# Reading a File Source

The File Source recipe action in Astera Dataprep allows us to import and use different file sources such as Excel, Delimited, and Cloud files by providing their paths.

### Option 1: Add Sources using Chat

You can simply ask the in simple english to load your data by:

* Providing it the file path of your source:

![](/files/IyCRgBtMNUUupuiPNlnm)

### Option 2: Toolbar Method

1. Open Astera Dataprep.

![](/files/dHbvwGh1AjPTdcKxQUvQ)

2. Navigate to the Toolbar and select *Read > File Source.*

![](/files/DmfYSm4olO1ExqSUmAnd)

3. Once clicked, the recipe action is added in the Recipe Panel. Configure the following options in the dialog:

* **File Location**: Dropdown options are:
  * **Browse Path**: This lets us provide a file path to where our file is located.
  * **Path from Variable:** This lets us provide the variable which contains the file path.

![](/files/daD7Bq2qZgsmO80pqwwi)

* **File Path (Browse Path ) / Variable (Path from Variable):** This provides the path to the file or the variable which contains the path to the file.
* **Dataset Name**: This is the name given to the dataset. You can configure this to be able to use the dataset separately elsewhere. The dataset name is auto filled and defaults to the name of the selected shared source. However, this name can be changed as needed.

![](/files/l5tK5wie4vuYd0TcDaJj)

4. To configure a static file path to the file you want to read, use the **Browse Path** option in File Location. In the **File Path** field, provide the file path either by typing in the text entry box or by clicking the folder icon to navigate to the desired file.

![](/files/zTykY0AL5drLDogTWL5t)

![](/files/o9ke0U7pGDy64uncKKpx)

![](/files/wfJV4D2S75jmr0fkzq75)

5. Once you click Apply, the dataset will now be visible in Astera Dataprep, and further data processing can be applied to it.

![](/files/Gj3YI4ny02t0Fgq30DgM)

6. To use a variable for the file path, choose **Path from variable** in the dropdown for the **File Location** option. Choose the variable from the **Variable** dropdown. This dropdown will show you the shared variables within the project and any other variables available to you. Variables may either be part of the config file in a project or may be declared as a recipe action in a dataprep. Using the variable declared in the dataprep allows for the parameterization of the file within a dataflow.

![](/files/PCUHtdJJfiIRtmxjLg4F)

![](/files/PIxvN8IdXQqUqWIr0JhP)

7. Click **Apply** ![](/files/c74zZYGnpjzxmqPAE8Yk) to apply the changes or **Cancel** ![](/files/CDGBfUE72XSdRPbBf0wK) to discard them.
8. Once you click Apply, the dataset will now be visible in Astera Dataprep, and further data processing can be applied to it.

![](/files/8YtMIpHkrlT8sRAW34x8)

### **Option 3: Dataprep Grid Method**

1. To add supported files through the Dataprep Grid method, you can follow one of these steps:
   * **From Data Source Browser**:
     * Open the Data Source Browser and navigate to the "Local" accordion.
     * Drag and drop any supported file onto the Dataprep canvas where a 2x2 grid appears. Drop the source onto the *Read* option within the grid.

![](/files/vnumRMKVH5QxgYYJrrct)

2. Click **Apply** ![](/files/BLmZvcZhyaY3MyeBJEal) to apply the changes or **Cancel** ![](/files/08ILepZcTQQUEq5C3NxF) to discard them.
3. Once you click Apply, the dataset will now be visible in Astera Dataprep, and further data processing can be applied to it.

![](/files/Enn16Cz2zyP1kyUN9hKL)

This concludes the document on reading File Sources in Astera Dataprep.


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