---
sourceDocument: Australia Workflow Data Fabric
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/integrate-applications

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Workflow Data Fabric

ft:clusterId :

    - crint

bundleId :

    - crint

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Use the OpenFileDialog component

# Use the OpenFileDialog
component {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Open a file dialog from where you can open a file using the OpenFileDialog component
in the RPA Desktop Design Studio.

## Before you begin

Role required: none

## About this task

By default, the OpenFileDialog component opens the last file dialog you had opened.
You can change the file dialog location and the type of file you want to open by
specifying the location and the file type.

There are properties that you configure for the OpenFileDialog component. For more
information, see [Dialog component properties](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hN6KE2YqcMAmGzacSRwm1A "Refer to the descriptions of the properties of the Dialog components. You can update the properties, if required.").

## Procedure

1. In the Toolbox pane, navigate to Utilities\>Dialogs.
2. Drag the OpenFileDialog component onto the Design surface.
3. To open the last file dialog you had opened, right-click the OpenFileDialog component bar.
4. Click Run From Here.
5. In the Save As file dialog, select the required file and click Open.  
   The Result (Boolean) and FileName (String) returns the Boolean response to whether you had opened a file and the file name and path respectively.
6. **Optional:** To configure the input ports, see [Configure port properties](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/o6fErdzBCUqYUWlLG1ZZzQ "Configure how data is passed to the input fields of a component or method in RPA Desktop Design Studio.").
7. Connect the data and control ports of OpenFileDialog to the corresponding ports of other components.  
   {#use-utilities-dialogs-openfiledialog__table_jnw_jn1_krb__entry__3}

   | Port type | Purpose of connection | Mandatory? |
   |-|-|-|
   | Data In (Filter) | Takes the format of the file that you want to open from a previously executed component. | No. Connecting the port is optional. |
   | Data In (InitialDirectory) | Takes the path to the directory that contains the file you want to open from a previously executed component. | No. Connecting the port is optional. |
   | Data Out (Result) | Passes the Boolean response to whether you had opened a file to the next component. | Yes |
   | Data Out (FileName) | Passes the name of the file you had opened and its path to the next component. | Yes |
   | Control In | Passes the control from the previously executed component. | Yes |
   | Control Out | Passes the control from the Get Text component to the next component to be executed. | Yes |
   [Table 1. OpenFileDialog - Ports]

   {#use-utilities-dialogs-openfiledialog__table_jnw_jn1_krb}
8. **Optional:** To test the component, click Run under the DESIGN tab.