> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/avro-input/options-reuse/source-tab-kettle-engine/separate-schema-avro-input-kettle-engine.md).

# Separate schema

![Avro Input Separate Schema dialog](/files/hUOGj6hlQISKXhwXBq3q)

If you select JSON datum, binary datum, or Avro file (use alternate schema), the Avro Input step assumes the schema is in a separate location from your data. The location of the data and its schema can be either a file or a PDI field.

| Option     | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Source** | <p>Specify the location of the source data:- <strong>From file</strong>: Specify the<strong>Folder/File name</strong> of the file or a folder containing multiple files, which is the fully qualified URL of the source file name. You can also click <strong>Browse</strong> to navigate to the source file or folder through your VFS connection. See <a href="/pages/U66nnANI85sI19SI8pKW">Connecting to Virtual File Systems</a> for more information. A single Avro file is specified to read as input.</p><ul><li><strong>From field</strong>: Select the <strong>Field name</strong>containing the location of your source. The list of available fields comes from any PDI step connected to the Avro Input step.</li></ul> |
| **Schema** | <p>Specify the location of the source schema:- <strong>From file</strong>: Specify the <strong>File name</strong> of the file, which is the fully qualified URL of the schema file name. You can also click <strong>Browse</strong> to navigate to the schema file on your file system through your VFS connection.</p><ul><li><strong>From field</strong>: Select the <strong>Field name</strong> containing the location of the schema. The list of available fields comes from any PDI step connected to the Avro Input step.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                          |


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