---
title: Use Access to Read from a Topic
slug: litmusedge/how-to-guides/flows-guides/use-access-to-read-from-a-topic
description: You can use Flows to read a topic from a tag through the local message broker using an Access Subscribe node.
docTags: 
createdAt: 2023-06-06T18:08:19.000Z
---

You can use Flows to read a topic from a tag through the local message broker using an **Access Subscribe **node.

# Before you Begin

Make sure you create an Access API account. See [Create an Access Account](docId\:ooFSO7dy11ARKZRYOxbOY) and [Manage API Accounts](docId:3frW37LYQLZRKaGGyROUb) for more information.

# Step 1: Add a Device

Follow the steps to [Connect a Device](#) and configure the following parameters:

- **Device Type**: Simulator
- **Driver Name**: Generator
- **Enable Alias Topics**: Select the checkbox. 

# Step 2: Add Tags

After connecting the device, add the following tag. See [Add Tags](#) to learn more. 

## Tag 1

- **Name**: Select **S - Random value generator**.
- **Value Type**: Select **int64**. 
- **Polling Interval**: Enter **5**.
- **Tag Name**: Enter **tag 1**. 

After the tag is created, click the **Copy **icon for the topic name for the tag. You will refer to this later. 

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/mEGGMuMlsreHyxmJAoVkv_a.png "The copy icon for the tag")

# Step 3: Create Access Flow

**To read a topic from a tag using Access:**

1. In Litmus Edge, navigate to the **Flows Manager **and create a new flow. 
   See [Create a Flow](docId\:wh4ZihWF0PwMRYRbAZbco) to learn more. 
2. Drag the **Access Subscribe** and **Debug** nodes to the canvas and wire them together.
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/GE8GmsiNA7lY7RxUIEnxr_image.png" size="70" width="430" height="96" position="center" caption="Access Subscribe node" showCaption="true"}
3. In Litmus Edge, navigate to **System **>** Tokens**.
4. Click the** Action menu** for the API account you created previously and select **Edit topics**.
   ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/ulieET8TXxv4ZDLvatucb_image.png "System Tokens page")
5. From the *Edit topics*** **dialog box, do the following:
   - Paste the topic name from Step 2 in the **Read Topics** field, and click **Add Read Topic**.
     The topic name appears below the *Topic Name field*.
   - Click **Update**.
     ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/6H3Qzx3atDGas5fu_Baj1_image.png" size="70" width="621" height="296" position="center" caption="Edit topics dialog box" showCaption="true"}
6. Return to the **Flows **browser tab and double-click the **Access Subscribe **node.
   The *Edit access-subscribe node *dialog box appears.
   - **Topic Name**: Paste the topic name from Step 2. If you paste a topic from the Tags pane that has not been added to the Access **Read Topic **field, you will get an error.
   - Click the **Edit **icon next to the *Access *field.
     ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/5xemEvAFN5gSeTVG20ce7_image.png" size="70" width="450" height="290" position="center" caption="Edit access-subscribe node dialog" showCaption="true"}
7. Return to the **System **>** Tokens **browser tab and do the following:
   - Click the **Action menu **for the API account and select **View API Key**.
   - Click the **Copy** icon next to the *API Key*.
     ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/570PRoC_TXb83Yo_HdcGe_image.png "Access accounts table")
8. Return to the *Add new Access Connect config node* dialog box in the **Flows **browser tab and do the following:
   - **API Key**: Paste the API key you copied.
   - Click **Add **or **Update**.
     ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/-NQYM8NR2H7Mq-hcjI5-V_image.png" size="70" width="455" height="233" position="center" caption="Add new Access Connect config node dialog box" showCaption="true"}
9. Click **Done **and then click **Deploy.**
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/FUQ9crAbIGcM1UrBIDgbS_image.png" size="70" width="455" height="281" position="center" caption="Edit access-subscribe node dialog box" showCaption="true"}
10. Expand the message window beneath the flow and click the **Debug **icon.
    ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/wI_bbReMPplhSo_AuY11c_image.png "Flows canvas debug section")
11. Click the **Debug **node button to view the output in the *Debug message* window.
    ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/uVPzBGImLVrjepqSUyj_P_image.png "View the output for Access Subscribe node")