---
title: "Decrypt File"
slug: "decrypt-file-1"
updated: 2025-12-08T20:21:52Z
published: 2025-12-08T20:21:52Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/decrypt-file-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Decrypt File

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | 9.18.0 |
| **Last Modified in Version** | -- |
| **Location** | PGP |

---

The **Decrypt File** step enables Users to decrypt a PGP-encrypted file.

### Prerequisites

- This step requires the [PGP module](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/pgp-module-overview#overview) to be [installed](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/installing-modules-decisions) before it will be available in the toolbox.
- Users must download [GPG](https://www.gnupg.org/download/) before utilizing this and other PGP steps.

### Considerations

In v9.18, PGP steps were moved to a legacy category, and new steps were added. While the new PGP steps use an updated encryption/decryption approach (based on **AEAD/OCB** **mode**), both categories of steps can be utilized as they have the same functionality.

---

## Properties

#### Inputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| File | The desired PGP-encrypted file | FileData |
| Private Key | Generated PGP private key file used for encrypting or decrypting | FileData |
| Private Key Password | Password for the specified Private Key | String |

#### Outputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Output | Outputs the decrypted file | FileData |

---

## Example Inputs and Outputs

| File | Private Key | Private Key Password | Output |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| file.txt | 3992-sec.asc | catch | Id: "ac665621-ad64-4b40-b836-dd73c82b98d7",FileName: "file.txt",Length: 7,FileType: ".txt" |
| Null | private-sec.asc | newman | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |
| Showdetails.pdf | Null | string | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |
| flyer.docx | private-sec.asc | Empty | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |

#### ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1675288674019.png)

---

## Common Errors

### Object reference not set to an instance of an object

If the File input or the Password for the provided Private Key is null or empty, the step will cause an error. To correct this, ensure that an encrypted PGP file is uploaded or mapped to the File input and that the password entered for the Private Key is correct.

#### Exception Message:

```csharp
Exception Stack Trace: DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.ErrorRunningFlowStep: Error running step Decrypt File 1[DecryptFile] in flow [Flow 2]: Exception invoking method DecryptFile on class PGPSteps
 ---> DecisionsFramework.LoggedException: Exception invoking method DecryptFile on class PGPSteps
 ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. at Decsisions.PGP.Steps.PGPSteps.DecryptFile(Byte[] privateKey, String privateKeyPassword, FileData file)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.StepImplementations.InvokeMethodStep.Run(StepStartData data
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.RunStepInternal(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, KeyValuePairDataStructure[] stepRunDataValues, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.Start(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, FlowStateData data, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData, RunningStepData currentStepData)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
```

---

### Value cannot be null

If the Private Key is null or empty, the step will cause an error. To correct this, ensure that the correct Private Key file is uploaded or mapped.

#### Exception Message:

```csharp
Exception Stack Trace: DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.ErrorRunningFlowStep: Error running step Decrypt File 1[DecryptFile] in flow [Flow 2]: Value cannot be null. (Parameter 'path')
 ---> System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null. (Parameter 'path'
 at DecisionsFramework.Utilities.Data.DataUtilities.GetValue(IDictionary`2 data, String path, Boolean throwError, Boolean returnReferences
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.Mapping.InputImpl.SelectValueInputMapping.GetInputValue(IDataConsumer consumer, FlowStateData currentData, DecisionsType expectedType, Boolean expectingArray, String valueName, Object parentObject, Boolean canBeNull
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.BuildMappingData(FlowStateData data
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.Start(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, FlowStateData data, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData, RunningStepData currentStepData)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
```

---

## Step Changes

| Description | Version | Date | Developer Task |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| New steps have been added to the PGP Module. Existing steps have been added to the PGP Legacy category in the step toolbox. | [9.18](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/en/2ebf7a4c-e925-4e8f-9fd4-ff94a14910cc?isPreview=true&versionNumber=1) | December 2025 | [DT-046254] |

Related Information

Documentation: [PGP Module](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/pgp-module-overview#overview) Forum Posts: [Error While Encrypting A File Using PGP](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/1814/error-while-encrypting-a-file-using-pgp) [PGP Issues With Decrypting Using Private Key](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/2522/pgp-issues-with-decrypting-using-private-key)