Reading a file

Overview

This guide walks you through reading an existing file from the Hedera File Service using the Transaction Tool. The file reading process retrieves the contents of a file stored on the Hedera network using its unique File ID. Once retrieved, the contents are stored locally by the Transaction Tool and displayed in the interface, allowing you to view the data directly.

Note: Reading a file from the Hedera network requires submitting a File Contents Query. You must have the File ID of the file you want to read. The query incurs a small fee paid in HBAR.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, you should have completed the following:

• Transaction Tool Setup: New User Installation Guide.

• User Account Configuration: Account Setup process to create your primary account.

You should also have:

• File ID: The unique identifier of the file you want to read (format: 0.0.xxxxx).

• Payer Account: An account with sufficient HBAR balance to pay query fees.

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File Query Properties

Property	Description	Required	Example
File ID	The unique identifier of the file on Hedera network	Yes	0.0.12345

Transaction Properties

Property	Description	Required	Example
Payer ID	Account ID from which the query fee is deducted	Yes	Select from dropdown menu
Max Query Fee ℏ	Maximum fee in HBAR willing to pay for the query (default 2, minimum 0)	No	2

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Step-by-Step GuideStep-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Access the File Reading Interface

You can access the Read files form in two ways:

Method 1 – Using the Main Menu

• Select Create New, then choose Transaction.

• Select File, then choose Read File.

Method 2 – From the left navigation panel

• Select Files.

• On the Files page, select Add New then choose Read from the dropdown menu.

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Step 2: Configure File Reading Parameters

• In the File ID field, enter the unique identifier of the file you want to read.

• Verify that the File ID follows the correct format (0.0.xxxxx).

• From the Payer ID dropdown, select the account that will pay the query fee.

• In the Max Query Fee field, set the maximum HBAR amount you are willing to pay for the query (default is 2 HBAR).

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Step 3: Execute the File Query

• Select Sign and Read on the top right corner.

• In the authentication prompt, confirm the transaction.

  • If you set up the Transaction Tool using an email address and password, you will be prompted to enter your system password.

  

  • If you set up the Transaction Tool using the keychain option, the transaction executes automatically — no additional signing prompt appears.

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Step 5: View File Contents

• Once the query is successful, the file contents display in the interface.

• You can view the file data directly within the Transaction Tool. Since this is a paid query, the contents are also stored locally for reference.

Note: The file contents appear as they were stored on the network.

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