Cannot open csv file in jupyter, windows 10 even though the file exists

Question

I tried to open my csv files in jupyter windows 10 and it shows the error "SyntaxError: (unicode error) 'unicodeescape' codec can't decode bytes in position 2-3: truncated \UXXXXXXXX escape". I have also went to other threads to find solution like df = pd.read_csv('~/Desktop/FullData.csv') and it says file does not exist even though it exists. Any suggestions?

import pandas as pd
import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

df = pd.read_csv('C:\Users\kkang2\Desktop\FullData.csv')  #<--error here

Two things: 1) Is the case correct? Win is not case sensitive but python is. 2) If correct, open Explorer > Shift right-click “copy as path”. Paste this path into your notebook and compare for differences. — s3dev
– s3dev, Commented Mar 5, 2020 at 9:24
@S3DEV i replaced my original path with the one that i found using copy as path with this "\\fab2crp-nas1\home22\kkang2\Profile\Desktop\FullData.csv" and it still gives the file does not exist error... — cena
– cena, Commented Mar 5, 2020 at 9:31
Have you replaced the backslashes with forward slashes? //fab2crp-nas1/home22/kkang2/Profile/Desktop/FullData.csv — s3dev
– s3dev, Commented Mar 5, 2020 at 9:33
My pleasure. So there were two issues here: 1) the original path was incorrect and 2) the backslashes were acting as escape charaters. Glad it's working for you. — s3dev
– s3dev, Commented Mar 5, 2020 at 9:39
cena: I reverted your last edit. Please don't apply solution to code in your question because then it no longer makes sense to others reading it. — martineau
– martineau, Commented Mar 5, 2020 at 10:25

s3dev · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-05 10:08:58Z

2

The backslashes are your issue - they are acting as escape characters.

Solution:

Use forward slashes like: 'C:/Users/kkang2/Desktop/FullData.csv'

Benefit:

Using forward slashes as above carries a benefit over double backslashes as this method is portable for both Win and *nix environments, when using relative paths.

edited Mar 5, 2020 at 10:08

answered Mar 5, 2020 at 9:04

s3dev

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4 Comments

cena Over a year ago

now it says" file does not exist error" when i have already saved my csv file on my desktop...

cena Over a year ago

it says name "os is not defined"

cena Over a year ago

it says false..which means it does not exist?

cena Over a year ago

But why is this so ? I have my csv file save on my desktop?

Никита Колесников · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-05 09:05:08Z

1

rewrite the path with two slashes

'C:\\Users\\kkang2\\Desktop\\FullData.csv'

edited Mar 5, 2020 at 9:05

answered Mar 5, 2020 at 9:03

Никита Колесников

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2 Comments

cena Over a year ago

@ Никита Колесников what do you mean by 2 slashes?

Никита Колесников Over a year ago

back double slash, example - "\\path"

RAHUL MAURYA · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-05 10:17:57Z

0

Try this: Use 'r' before providing path to the pd.read_csv method.

df = pd.read_csv(r'C:/Users/kkang2/Desktop/FullData.csv')

'r' stands for 'raw'. Please look over the internet if you are more interested.

answered Mar 5, 2020 at 10:17

RAHUL MAURYA

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Comments

Vinod Kumar · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-05 10:35:55Z

0

I prefer using the os package

import pandas as pd
import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
import os

dirname = 'C:\Users\kkang2\Desktop'
filename = 'FullData.csv'
df = pd.read_csv(os.path.join(dirname, filename))

With os even the backslash works.

answered Mar 5, 2020 at 10:35

Vinod Kumar

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