# Stdin AND Windows

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/stdin-and-windows/84262>\
**Category:** Logstash\
**Created:** [May 2, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/stdin-and-windows/84262 "2017-05-02T13:03:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mario\_van\_Gemert](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/mario_van_gemert/32/13832_2.png) [@Mario\_van\_Gemert](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Mario_van_Gemert)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/stdin-and-windows/84262/1 "2017-05-02T13:03:51Z")

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In order to read my files I always use a path in my input section, like this:  
input {  
file {  
path =\> ["D:\ELK-5.3.0\logstash-5.3.0\filename.csv"]  
start\_position =\> "beginning"  
sincedb\_path =\> "NUL"  
}  
}

This works fine, but how do I read this specific file when using only the stdin:  
input {  
stdin {  
}  
}

I receive a: "The stdin plugin is now waiting for input:" message, but how do I read my file now? I am using Windows.

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**Author:** ![paz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/paz/32/28003_2.png) [@paz](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/paz)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/stdin-and-windows/84262/2 "2017-05-02T13:14:05Z")

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The _stdin_ stands for _standard input_, which is listening on your console window for input (anything you type there would be processed by logstash).

There is no easy way to directly read a file with a stdin input, expect from opening the file with a text editor and copy-paste lines in the terminal.

May I ask why do you want to use stdin for this?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mario\_van\_Gemert](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/mario_van_gemert/32/13832_2.png) [@Mario\_van\_Gemert](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Mario_van_Gemert)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 1:18pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/stdin-and-windows/84262/3 "2017-05-02T13:18:02Z")

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Just to be more flexible when selecting different files. So, to prevent me from having to edit my .conf input section each time I select a different file. But, if this is not working then it is not a problem. I just need to edit my .conf. Thnx!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/stdin-and-windows/84262/4 "2017-05-30T13:23:28Z")

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Closed on May 30, 2017, 1:23pm UTC

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