# Outputting file changes using a tail node

You can monitor files for changes. Whenever a monitored file changes, a message containing the changes is injected into the flow.

1. Open Node-RED.
2. Add a tail node from the storage category to the workspace.
3. Double-click the tail node to open the Edit tail node dialogue.
4. In the Filename text box, specify the path to the file that you want to monitor (e. g. /home/admin/user).

5. The memory card is accessible at the file path /run/media/mmcblk0p1/.

6. In the File type drop-down list, select whether you want to monitor a text file or a binary file.

7. The output of a tail node depends on the type of file. Changes to a text file are output as strings. Changes to a binary file are output as buffer objects.

8. If you are monitoring a text file and want to replace \n by line breaks in the output , enable the Split lines on \n? check box.
9. Click Done to apply your changes.
10. Add more nodes to the workspace and connect them to a flow with the tail node being the first node.