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pythonfilefile-handlingpython-os

How do I move a file in Python?

How can I do the equivalent of mv in Python?

mv "path/to/current/file.foo" "path/to/new/destination/for/file.foo"
Solution

  • os.rename(), os.replace(), or shutil.move()

    All employ the same syntax:

    import os
import shutil

os.rename("path/to/current/file.foo", "path/to/new/destination/for/file.foo")
os.replace("path/to/current/file.foo", "path/to/new/destination/for/file.foo")
shutil.move("path/to/current/file.foo", "path/to/new/destination/for/file.foo")
    • The filename ("file.foo") must be included in both the source and destination arguments. If it differs between the two, the file will be renamed as well as moved.
    • The directory within which the new file is being created must already exist.
    • On Windows, a file with that name must not exist or an exception will be raised, but os.replace() will silently replace a file even in that occurrence.
    • shutil.move simply calls os.rename in most cases. However, if the destination is on a different disk than the source, it will instead copy and then delete the source file.