sendDocument

SendDocument is a term used for a function or method in messaging and bot APIs that transmits a document file to a chat or user. It is commonly exposed in software development kits and bot frameworks to automate the delivery of files such as PDFs, images, spreadsheets, or other data payloads. The function typically accepts a destination identifier, a file reference, and optional metadata to control presentation and behavior.

In the context of the Telegram Bot API, sendDocument is a dedicated method used by bots to send a document to a chat. Required parameters usually include chat_id, which identifies the recipient, and document, which can be a file_id of a previously uploaded document, a URL to a file, or an uploaded file object. Optional parameters may include a caption, parse_mode to format the caption, thumb for a thumbnail image, and messaging controls such as reply_to_message_id and reply_markup. A successful call returns a Message object representing the sent document, including details like file_id and file_size.

Across other platforms, similar functionality appears under names such as file upload or documents.send, with variations in parameter names and accepted sources. Documents can originate from local storage, remote URLs, or platform-managed file IDs. Common considerations include authentication and permission to send to the target chat, file size limits, supported MIME types, and network reliability. Error handling typically covers invalid chat identifiers, missing or invalid file references, and rate-limit conditions.

SendDocument is often paired with related media-sending methods (for example, SendPhoto or SendAudio) to support multiple content types within automated workflows.