# How is the File System Items Source used in a Dataflow?

A *File System Items Source* is used to point towards a folder or directory containing multiple files that are to be processed in a flow. In a Dataflow, it is used when we use a source as a transformation to provide a dynamic file path to a source object. It can be either run in singleton mode or in a loop. It requires a file path to the directory where the source files reside. It also provides an option for including items in a subdirectory which, if checked, will include all the files present in the sub-folders.

To learn more about how the [*File System Items Source* ](/astera-data-stack-v10/dataflows/sources/file-system-items-source.md)works in using sources as transformations, click [here](/astera-data-stack-v10/dataflows/transformations/sources-as-transformations.md).

*File System Items Source* can be found in *Toolbox > Sources > File System Items Source*.

<figure><img src="/files/1jSP2GohsPOHo4JN2kMT" alt="" width="229"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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