# Problems changing neo4js import directory

**URL:** <https://community.neo4j.com/t/problems-changing-neo4js-import-directory/61075>\
**Category:** Import / Export\
**Tags:** import\
**Created:** [February 23, 2023, 11:01am UTC](https://community.neo4j.com/t/problems-changing-neo4js-import-directory/61075 "2023-02-23T11:01:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tim.voelcker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/community.neo4j.com/tim.voelcker/32/27710_2.png) [@tim.voelcker](https://community.neo4j.com/u/tim.voelcker)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2023, 11:01am UTC](https://community.neo4j.com/t/problems-changing-neo4js-import-directory/61075/1 "2023-02-23T11:01:37Z")

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Hi everyone,

I want to import files from a different location than the import folder in neo4j\_HOME. I figured out that i need to comment out the directory in the config part, but i'm still stuck in the neo4j\_HOME folder. I'd love to set it that i can start in C: ... but don't really know how to archieve it. Any help appreciated \<3

i commented this out, but couldn't really find any specific in the manual

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/neo4jcommunity/original/3X/f/8/f81649c26e99dd03fa88b7728219be3709be0180.png)

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**Author:** ![alison.cossette](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/community.neo4j.com/alison.cossette/32/27383_2.png) [@alison.cossette](https://community.neo4j.com/u/alison.cossette)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2023, 1:16pm UTC](https://community.neo4j.com/t/problems-changing-neo4js-import-directory/61075/2 "2023-02-23T13:16:37Z")

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Tim - thanks for your question. I have a short answer and an optional long answer.

**SHORT ANSWER:**

To import files from a different location than the default import folder in Neo4j, you can specify the file path of the folder in your Cypher script using the LOAD CSV command. For example:

```auto
LOAD CSV FROM 'file:///C:/your_folder/your_file.csv' AS row

```

This will load data from the specified file in the "C:\your\_folder" directory. Note that you should replace "your\_file.csv" with the name of your actual file.

**LONG ANSWER**

To make it easier to load files from a specific folder, you can also create a symbolic link in the Neo4j import folder that points to the desired folder location. Here's how you can create a symbolic link in Windows:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Navigate to the Neo4j import folder by entering the following command: `cd path\to\neo4j\import`
3. Create a symbolic link using the `mklink` command. For example: `mklink /D my_folder C:\your_folder`
4. You should now see a new folder called "my\_folder" in the Neo4j import folder that points to the "C:\your\_folder" directory.
5. You can now use the following command to load files from the "C:\your\_folder" directory: `LOAD CSV FROM 'file:///my_folder/your_file.csv' AS row`

This should allow you to load data from a specific folder location in your Cypher scripts. The advantage of this method is that if you have files living in a central or alternate folder you have access directly from your Neo\_4j import\my\_folder. Either way should accomplish the task.

Let us know how it goes.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tim.voelcker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/community.neo4j.com/tim.voelcker/32/27710_2.png) [@tim.voelcker](https://community.neo4j.com/u/tim.voelcker)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.neo4j.com/t/problems-changing-neo4js-import-directory/61075/3 "2023-02-24T12:21:30Z")

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Hi Alison,

actually the long answer works perfectly for me.

Thanks a lot for your detailed description :)