Skip to main content

FTP / SFTP

Lists and downloads files from a folder on an SFTP, FTP, or FTPS server.

Overview​

The FTP / SFTP action node connects to a remote file server and returns all files in a folder (subfolders are excluded). It fetches files once as part of a workflow execution.

Use it to:

  • Pull files dropped onto a vendor's SFTP server for processing
  • List files for filtering and selective processing
  • Retrieve files on demand from FTP, FTPS, or SFTP servers

Parameters​

ParameterDescriptionRequired
CredentialSFTP/FTP credential used to authenticateYes
Folder PathRemote folder to list files from, e.g. /uploadsYes

Folder Path​

The absolute path of the remote folder to list. Browse the server with the folder picker, or type a path directly. Supports expressions for dynamic folder selection:

{{$item.data.folderPath}}

Settings​

SettingDescription
Execution ModeOnce per item (default) or Once
Output ModeHow to output results when running once
Batch SizeItems to process concurrently (default 5)
Stop on ErrorStop workflow on failure

Output​

One item per file found in the folder:

{
"file": {
"type": "fileData",
"name": "report.csv",
"mimeType": "text/csv",
"modifiedTime": "2026-05-01T12:00:00.000Z",
"size": "20480",
"fileInfo": {
"type": "ftp",
"credentialId": "...",
"path": "/uploads/report.csv"
}
}
}

Access file properties in expressions:

  • File object: {{$item.data.file}}
  • File name: {{$item.data.file.name}}
  • MIME type: {{$item.data.file.mimeType}}

Examples​

Process Files Dropped on an SFTP Server​

[Scheduled Trigger] → [FTP / SFTP (folder)] → [Data Extractor] → [Insert Rows]

List and Filter Files​

Only process CSVs from the folder:

[FTP / SFTP (folder)] → [Filter (file.mimeType = "text/csv")] → [Import Table]

Authentication​

This node requires an SFTP/FTP credential. Create one in your workspace settings with:

FieldDescription
ProtocolSFTP (SSH), FTP, or FTPS (FTP over TLS)
HostServer hostname or IP
PortServer port (defaults to the protocol's standard port)
UserUsername
PasswordPassword — required unless a private key is provided
Private KeySSH private key for key-based SFTP authentication
PassphrasePassphrase protecting the private key, if any
Host KeyPinned server host key — required for SFTP (no trust-on-first-use)

For FTPS, certificate validation can be disabled for servers using self-signed or private-CA certificates.

Tips​

  • Returns files only — subfolders are not included
  • Not recursive — only lists files directly in the specified folder
  • SFTP connections require a pinned host key; use the folder picker to probe and capture it when setting up the credential
  • The Folder Path supports expressions for dynamic folder selection
  • Each file in the folder becomes a separate output item
  • To read or upload files from spreadsheet formulas instead of a workflow, see FTPFILE and FTPUPLOAD