FileReader.readAsBinaryString()

The readAsBinaryString method is used to start reading the contents of the specified Blob or File. When the read operation is finished, the readyState becomes DONE, and the loadend is triggered. At that time, the result attribute contains the raw binary data from the file.

Note that this method was once removed from the File API specification, but re-introduced for backward compatibility.
Using FileReader.readAsArrayBuffer() is recommended.

Syntax

instanceOfFileReader.readAsBinaryString(blob);

Parameters

blob
The Blob or File from which to read.

Example

var canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
var height = 200;
var width  = 200;

canvas.width  = width;
canvas.height = height;

var ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');

ctx.strokeStyle = '#090';
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.arc(width/2, height/2, width/2 - width/10, 0, Math.PI*2);
ctx.stroke();

canvas.toBlob(function (blob) {
  var reader = new FileReader();

  reader.onload = function () {
    console.log(reader.result);
  }

  reader.readAsBinaryString(blob);
});

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
File API
The definition of 'readAsBinaryString' in that specification.
Working Draft

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
readAsBinaryStringChrome Full support 7Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 3.6IE No support NoOpera Full support 11Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 32Opera Android Full support 11Safari iOS Full support 6.1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support

See also