# Separate schema

![Avro Input Separate Schema dialog](https://3411831820-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAYwCj9fPr1B2pjC11IOQ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d60224c94b7b5fd390c395eaf2927159f655b5a5%2FPDI_AvroInput_SourceTab_SeparateSchema_PentahoEngine.png?alt=media)

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="../../../../../data-integration-perspective-in-the-pdi-client/virtual-file-system-browser">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>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |