Скачать или смотреть How to Resolve FileNotFoundError When Copying Files in Python

Learn how to fix the `FileNotFoundError` issue that occurs when moving or copying files in Python using shutil, especially when working with file paths from Excel spreadsheets.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63195980/ asked by the user 'Dale Addison' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/4212043/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63196168/ provided by the user 'Mike67' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13878034/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Understanding the FileNotFoundError Issue in Python

If you've ever tried to move or copy files in Python, you might have encountered the FileNotFoundError. This common error can stop your project in its tracks, especially when working with file paths generated dynamically from various sources like Excel sheets. In this guide, we will explore a specific case where this error arises and cover the solution in a step-by-step manner.

The Problem: Encountering FileNotFoundError

In your Python script, you are attempting to copy specific text files into a target directory. Despite appearing to function correctly when checking for file names, the copying action fails, resulting in an error message similar to:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The line of code where the failure occurs involves the use of the shutil.copy() function:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This raises the question: Why does the search work but the copying fails?

Analyzing the Code

Let's break down the code and find out what's causing the problem.

Directory Listing:
You have a directory from which you are trying to retrieve filenames:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This command fetches only the base filenames without their complete paths.

File Copy Logic:
When you attempt to copy a file using:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You are actually trying to copy from a file reference that does not include the path. Consequently, Python cannot locate the specified file, hence the FileNotFoundError.

The Solution: Including the Full Path

To resolve this issue, you need to provide the complete path of the file when attempting to copy it. This can be accomplished by modifying the shutil.copy() command to concatenate the original directory path with the filename:

Revised Code

Replace this line:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

with:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why This Works:

os.path.join: This function safely concatenates the directory and file name into a valid file path, preventing common errors that occur from manual concatenation.

Full Implementation

Here's how your relevant code section might look after the fix:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

The FileNotFoundError is a common hurdle when working with file operations in Python, especially when dealing with paths from external sources like Excel sheets. By ensuring that you provide a complete file path to the shutil.copy() function, you can avoid this error and successfully move or copy your files as intended.

If you follow the adjustments outlined in this post, you should be able to move forward in your project without disruption. Happy coding!