# Serialize To File

## ![](/files/OPIvWtQUyZdAzrxpFGzi) Serialize To File

### Description <a href="#description" id="description"></a>

The Serialize To File transform stores rows of data in a binary format in a file. The binary format has an advantage over a text (flat) file because the content does not have to be parsed when read back. The metadata is stored in the file as well.

The Serialize to file transform supports a write-once access pattern, and does not support appending to existing files.

| Hop Engine | <sup>✓</sup> |
| ---------- | ------------ |
| Spark      | ?            |
| Flink      | ?            |
| Dataflow   | ?            |


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