Modified files in docroot not reflecting instantly

[IamRasheed]

Hello,

In our environment , we have many apache webservers which runs along with jboss application server.
One of our application uses only apache. Application team used to put the files in the Docroot which will be used by the user by accessing the website.
But manytimes when we put the file in the Docroot,its not reflecting instantly.
sometime it took more than a hour to reflect.
Even after putting a new excel file by modify the content, users are able to see the old file only if they access the URL.
File name is same.
For example, There is a file called abc.xls which will be accesed by [xyz.com...]
If we modfied the abc.xls file and uploaded back to docroot and then accessed [xyz.com...] , it will still show the old content. After one or two hours its showing the updated content.
Could anyone please help on how to fix this issue and to find why its happening.

[lucy24]

Double-check: This happens on all browsers, whether or not the previous material is in the browser cache? All ISPs, not just one?

Come to think of it: What's the current cache header for this directory or file? Is it set for a very short time, or for no caching at all? Does the material change frequently, or is this an unusual situation?

[IamRasheed]

In one application, China users gettng the changes reflected soon for but japan users it takes somtimes even a day.
In another application, if they accessing the URL from a new PC where thy havent access before then they got the modified excel sheet.But they are not able to get the modified excel sheet if they accessed once before modifying the file. They cleared the browser cookies and everything but still exists nad after a long time issue getting fixed.

I am sorry i am not aware of " current cache header for this directory or file"

They used to change the file few times a month.

[lucy24]

They cleared the browser cookies and everything

Was that a typo or a mistake? Cookies has nothing to do with it; you need to clear the browser's cache. Sometimes it's enough if you force a reload of the page, but not always.

If the content changes frequently, you should set an explicit cache header specifying a fairly short time period. There's more than one way to do this; details will depend on your server setup and partly your personal preference.