# read > Reads a chunk of a file's contents and returns it as a string in data. Works with files of any size, unlike the contents property, which is limited to just under 60 KiB. See the Files guide. ----------- ## file/read **Type:** Command Reads a chunk of a file's contents and returns it as a string in `data`. Works with files of any size, unlike the `contents` property, which is limited to just under 60 KiB. See the [Files](../../system-information-and-utilities/files#read-file-contents) guide. Name of the file to read. Chunk size to read from the file. Required. Range: 1..32768. Offset where to start reading the file. A chunk that continues past the end of the file is shortened; an offset past the end fails. The read data returned as a string.