18:45:21.6533333+00:00

Hi Jeremy Borg

Thank you for confirming that image save at least works for you.

Could you confirm if the below code block is useful (please share your AIProjectClient version too)

# Process file path annotations for file_path_annotation in messages.file_path_annotations: print(f"File Paths:") print(f"Type: {file_path_annotation.type}") print(f"Text: {file_path_annotation.text}") print(f"File ID: {file_path_annotation.file_path.file_id}")

Reference - # https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/agents/how-to/tools/code-interpreter-samples?pivots=python#file-handling

You can download the files using File client in C#

OpenAIFileClient fileClient = client.GetOpenAIFileClient(); foreach (string id in fileIds) { OpenAIFile info = fileClient.GetFile(id); BinaryData data = await fileClient.DownloadFileAsync(id); string localName = Path.Combine("downloads", Path.GetFileName(info.Filename ?? $"{id}.bin")); await File.WriteAllBytesAsync(localName, data.ToArray()); Console.WriteLine($"Saved → {localName}"); }

Reference - https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/2288698/how-to-download-files-generated-by-the-code-interp

Thank you
Jeremy Borg 0 Reputation points

2025-10-17T15:35:03.2133333+00:00

Unfortunately the above didn't work. Calling project_client.agents.messages.list(thread_id=thread.id) threw an attribute error. After further investigation, I believe this is caused because my setup is using an AI Hub Project and not an AI Foundry Project. Is there another work around please?
Manas Mohanty 11,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-21T16:19:24.89+00:00

Hi Jeremy Borg

I am able to download the files from Agent playground.

Prompt used in playground was "Could you please create bar chart in TRANSPORTATION sector for the operating profit from the uploaded csv file and provide file to me." (with code interpreter files)

Another workaround suggested from product group was to download using rest api

GET https://<your-endpoint>/files/{fileId}/content?api-version=v1

Have pinged again concerned team for tracking of bug item created earlier for updating python code.

Thank you.
Jeremy Borg 0 Reputation points

2025-10-21T19:33:50.7466667+00:00

Just to clarify, my problem is to download Non-image files (e.g csv) and outside of the playground.

From my understanding, the code interpreter creates a temporary storage (/mnt/data) which is accessible inside the playground but not outside. So when the agent returns a link to a file, it works if I am in the playground but not if I make the call from a python script.

With images, I managed to go around this problem by using the save_file API, which requires a file_id as a parameter. However when the agent creates csv files, it is not returning a file_id in the response and therefore I cannot use the save_file function or the rest call you suggested above

File Type Link generated to mnt/data Link works in Playground Link works outside playground file_id generated

Image ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅

CSV ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌
Manas Mohanty 11,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-22T10:19:58.03+00:00

Yes Jeremy Borg

Please check out C# client solution suggested by Sina Salam which was accepted by other users. It is not yet working in Python client though (Bug item being tracked by PG, ETA not shared)

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello Jeremy Borg,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A and thank you for posting your questions here.

I understand that you would like to access file generated by code interpreter.

Follow these four steps for AI Hub Projects, not AI Foundry. https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/openai/how-to/code-interpreter

A. Modify your Python code to explicitly save the CSV file and return it as a downloadable object. For an example:

        import pandas as pd
        df = pd.DataFrame(data)
        df.to_csv("output.csv", index=False)
      return "output.csv"

This is to make sure the agent is configured to return file references.

B. Use FileReferenceContent or StreamingFileReferenceContent in AI Hub, files are returned as part of the assistant's response. So, use the SDK to extract file references:

   foreach (var chunk in agent.InvokeStreamingAsync(message, thread))
        {
            var fileIds = chunk.Items.OfType<StreamingFileReferenceContent>().Select(f => f.FileId);
            foreach (var id in fileIds)
            {
                var file = fileClient.GetFile(id);
                var data = await fileClient.DownloadFileAsync(id);
                File.WriteAllBytes($"downloads/{file.Filename}", data.ToArray());
            }
        }

For a similar accepted answer on this platform, see - https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/2288698/how-to-download-files-generated-by-the-code-interp

C. Make sure you're using the correct SDK for AI Hub (not AI Foundry). - https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/agents/how-to/tools/code-interpreter

D. If SDK fails, manually export CSV from the AI Foundry Playground (if available).

I hope this is helpful! Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions or clarifications.

Please don't forget to close up the thread here by upvoting and accept it as an answer if it is helpful.

File Type	Link generated to mnt/data	Link works in Playground	Link works outside playground	file_id generated
Image	✅	✅	❌	✅
CSV	✅	✅	❌	❌

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How to access file generated by code interpreter

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