# How do I locate hidden dot files on Open OnDemand?

**URL:** <https://ask.cyberinfrastructure.org/t/how-do-i-locate-hidden-dot-files-on-open-ondemand/2498>\
**Category:** University of Alabama at Birmingham\
**Tags:** bash\
**Created:** [September 15, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://ask.cyberinfrastructure.org/t/how-do-i-locate-hidden-dot-files-on-open-ondemand/2498 "2022-09-15T21:11:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![wwarr](https://ask.cyberinfrastructure.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/3be4f8/32.png) [@wwarr](https://ask.cyberinfrastructure.org/u/wwarr)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://ask.cyberinfrastructure.org/t/how-do-i-locate-hidden-dot-files-on-open-ondemand/2498/2 "2022-09-16T17:38:11Z")

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## What are Hidden Dot Files?

Dot files are files or directories that start with the character `.` as in the file `.bashrc` or the `.conda` directory. They are generally hidden from view in most file browsers.

## To Show Hidden Dot Files

If you are using Open OnDemand, please navigate to `https://rc.uab.edu`, login and click the `Files` dropdown in the top navigation menu. Click “Home Directory”. More detailed instructions on the file browser can be found at Open OnDemand Files. Once you’ve opened the file browser, check the checkbox labeled “Show Dotfiles” in the top-right of the page.

![File browser bar with Show Dotfiles checked.](https://ask.cyberinfrastructure.org/uploads/default/original/1X/d9fe60a4b1a15964d4f3a77b8bac91500360adf4.png)

If you are using the terminal, you’ll need to use `cd` to navigate to the appropriate directory and enter use `ls` with the `-a` flag to list all files and directories, including hidden ones.

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