--- title: "Download File with SFTP/FTP" slug: "using-a-flow-to-download-a-file-via-sftp-ftp" description: "File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a secure method to transfer files across a network. Some FTP servers allow an anonymous connection, but many require that you enter the user name and password for the FTP server when connecting. Use a flow to download a file from an FTP server, using the authentication information you specify." tags: ["FTP", "SFTP", "download"] updated: 2026-06-25T19:26:22Z published: 2026-06-25T19:26:22Z canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/using-a-flow-to-download-a-file-via-sftp-ftp" --- > ## 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. # Download File with SFTP/FTP | Step Details | | --- | | **Introduced in Version** | --- | | **Modified in Version** | 9.28 | | **Location** | Integration > FTP | The **Download/ Download by** **SFTP** step allows users to download a file across a network from an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) /SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) server. The step requires proper authentication via username and password to connect to the specified server type, regardless if an FTP server allows anonymous connections. **Note:** All Certificates and related information for FTP/SFTP steps are stored within the Flow Step and are not stored independently in the database or the server. --- ## Properties #### FTP/SFTP | Property | Description | Data Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Get Connection by ID **(v9.28+)** | Enables Users to retrieve a connection by a specified ID. | --- | | Get Configuration From Data | Allows the user to set the configuration as input fields | --- | | | Server | | | | Host | Host name of the FTP server | --- | | | | Port | Port of the FTP server | --- | | | | SSL | Enables user to select an SSL Security Type | --- | | | | SSL Security Type | Choose the security type as Explicit, Unsecure, Implicit, or Secure. | --- | | | | | Authentication | | | | | | Use Certificate for Auth | Enables users to use a Certificate and Certificate Password for authentication for FTP. Users can use the following types of certificates - X.509, PFX/PKCS#12, and PEM. | --- | | | | | | Username | Username for the FTP account | --- | | | | | | Password | Password for the FTP account | --- | | | | | Proxy | | | | | | Type | Allows the user to select the Proxy type | --- | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | Enable Compression | Enables compression of the file being uploaded | --- | #### Advanced (SFTP step) | Property | Description | Data Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Show Advanced Options | | | Enable Compression | Enables compression of the file being uploaded | --- | | | SSH Key Exchange Algorithm | Enables the SSH to use a specified algorithm type | --- | | Business Metrics | Adds and configures business metrics to be captured in this folder. Business Metrics are quantifiable values that measure the success and efficiency of a given business process. Different process goals call for different metrics to measure their success. | --- | #### Inputs | Property | Description | Data Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Output File Name | The desired file name of the downloaded file | String | | Remote File Path | The FTP/SFTP directory path of the FTP/SFTP host | String | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-08-20_10h50_34.png) New SFTP Authentication SettingIn v9.26+, Users have the option to provide authentication using both a public key (certificate) and a server password. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2026-06-10_12h31_07.png) --- ## Example In the following example, a Flow will be built to download a file from an FTP server. 1. In the Designer Project, click CREATE FLOW from the **Global Action Bar** and select **Flow**. Name the Flow and click CREATE. 2. Click the **Done** path of the **Start** step. Navigate to **Integrations > All Integrations > FTP** and select the **Download** step. Click ADD.This example's configuration can be done SFTP, simply replace the Download step with the **Download by SFTP** step**.**![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-08-20_10h51_31.png) 3. On the **Properties** panel, enter the credentials for the **Host** of the FTP server and the **Username**, and **Password** for the account connecting to the FTP server under the FTP category.The following are additional settings the FTP/SFTP Download step has that can be used based on specific situations:  | Setting Name | Description | | --- | --- | | Get Configuration From Data | Allows the FTP Hostname and Authentication credentials to be mapped in from flow data | | File Compression | Compressing the data for network transit, used for very large files | | Proxy Type | Allows the user input their FTP environment proxy settings | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-08-20_10h53_47.png) 4. Click **Unknown** next to the **Output File Name** field under the INPTS category and select **Constant**. Enter the name of the file that will be downloaded. For the **Remote File Path**, enter the path on the FTP server where the file will be downloaded from. This value should be input as a full file path after the hostname; for example, /FileData/exampledoc.txt. 5. Under the OUTPUTS category, in the **file** field, enter a new name for the file once it has been downloaded. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-08-20_10h55_29.png) 6. Connect the **Done** path to the **End** step. Click **Save** to save changes. ## Debug 1. Click **Debug** from the top action bar. 2. Click START DEBUGGING. 3. If a file is found in the FTP location, it will be downloaded and added to memory and Flow data, not in a local file system. --- ## Step Changes | DT Title | Description | Version | Date | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [DT-037229] SSL Security Type drop-down does not display | Added a new "SSL Security Type" setting for the FTP steps. | [8.11](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/version-811x-release-notes) | April 2023 | | [DT-035959] SFTP Authentication using Public Key and server password | Added the ability to authenticate using both the Public key (certificate) and server password for all SFTP steps. | [9.26](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/version-926x-release-notes?highlight=DT-035959) | May 2026 | | [DT-047645] Add Batch SFTP Operations Step – Single SFTP Session Support | All SFTP steps have been updated to allow connections by ID. | [9.28](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/version-928x-release-notes?highlight=%5BDT-047645%5D%20Add%20Batch%20SFTP%20Operations%20Step%20%E2%80%93%20Single%20SFTP%20Session%20Support%5C) | June 2026 | --- Related Information Video: [SFTP and FTP in Decisions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZVH23qnbyo) Forum Posts: [FTP File Download Update Upload Flow](https://support.decisions.com/forum/topic551-ftp-file-download-update-upload-flow.aspx) [Download SFTP File - Remote File Path](https://support.decisions.com/forum/topic1115-download-sftp-file--remote-file-path.aspx) [Access SFTP Folder Using SSH Keys](https://support.decisions.com/forum/topic24661-access-sftp-folder-using-ssh-keys.aspx) ## Related - [Create Remote SFTP/FTP Directory Step](/create-remote-sftp-ftp-directory-step.md) - [Upload File with SFTP/FTP](/upload-a-file-via-sftp-ftp.md)