---
title: "Load All Files with Extension"
slug: "load-all-files-with-extension"
updated: 2025-07-11T14:11:11Z
published: 2025-07-11T14:11:11Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/load-all-files-with-extension"
---

> ## 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.

# Load All Files with Extension

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | 4.0.0 |
| **Last Modified in Version** | 7.12.0 |
| **Location** | File Management |

Similar to the **Load All Files** step, the **Load All Files with Extension** will include all files with a specified extension from a directory and its subdirectories. The step will output the files as a list of FileData.

---

## Properties

Similar to the **Load All Files** step, the **Load All Files with Extension** will include all files with a specified extension from a directory and its subdirectories. The step will output the files as a list of FileData.

#### Inputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Directory | The full path to the directory. | String |
| Extension | The extension type for the files that will be loaded by the step. All files containing the extension, and are listed in the directory or sub directory will be loaded. | String |

#### Outputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Output | The contents of the files loaded as a FileData type. Any file from the directory or subdirectory will be included in the output. | List of FileData |

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1674162497759.png)

---

## Example Inputs and Outputs

| Directory | Extension | Output |
| --- | --- | --- |
| C:\Examples | zip | Outputs a list of FileData that match the search criteria |
| C:\examples | zip | Outputs a list of FileData that match the search criteria |
| Empty String | txt | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |
| Null Value | csv | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |
| C:\examples | Empty String | Outputs a list of FileData that match the search criteria |

#### ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2022-12-08_11h03_05.png)

---

## Common Errors

### Path is empty

If the path specified for the Directory input is null or empty, the step will throw the following error. Ensure that the Directory input contains a valid string and is not null.

#### Exception Message:

```csharp
Exception Stack Trace: DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.ErrorRunningFlowStep: Error running step Load All Files[LoadAllFiles] in flow [Testing]: Exception invoking method LoadAllFiles on class FileSteps ---> DecisionsFramework.LoggedException: Exception invoking method LoadAllFiles on class FileSteps ---> System.ArgumentException: The path is empty. (Parameter 'path')
   at System.IO.Path.GetFullPath(String path)
   at System.IO.Enumeration.FileSystemEnumerableFactory.UserFiles(String directory, String expression, EnumerationOptions options)
   at System.IO.Directory.InternalEnumeratePaths(String path, String searchPattern, SearchTarget searchTarget, EnumerationOptions options)
   at System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(String path, String searchPattern, EnumerationOptions enumerationOptions)
   at System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(String path, String searchPattern, SearchOption searchOption)
   at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.CoreSteps.StandardSteps.FileSteps.ListFilesInDirectoryByExtension(String directoryName, String ext)
   at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.CoreSteps.StandardSteps.FileSteps.LoadAllFilesWithExtension(String directory, String extension)
   at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.CoreSteps.StandardSteps.FileSteps.LoadAllFiles(String directory) 
   --- 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 ---
```

### Could not find part of a path

If the Directory input is misspelled or incorrect, the following error will be thrown.

```cpp
Exception Stack Trace: DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.ErrorRunningFlowStep: Error running step Load All Files With Extension 1[LoadAllFilesWithExtension] in flow [Testing]: Exception invoking method LoadAllFilesWithExtension on class FileSteps ---> DecisionsFramework.LoggedException: Exception invoking method LoadAllFilesWithExtension on class FileSteps ---> System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path 'C:\Program Files\Decisions\Decisions Server\test'.
   at System.IO.Enumeration.FileSystemEnumerator`1.CreateDirectoryHandle(String path, Boolean ignoreNotFound)
   at System.IO.Enumeration.FileSystemEnumerator`1.Init()
   at System.IO.Enumeration.FileSystemEnumerableFactory.UserFiles(String directory, String expression, EnumerationOptions options)
   at System.IO.Directory.InternalEnumeratePaths(String path, String searchPattern, SearchTarget searchTarget, EnumerationOptions options)
   at System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(String path, String searchPattern, EnumerationOptions enumerationOptions)
   at System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(String path, String searchPattern, SearchOption searchOption)
   at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.CoreSteps.StandardSteps.FileSteps.ListFilesInDirectoryByExtension(String directoryName, String ext)
   at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.CoreSteps.StandardSteps.FileSteps.LoadAllFilesWithExtension(String directory, String extension) 
   --- 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 ---
```

---

Related Information

Example Labs:

- [Downloading a File from Decisions](https://documentation.decisions.com/projects/docs/downloading-a-file-from-decisions)

Forum Posts:

- [Give Load and Move File Shared Folder Access](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/1416/give-load-and-move-file-shared-folder-access)
- [Using Files From Directory](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/3323/using-files-from-directory)