diff --git a/netbox/core/api/serializers.py b/netbox/core/api/serializers.py
index a16a06d62..eef8e9ced 100644
--- a/netbox/core/api/serializers.py
+++ b/netbox/core/api/serializers.py
@@ -47,13 +47,19 @@ class DataFileSerializer(NetBoxModelSerializer):
     source = NestedDataSourceSerializer(
         read_only=True
     )
+    data = serializers.SerializerMethodField(
+        read_only=True
+    )
 
     class Meta:
         model = DataFile
         fields = [
-            'id', 'url', 'display', 'source', 'path', 'last_updated', 'size', 'hash',
+            'id', 'url', 'display', 'source', 'path', 'last_updated', 'size', 'hash', 'data'
         ]
 
+    def get_data(self, obj):
+        return obj.data_as_string
+
 
 class JobSerializer(BaseModelSerializer):
     url = serializers.HyperlinkedIdentityField(view_name='core-api:job-detail')