HOW TO

Change the default start directory for Jupyter Notebook

Last Published: July 21, 2023

Summary

By default, the start directory for Jupyter Notebook used in ArcGIS API for Python is set to the following folder:

C:\Users\<User>

However, it is possible to start the Jupyter Notebook with a different directory through the Python Command Prompt or by modifying the Jupyter Notebook .py configuration file.

Procedure

Use one of the solutions provided to start Jupyter Notebook in a different directory.

Temporarily start Jupyter Notebook in a different directory using the Python Command Prompt

  1. Start the Python Command Prompt. Click Start > ArcGIS > Python Command Prompt.
  2. Run the following command. The command opens Jupyter Notebook with the defined directory.
jupyter notebook --notebook-dir [LOCATION]
The Python Command Prompt with the command to start the Notebook in a different directory

Change the default directory by generating a config file

  1. Start the Python Command Prompt by clicking Start > ArcGIS > Python Command Prompt.
  2. Type the command below to create a config folder.
jupyter notebook --generate-config
The Python Command Prompt with the command to create the config file
  1. Navigate to the following folder location:
C:\Users\[USER]\.jupyter
  1. Open the jupyter_notebook_config.py file using a text editor, for example, Notepad++.
  2. Search for the comment, The directory to use for notebooks and kernels.
  3. Uncomment the line below it by removing the # symbol, and insert the desired directory. For example:
## The directory to use for notebooks and kernels.
c.NotebookApp.notebook_dir = r'C:\Users\User\Desktop\Work\test'
The jupyter_notebook_config file
  1. Run Jupyter Notebook using the Python Command Prompt using the jupyter notebook command.

Article ID:000018832

Software:
  • ArcGIS API for Python 1 x
  • ArcGIS Pro

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