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Overview:

The Read File As Text block allows users to extract the contents of a file as UTF-8 text, facilitating further processing within workflows. This versatile tool is perfect for tasks that require retrieving text from files, including those generated dynamically during runtime.

Supported file types include .pdf, .csv, .txt, .html, .json and .docx

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Inputs & Outputs

I/OFeatureTypeSimple Explanation
inputfile_namefileThe specific file you wish to read for its textual content.
outputfile_contentsstringThe extracted contents of the specified file formatted as a UTF-8 string.

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Use Cases

Consider how this block could streamline your processes:

  • Analyzing Reports: When reviewing annual performance metrics stored in PDF format, this block enables quick retrieval of necessary data points from the document.
  • Database Updates: If you have a CSV containing customer information and need it imported into your database efficiently, utilize this tool to extract that information seamlessly.
  • Form Processing: Imagine collecting user feedback collected through HTML forms; use this block to directly read and interpret responses from those files.
  • Archiving Documents: For essential documents like contracts or invoices saved in various formats (like JSON or DOCX), extracting critical details become straightforward with this functionality.

In summary, whenever there’s a requirement for extracting text-based information from files into an easily manageable format for processing or analysis, the Read File As Text block serves as an invaluable resource!