SFTP task

Table of Contents

Note: Each SFTP task execution triggers an API call in the back-end. These API calls are deducted from your overall external calls limit that is provided for your Creator plan. Here, the system counts the number of actual executions, and not the number of times the task appears in the script.

Overview

The SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) task in Deluge allows you to access and modify:

  • files on a remote server using upload and download operations.
  • file transfers between your Zoho service and external storage.

Note:

  • You can use this task to download files up to 5 MB.
  • This task is currently not applicable in Zoho Flow.

Syntax

response = SFTP
[
action: action_type
host: host_name
port: port_number
path: path_value
files: file_name
connection: connection_name
];
ParameterData typeDescription
<response>KEY-VALUE / FILE / TEXT / LISTThe variable that will contain the response returned. Specify if the response is to be performed on the remote server.
<action_type>TEXT

The type of action to be performed in the server. 

Allowed Values:

  • upload
  • download
<host_name>TEXTThe domain name of the remote server.
<port_number>(Optional) NUMBERThe value of the port of the server to be mentioned. 
Default: 22
<path_value>TEXTThe URL path of the service to be accessed, excluding the base URL. For example, "/myftpserver.example.com". The path is necessary, especially for download action.

If no path is specified, the root directory will be considered as the destination folder. If a path is specified, then it must start with "/" .
<file_object>(Optional) TEXTThe name of the file object to be uploaded to the server. This is mandatory for upload.
<connection_name>(Optional) TEXTThe connection name configured to access the remote server.

Use Case

An enterprise manages updated policy documents and procedural templates that are sourced from a public repository. These documents need to be uploaded to a secure SFTP server so internal teams and automated systems can access the latest files from a centralized, trusted location.

// Log initial step
info "SFTP";
info "****";

// Download a sample file from a public URL
sftpTxtFile = invokeurl
[
url : "https://sample-files.com/downloads/documents/txt/simple.txt"
type : GET
];

// Convert the text response into a file object
sftpTxtFile = sftpTxtFile.toFile("sftp.txt");
info sftpTxtFile;

// Upload the file to a secure SFTP server
uploadFtp = sftp
[
action : upload
host : "sftp.examplehost.com"
port : 22
path : ""
files : sftpTxtFile
connection : "sftp_connection"
];
info uploadFtp;

// Download the same file from the SFTP server
downloadFtp = sftp
[
action : download
host : "sftp.examplehost.com"
port : 22
path : "/sftp.txt"
connection : "sftp_connection"
];
info downloadFtp;

// Output the content of the downloaded file for validation
info downloadFtp.getFileContent();

Examples

Example 1: Upload File to a Remote Server

// Upload a file to SFTP server
uploadSftp = sftp
[
action : upload
host : "sftp.examplehost.com"
port : 22
path : "/exports/"
files : monthlyreport
connection : "sftp_connection"
];
info uploadSftp;

Example 2: Download File from a Remote Server

// Download a file from SFTP server
downloadSftp = sftp
[
action : download
host : "ftp.examplehost.com"
port : 22
path : "/home/uploads/example.png"
];
info downloadSftp;

Response Format

  • The standard response will be returned in the following format:

     {
     "responseText": "Example.png",
     }
     
  • The response for the request to return the response code will be in the following format: 
     {
     File has been uploaded successfully
     200
     }

Troubleshooting for SFTP server

1. Host unreachable or connection timeout 

These errors occur when Deluge cannot connect to the SFTP server during upload or download file operations.

Check host and port settings

  • Verify that the SFTP host name and port number are correct (SFTP uses port 22).

Check server accessibility

  • Confirm that the SFTP server accepts external connections.

  • If IP restrictions are enabled, request the administrator to whitelist Zoho's outbound IP ranges.

Check connectivity tools

  • Test the server using an SFTP client such as FileZilla or WinSCP to ensure it is active and reachable.

Check firewall and security rules

  • Ensure required ports are open and not blocked by firewalls or security tools.

2. Authentication Errors 

These errors occur when the server is reachable but login fails.

Validate credentials

  • Confirm that the username and password match what is configured on the SFTP server.

Check account status

  • Ensure the SFTP user account is active and permitted to access the target directory.

Check special login restrictions

  • Ask your server administrator if additional login rules or IP-based constraints apply.

3. File Transfer Errors 

These errors happen after login, during upload or download.

Check directory permissions

  • Verify that the SFTP user has read/write access to the target directory.

Use complete paths

  • Always provide absolute paths (for example, /home/data/report.txt) instead of relative paths.

Validate folder existence

  • Ensure all directories referenced in the script already exist on the server.

Check naming and case sensitivity

  • Confirm the exact file and folder names, especially on Linux servers that enforce case sensitivity.

Related Links