**Source URL:** https://general.veevavault.dev/vault-toolbox/browser-extension/guides/file-browser.md

# Using the File Browser

Vault Toolbox includes a File Browser that allows you to browse, search, upload, and download files and folders in your Vault’s file staging. Additionally, the File Browser allows you to download Direct Data extracts directly instead of having to [send requests to Direct Data API](/direct-data-api/guides/downloading-files) yourself.

This guide explains how to use the File Browser to browse and search for files, modify folder structures, upload files, and download Direct Data extracts.

<ThemeImage srcLight="/images/toolbox/browser-extension/vault_toolbox_file_browser_light.png" srcDark="/images/toolbox/browser-extension/vault_toolbox_file_browser_dark.png" alt="View and manage files in your Vault's file staging with the File Browser"></ThemeImage>

## Browsing & Searching Files {#browsing--searching-files}

The *File Staging* panel displays the files and folders in your Vault's file staging. If the *File Staging* tab is not visible, you must [enable it from the Settings page](/vault-toolbox/browser-extension/guides/navigating-vault-toolbox/#settings).

Click the <Icon name="ph:caret-down"></Icon> icon to expand a folder. Select a folder (<Icon name="ph:folder"></Icon>) to view its files in the File Browser. If you hover over a file name, you have the option to **Delete item** (<Icon name="ph:trash"></Icon>), **Copy full path** (<Icon name="ph:copy"></Icon>), or **Download file** (<Icon name="ph:download-simple"></Icon>).

Click **Reload current directory** (<Icon name="ph:arrow-clockwise"></Icon>) to refresh the File Browser to reflect changes.

When you type a term into the search bar, Vault Toolbox returns matches for both file and folder names in your file staging, and includes partial word matches. For example, search results for "bio" might contain "biological", "antibiotic", and "tibiofibular".

## Uploading & Downloading Files {#uploading--downloading-files}

To upload a file, navigate to the folder in which to place the file and click **Upload file to current directory** (<Icon name="ph:upload"></Icon>). The maximum file size is 500GB. To create a new folder to upload files to, click **Create folder at current location** (<Icon name="ph:folder-plus"></Icon>).

To download a file, hover over the file's row in the File Browser and click **Download file** (<Icon name="ph:download-simple"></Icon>). You can also click **Copy full path** (<Icon name="ph:copy"></Icon>) to copy the path to the file for use with the [File Staging API](/vault-api/api-reference/26.1/file-staging) or other tools.

### Downloading Direct Data Extracts {#downloading-direct-data-extracts}

The File Browser is also capable of downloading extracts generated by [Direct Data API](/direct-data-api/overview), handling and merging the potential multiple file parts. Direct Data extracts contain the data for Vault components, such as Vault objects, documents, and picklists.

From the *Direct Data* tab of the File Browser, you can also use the search bar to return matches for Direct Data extract file names.

<ThemeImage srcLight="/images/toolbox/browser-extension/vault_toolbox_direct_data_download_light.png" srcDark="/images/toolbox/browser-extension/vault_toolbox_direct_data_download_dark.png" alt="Vault Toolbox Direct Data files in File Browser"></ThemeImage>
To download a Direct Data extract:

<Steps>
1. From the File Browser page, select the **Direct Data** tab. If this tab is not visible, you must [enable it from the Settings page](/vault-toolbox/browser-extension/guides/navigating-vault-toolbox/#settings).

2. Select the file type: **Full**, **Incremental**, or **Log**.

3. Hover over the extract file’s row in the File Browser and click **Download file** (<Icon name="ph:download-simple"></Icon>).

</Steps>
See [Extract Naming and Attributes](/direct-data-api/references/extract-naming) to learn more about how to interpret downloaded Direct Data extracts.



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