---
last_review: "2026-05-07"
last_reviewer: "s.kaviani"
documented_code: [ ]
---

```{tags} advanced-user, how-to
```

% Issue: https://gitlab.indiscale.com/caosdb/src/linkahead-docs/-/work_items/103

# How to Update a File

This guide shows how to replace the content of an existing file record with a new local file,
keeping the same record and server-side path.

## Prerequisites

PyLinkAhead must be installed and a connection configured.
See [Setting Up PyLinkAhead](/how_to/dev_guides/pylib/README_SETUP_pylib.md)
and [How to Configure PyLinkAhead](/how_to/dev_guides/pylib/configure_pylinkahead.md).

## Steps

1. Retrieve the file record of interest, for example by name:

   ```{literalinclude} /.assets/tests/tutorials/pylib/test_data_insertion.py
   :start-after: "# ---- LINK-22 ----"
   :end-before: "# ---- LINK-23 ----"
   :language: python
   :dedent:
   ```

2. Set `file_upd.file` to the path of the new local file to upload:

   ```{literalinclude} /.assets/tests/tutorials/pylib/test_data_insertion.py
   :start-after: "# ---- LINK-23 ----"
   :end-before: "# ---- LINK-24 ----"
   :language: python
   :dedent:
   ```

   `file_upd.path` holds the server-side path of the file, which stays unchanged
   after the update.

3. Push the update:

   ```{literalinclude} /.assets/tests/tutorials/pylib/test_data_insertion.py
   :start-after: "# ---- LINK-24 ----"
   :end-before: "# ---- LINK-25 ----"
   :language: python
   :dedent:
   ```