File Operations

Find, view, and change files and folders

Use file operation functions to get information about files, manage files and folders, and open specified files. For more information, see Manage Files and Folders.

Functions

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Get File Information

`dir`	List folder contents
`ls`	List folder contents
`pwd`	Identify current folder
`fileattrib`	Set or get attributes of file or folder
`exist`	Check existence of variable, script, function, folder, or class
`isfile`	Determine if input is file
`isfolder`	Determine if input is folder
`isSymbolicLink`	Determine if input is symbolic link (Since R2024b)
`type`	Display contents of file
`visdiff`	Compare two files or folders
`what`	List MATLAB files in folder
`which`	Locate functions and files
`filebrowser`	Open Current Folder browser

Create, Change, and Delete Files and Folders

`cd`	Change current folder
`copyfile`	Copy file or folder
`createSymbolicLink`	Create symbolic link (Since R2024b)
`delete`	Delete files or objects
`recycle`	Set option to move deleted files to recycle folder
`mkdir`	Make new folder
`movefile`	Move or rename file or folder
`rmdir`	Remove folder

Open Files

`open`	Open file in appropriate application
`winopen`	Open file in appropriate application (Windows)

Topics

Manage Files and Folders
Create, open, move, and rename files and folders.
Find Files
Search for files using both simple and more advanced search methods.
Compare Files and Folders and Merge Files

View and merge changes between two files or folders.
- Compare and Merge Live Scripts and Functions
- Compare and Merge Apps
- Compare and Merge MAT-Files
- Compare XML Files
Files and Folders That MATLAB Accesses
When you do not specify a path to a file, MATLAB^® looks for the file in the current folder or on the search path. Functions in the current folder take precedence over functions with the same file name that reside anywhere on the search path.
Current Folder Browser Preferences
Specify the number of files that display in the Current Folder browser, and customize their appearance.
Access Files in MATLAB Online
Upload and download files to and from MATLAB Online™ and preview files.
Work with Remote Data
Work with remote data in Amazon S3™, Azure^® Blob Storage, or HDFS™.