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212
In Unix, how do I refer to files with names containing a space?


The commands described below need to be entered while logged in to the Unix server.   Normally you'll see a prompt ending with $ when the command interpreter (or shell) is ready for another command.

Suppose you have a file called

my file (with a space between the words my and file)

Then (for example):

  • To view the file without renaming it:
    more   my?file
    (the ? signifies 'any character' and can be used to represent a space)
  • To rename the file and then view it:
    mv   my?file   my_file
    (mv means 'move', or rename)
    more my_file

You can also enclose the entire file name in double-quotes, like this:

more   "my file"

or

mv   "my file"   my_file

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Created by Andy Clews on 27 July 2001 and last updated by Andy Clews on 4 August 2015