> 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/9.3-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/text-file-input-cp/select-an-engine-text-file-input/using-text-file-input-on-pentaho-engine-cp/options-text-file-input-reuse/file-tab-text-file-input-pentaho-engine.md).

# File tab

![Text file input step](/files/M1qwwteAlANOriu6jq9n)

Use the **File** tab to enter the following connection information for your source.

| Option                         | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **File or directory**          | Specify the source location if the source is not defined in a field.Click **Browse** to display the **Open File** window and navigate to the file or folder. For the supported file system types, see [Connecting to Virtual File Systems](/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/data-integration-perspective-in-the-pdi-client/virtual-file-system-browser.md). Click **Add** to include the source in the **Selected files table**. If the source location is defined in a field, use the **Accept filenames from previous steps** to specify your file name. |
| **Regular expression**         | Specify a regular expression to match filenames within a specified directory.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **Exclude regular expression** | Specify a regular expression to exclude filenames within a specified directory.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |


---

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