# fileScout
Source: https://docs.file.ai/scout/overview

> Read every element of a file the way that suits it, and get structured data back.

fileScout

# fileScout

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Read every element of a file the way that suits it, and get structured data back.

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fileScout turns a file into structured data. It finds each **element**, such as text, tables, charts and images, reads each one the way that suits it, and fills the fields of your AI Schema. Financial reports, claim forms and contracts come back in the same shape every time.

annual-report-2025.pdf$0.015 per page

→ Every field of your AI Schema, as JSON

## 

[​

](#start-here)

Start here

## Quickstart

Upload a file and read its values in five minutes.

## Try the Sandbox

See the fields on the Developer Portal, with no code.

## API reference

Every upload, file and schema endpoint.

## 

[​

](#how-it-works)

How it works

1

Map the elements

fileScout records each element and where it sits: headings, paragraphs, tables, lists, form fields, charts, images, logos, signatures, handwriting, stamps and QR codes.

2

Read each element its own way

Tables keep their rows and columns. Text is read with its layout. Charts, photos and stamps are read visually, and scanned pages go through OCR first. **One file can use several models and tools.**

3

Skip what carries no data

Running headers and footers are left out, so they cost no processing.

4

Fill your schema

The results come together in the fields of your AI Schema, returned by `GET /v1/files/{fileId}/values`.

Each element gets the method that reads it best, so accuracy stays high on mixed files and token use stays low. The element breakdown is internal; the API returns the structured values. See it on the 60-page sample above in [Multi-page financial report](/examples/financial-report), or [download the sample](/samples/annual-report-2025.pdf) and run it yourself.

## 

[​

](#what’s-included)

What’s included

Step

What it does

Guide

Upload

Single files, batches, large files in parts and ZIP archives

[Upload files](/ingest/uploads)

Read

AI OCR reads text and tables from every page

[Read text](/ingest/ocr-models)

Extract

AI Schemas fill exactly the fields you define, including line items

[Extract fields](/extract/ai-schemas)

Split and classify

Breaks a bundled file into its parts and labels each by type

[Split and classify](/extract/split-classify)

Results

Read values, get a callback, or sync changes to your warehouse

[Get results](/deliver/callbacks)

## 

[​

](#turn-it-on)

Turn it on

Add `FILE_SCOUT` to `enabledProducts` when you request an upload:

```
curl -X POST "$FILEAI_BASE_URL/files/upload" \
  -H "x-api-key: $FILEAI_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "fileName": "annual-report-2025.pdf", "fileType": "application/pdf", "enabledProducts": ["FILE_SCOUT"] }'
```

fileScout can’t be combined with `storageOnly: true`. To check the same file with fileForensics, add `FILE_FORENSICS` too; see [Choose products](/ingest/uploads#choose-products).

## 

[​

](#pricing)

Pricing

fileScout costs **$0.015 per page**, counted once processing completes. See [Billing](/account/billing).

File

Pages counted

PDF, Word, PowerPoint, TIFF

Each page

Images (JPEG, PNG, WEBP, HEIC)

1

CSV

1

Excel (XLS, XLSX)

Each worksheet

## 

[​

](#next-steps)

Next steps

## Extract fields

Define the fields fileScout fills.

## Financial report example

A 60-page report, element by element.

[Previous](/authentication)[

Quickstart

Upload a file and read its structured values in about 5 minutes.

Next

](/quickstart/api)

⌘I

## On this page

Back to top

*   [Start here](#start-here)
*   [How it works](#how-it-works)
*   [What’s included](#what%E2%80%99s-included)
*   [Turn it on](#turn-it-on)
*   [Pricing](#pricing)
*   [Next steps](#next-steps)