> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.diaflow.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.diaflow.io/workflow-builder/nodes/built-in-tools/file.md).

# File

### 1. The "Universal Transit Station" (Overview)

Drag, drop, or paste links. We handle the rest—absolutely free of charge.

Use this node to bring files and links into one clean handoff point. It standardizes them into ready-to-use file links for AI, email, parser, and document steps.

### 2. How to Add the Node

Click the **+** button on your canvas, search for **File**, and add it to your workflow.

### 3. What can you automate? (The "Wow" Use Cases)

1. **The Campaign Asset Hub:** Gather images from Drive, Dropbox, and local uploads into one workflow for AI processing.
2. **The Document Preparer:** Turn local PDFs into workflow-ready file links before sending them to AI or email steps.
3. **The Forgiving Downloader:** Process long lists of links while keeping valid items moving, even when a few entries fail.

### 4. Step-by-Step: Configuration & Smart Data Injection

#### **Add files or paste links**

Drag and drop files into the node, or paste public links into the list. You can mix both in the same step.

#### **Map links from earlier steps**

Type `@` in the input field to open the visual data picker. Then select links or file values from earlier steps, like a webhook, Airtable, or form submission.

If you prefer the classic format, typing `{{` works too.

#### **Send everything forward in one step**

The node keeps your accepted items together and in order. That makes the next step easier to configure.

> 🛑 **\[PLACEHOLDER: SCREENSHOT - UI showing a mix of uploaded files and mapped `@` URL variables]**

### 5. The Output: Seeing Your Results

This node returns clean, ready-to-use file links for the next step in your workflow.

Use the output in AI, email, parser, or document steps to keep your workflow moving without manual cleanup.

> 🛑 **\[PLACEHOLDER: SCREENSHOT - Execution result showing the output URLs]**

### 6. Golden Rules & Guardrails (CRITICAL PRO-TIPS)

* **The Forgiving Array (Error Tolerance):** This node is built to keep going. If 1 out of 5 links is broken or unsupported, Diaflow flags the bad item and still passes the 4 working links forward. Your workflow does not crash over one bad entry.
* **Free to Use:** This built-in node costs **0 Credits**. It also does not consume AI tokens.
* **Uploads come first:** If you mix uploads and pasted links, uploaded files appear first in the output list.
* **Only standard web links are accepted:** Unsupported link types are rejected automatically for safety.
* **Empty inputs are fine:** If nothing is added yet, the node still completes successfully. It simply returns an empty result.

### Need help?

* Read [What is Diaflow?](/workflow-builder/overview.md)
* Browse the [Component List](/workflow-builder/component-list.md)