---
title: "Decrypt File Reference"
slug: "decrypt-file-reference"
updated: 2026-05-04T20:27:56Z
published: 2026-05-04T20:27:56Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/decrypt-file-reference"
---

> ## 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 Reference

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | 9.24.0 |
| **Modified in Version** | 9.24.0 |
| **Location** | PGP Module |

The **Decrypt File Reference** step decrypts a file using **File Reference** data. This step provides the same functionality as the **Decrypt File** step, but works with file references instead of loading the file as **FileData**.

This step is useful when working with large encrypted files or when a Flow needs to decrypt a referenced file without loading the entire file into memory.

This step requires **GPG** to be installed on the system. GPG can be used to generate and export the key files used by this step.

In many environments, the key files used for decryption are provided by an organization’s internal IT operations or security team. In other cases, the private key may be generated and exported for the system that is responsible for decrypting files.

---

## Properties

#### Inputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| File | The desired PGP-encrypted file | File Reference |
| 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 | File Reference |

---

## Example Inputs and Outputs

| File | Private Key | Private Key Password | Output |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Content | privatekey.asc | *YourPkPassHere* | Id: "217fd06a-1933-4baa-9ff5-5476aecc1ea8" FileName: "pgp_dec_out_EncryptedFile.docx" Size: 11 FileDateTime: "2026-04-23T15:32:58.1572565Z" |

---

## Example

In this example, a Flow decrypts an incoming encrypted file using a file reference so the file can be used in later steps.

1. In the Flow Designer, add the **Decrypt File Reference** step from the PGP steps available in the Toolbox.
2. Map the **File Reference** for the encrypted file that should be decrypted.
3. Configure the remaining properties.
4. When the Flow runs, the file is decrypted and returned as a file reference.

The table below shows the decryption setup and results.

***Before (encrypted file reference), Process (mapping the private key and private key password), and After (the decrypted output file).***

| Before Decryption | Process | After Decryption |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ![Before (encrypted file reference)](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1777924979331.png) | ![Process (private key mapped)](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1776958205962.png)![Process (private key password mapped)](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1776958155180.png) | ![After (decrypted output file)](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1777925062294.png) |

---

## Step Changes

| Description | Version | Date | Developer Task |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| New steps have been added to the PGP Module. | 9.24 | April 2026 | [DT-047092] |

Related Information

Documentation: [PGP Module](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/pgp-module-overview#overview) [GnuPG](https://www.gnupg.org/download/) 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)