---
title: Use the ReadText component
description: Return all text in a file as output by using the ReadText component in the RPA Desktop Design Studio.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/integrate-applications/use-file-readtext.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [File, Utilities, Automation components, RPA Desktop Design Studio, Robotic Process Automation \(RPA\) Hub, Workflow Data Fabric]
---

# Use the ReadText component

Return all text in a file as output by using the ReadText component in the RPA Desktop Design Studio.

## Before you begin

Role required: none

## About this task

You can configure the properties for the ReadText component. For more information about these properties, see [Properties of the File components](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/integrate-applications/util-file-prop.md).

## Procedure

1.  In the Toolbox pane, navigate to **Utilities** > **File**.

2.  Drag the ReadText component to the Design surface.

3.  To configure the input field, see [Configure port properties](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/integrate-applications/configure-input-port-properties.md).

4.  Connect the data and control ports of the ReadText component to the corresponding ports of the other components as described in the following table.

<table id="table_jnw_jn1_krb"><thead><tr><th>

Port type

</th><th>

Purpose of connection

</th><th>

Mandatory?

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>

Data In \(filePath\)

</td><td>

Takes the path to the file from a previously executed component.

</td><td>

Yes

</td></tr><tr><td>

Data Out \(Return\)

</td><td>

Returns the read text from the file and passes the output to the next component.

</td><td>

Yes.To preview the data, right-click the **Return** field and click **Preview Data**.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Control In

</td><td>

Connects to the Control Out port of one or more components.

</td><td>

Yes

</td></tr><tr><td>

Control Out

</td><td>

Connects to the Control In port of another component or the default end component.

</td><td>

No. Connecting the port is optional.

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>5.  To test the component, under the **DESIGN** tab, click **Run**.


**Parent Topic:**[File](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/integrate-applications/file.md)