---
title: "system.file.fileExists"
description: "Checks to see if a file or folder at a given path exists."
---

# system.file.fileExists

> Checks to see if a file or folder at a given path exists.

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description
:::note
This function is scoped for Perspective Sessions, but since all scripts in Perspective run on the Gateway, the file must be located on the Gateway's file system.
:::

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](../../../ignition-modules/vision/vision-project-properties/vision-project-properties.md#vision-permissions-properties) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.file.fileExists(filepath)`

### Parameters
Type | Parameter | Description 
------- | ------- | ------
String | `filepath` | The path of the file or folder to check.
 
### Returns
**Boolean** - True if the file/folder exists, false otherwise.

### Scope
Gateway, Vision Client, Perspective Session

## Code Examples
```python title="Example #1"
# This basic example shows how the fileExists function is used in its simplest form:
if system.file.fileExists("C:\\temp_file.txt"):
   system.gui.messageBox("Yes, the file exists")
else:
   system.gui.messageBox("No, it doesn't exist")
```

```python title="Example #2"
# This code uses the fileExists function, along with other system.file.* functions, to prompt the user to confirm that they want to overwrite an existing file.
filename = system.file.saveFile(name)
if filename != None:
   reallyWrite = 1
   if system.file.fileExists(filename):
   overwriteMessage = "File '%s' already exists. Overwrite?"
      reallyWrite = system.gui.confirm(overwriteMessage % filename)
   if reallyWrite:
      system.file.writeFile(filename, "This will be the contents of my new file")
```