# Extract Text from File Block

The **Extract Text from File Block** allows you to extract text content from a file provided via a URL. This block is perfect for workflows that require processing text from uploaded files or external sources.

## **Configurations**

### **URL**

Provide the URL of the file to extract text from. You can enter the URL directly or use a `{{variable}}` to make it dynamic.

**Example:**

* Static URL: **`https://example.com/document.pdf`**
* Dynamic URL: **`{{file_url}}`**

#### **Supported File Types**

* Plain Text (.txt, .md)
* HTML (.html)
* JSON (.json)
* PDF Document (.pdf)
* Spreadsheet (.csv, .xlsx)
* Word Document (.docx)

#### **File Size Limits**

The maximum file size is **10MB**.

### **Output Variable**

Creates a new variable and saves the extracted text to it. Enter a `variable_name` to store the response for later use in the workflow.

***

## Best Practices

* **Validate File URLs**: Ensure the provided URL points to a valid file with readable text content.
* **Use Variables**: Leverage dynamic variables to adapt the block to multiple use cases without manually changing the URL.
* **Set Clear Outputs**: Choose meaningful variable names to make workflow debugging and customization easier.
* **Monitor File Size**: Keep file sizes within the 10MB limit to ensure smooth processing.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://university.mindstudio.ai/docs/building-ai-agents/blocks-reference/extract-text-from-file-block.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.