---
title: Use the GetLength component
description: Count the number of characters including spaces and special characters in a string by using the GetLength component in RPA Desktop Design Studio.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/integrate-applications/use-stringutil-getlength.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [String utilities, Utilities, Automation components, RPA Desktop Design Studio, Robotic Process Automation \(RPA\) Hub, Workflow Data Fabric]
---

# Use the GetLength component

Count the number of characters including spaces and special characters in a string by using the GetLength component in RPA Desktop Design Studio.

## Before you begin

Role required: none

## About this task

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

## Procedure

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

2.  Drag the GetLength component to the Design surface.

3.  To configure the input fields, 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 GetLength 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 \(Text\)

</td><td>

Takes the characters that the component counts from a previously executed component.Used to specify the string from where the length is retrieved.

Data type: String

</td><td>

Yes

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

Data Out \(Return\)

</td><td>

Returns the number of characters including the spaces and special characters and passes to the next component.Returns an integer that represents the text length.

Data type: integer

</td><td>

Yes

</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

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


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