Auto Update Text from File in OBS Studio

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to configure the built-in text source in OBS Studio to read from an external text log file. You will learn how to enable automatic updates so that any changes to the file—including line breaks—are instantly reflected on your live stream.

Step 1: Prepare Your Text Log File

Before configuring OBS, ensure your text log file is formatted correctly. The external application or script generating the log should write standard line breaks (CRLF for Windows, LF for macOS/Linux) and save the file in UTF-8 encoding to prevent character display issues.

Step 2: Add the Text Source in OBS Studio

Open OBS Studio and navigate to the Sources dock.
Click the + (plus) icon and select Text (GDI+) on Windows, or Text (FreeType 2) on macOS/Linux.
Name your source (e.g., “Live Log Viewer”) and click OK.

Step 3: Link the Text File

In the Text Source properties window, locate and check the box labeled Read from file.
Click the Browse button next to the “Text file” field.
Locate your text log file and click Open.

Once selected, the content of your log file, including any existing line breaks, will immediately appear in the OBS preview window.

Step 4: Configure Automatic Updates and Line Breaks

OBS Studio automatically monitors the linked text file for changes. Whenever your log-generating tool writes a new line or modifies the file, OBS will refresh the source in real-time. To ensure line breaks display correctly, configure the following settings in the Text properties window:

Word Wrap: Check the Word Wrap box if you want long lines of text to automatically break and wrap to the next line based on a specific width limit.
Vertical Alignment: If your log file appends new lines to the bottom, set the vertical alignment to Top. If you want to force specific text framing, adjust the alignment settings accordingly.

Any standard newline characters generated in your log file will now render perfectly as line breaks in your stream overlay.