The file stream capability enables automation (both API Tasks and Task Bots) to handle files directly from a data source. Streaming a file directly from the data source eliminates the need to download and then upload the file from your local desktop or Control Room storage.

Overview

The file stream capability leverages the file variable to stream a file. Create a file variable and assign this variable to the file that you must stream in the Assign file to a variable option within the supported actions. Once you assign a file variable to stream a file, you can use the variable in the subsequent actions. During runtime, the automation streams the file directly from the source without the need to download and upload the file. This capability allows you to create file-based API Tasks.

The file stream is available for consumption only within the session as global values do not support file stream capability. If the session is closed, the streaming stops. Also, the actions that consume the stream depend on the source file. The file stream capability reduces the time in scenarios where you must download a file using an Assign action, and then upload it using a different action as an input for the subsequent automation.

Note:
  • If the source file is modified, the action changes accordingly.
  • If you delete the source file, the automation fails.

For example, you can use the Assign file action of Microsoft 365 OneDrive package to assign a file variable to a file available on the Microsoft 365 OneDrive location. You can use the file variable as a data source in the subsequent automation workflow. When you select the file variable as the data source, other options (Control Room file and Desktop file) are not available for selection.

Supported packages

The following actions allow you to assign a file variable to stream a file from a cloud storage location:

Package Action
Google Drive Use the Assign file action to assign a file variable to a file available in a Google Drive location. You can use this variable in the subsequent actions in the session.

action „Datei zuweisen“

Microsoft 365 OneDrive Use the Assign file action to assign a file variable to a file available in a Microsoft 365 OneDrive location. You can use this variable in the subsequent actions in the session.

action „Datei zuweisen“

Microsoft 365 Outlook Use the Assign attachment(s) action to assign a file variable to email attachments and use it in the subsequent actions in the session.

action „Anhang/Angänge zuweisen“ im Microsoft 365 Outlook-package

REST Web Services Use the Get file stream action to assign a file variable to the file available in the URI and use it in the subsequent actions in the session.

Verwendung der Aktion „Dateistream abrufen“ (Get file stream)

SharePoint Use the Assign file action to assign a file variable to a file available in a SharePoint location and use it in the subsequent actions in the session.

SharePoint-Aktion „Datei zuweisen“

The following actions support consumption of a file stream as data source:

Package Action
CSV/TXT The Open action supports file variable to stream the file as a data source for subsequent actions in the session.

Verwenden der action „Öffnen“ für CSV/TXT-Dateien

Google Drive The Upload file action allows you to upload a file to a Google Drive location using a file variable. You can assign a file to a file variable using one of the actions mentioned above and use the variable to upload the file. The automation workflow streams and uploads the file to the Google Drive location without downloading it locally.

action „Datei hochladen“ in Google Drive

JSON The Start session action supports file variable to stream the file as a data source for subsequent actions in the session.

action „Sitzung starten“ in JSON

List The Add item action allows you to add a file variable that streams the file directly from a cloud storage to a list variable.

action „Element hinzufügen“ in List

Microsoft 365 OneDrive The Upload file action allows you to upload a file to a Microsoft 365 OneDrive location using a file variable. You can assign a file to a file variable using one of the actions mentioned above and use the variable to upload the file. The automation workflow streams and uploads the file to the Microsoft 365 OneDrive location without downloading it locally.
Microsoft 365 Outlook The Forward, Reply, Reply all, and Send actions support file stream in attachments.

You can add a file variable that holds a file stream to a list variable, and then use the list variable in the Attachment settings of the action to add the file as an attachment in the email.

To attach multiple files in the email, use the Add action in the List package to add multiple file variables to the list variable.