> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://anaconda.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Editing Navigator and conda configuration files

You can edit Navigator and conda configuration files through either the [Navigator Preferences dialog](#navigator-preferences-dialog) or in your [preferred text editor](#preferred-text-editor).

<Warning>
  Be careful when changing values directly in the configuration files for Navigator or conda. Incorrect configuration can cause issues with these products.
</Warning>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Navigator Preferences dialog">
    1. In Anaconda Navigator, open the Navigator Preferences dialog.

           <Tabs>
             <Tab title="Windows/Linux">
               Open the **File** menu and click *Preferences*.
             </Tab>

             <Tab title="macOS">
               Open the **Anaconda Navigator** or **python** menu and click *Preferences*.
             </Tab>
           </Tabs>

    2. Click **Configure Navigator** to open the `anaconda-navigator.ini` file or click **Configure Conda** to open the `.condarc` file within Navigator.

    3. Edit the file to change any configurations.

       When you edit the Navigator and conda configuration files in Navigator, a validation tool warns you about missed requirements or incorrect formatting. The `.condarc` file must be a valid `.yaml` format file.

           <Frame>
             <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/eSsEBS6xLmJK8V-1/images/nav-config-file-validation.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eSsEBS6xLmJK8V-1&q=85&s=33dc47c102c5b8734a8184c073c6c956" alt="" width="3460" height="2162" data-path="images/nav-config-file-validation.png" />
           </Frame>

    4. Click **Save and Restart** to save any changes to the open configuration file and restart Navigator.

    For a list of all Navigator Preferences, see [Navigator preferences](/tools/anaconda-navigator/preferences).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Preferred text editor">
    Follow these steps to locate, open, and edit the `.condarc` or `anaconda-navigator.ini` files in your preferred text editor:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Edit .condarc">
        1. Open your `.condarc` file in your text editor of choice.

                   <Accordion title="Where is my .condarc file?">
                     To locate your `.condarc` file, open Anaconda Prompt (Terminal on macOS/Linux) and run the following command:

                     ```sh theme={null}
                     conda config --show-sources
                     ```

                     ```sh Example return: highlight={1} theme={null}
                     ==> /Users/<USERNAME>/miniconda3/.condarc <==
                     channels:
                       - defaults
                     ```

                     <Note>
                       The `.condarc` is a hidden file on macOS and Linux. View hidden files and folders using the following guidance for your operating system:

                       <Tabs>
                         <Tab title="macOS">
                           Use Shift+Cmd+. in your Finder.
                         </Tab>

                         <Tab title="Linux">
                           Use Alt+. or Ctrl+H (depending on your file manager).
                         </Tab>
                       </Tabs>

                       ***

                       For more information on the `.condarc` file, see [Using the .condarc conda configuration file](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/stable/user-guide/configuration/use-condarc.html) in the official conda documentation.
                     </Note>
                   </Accordion>

        2. Make and save your changes.

           The `.condarc` file must be a valid `.yaml` format file.

        3. Close and reopen Navigator or any Anaconda Prompt or command line windows.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Edit anaconda-navigator.ini">
        1. Open your `anaconda-navigator.ini` file in your text editor of choice.

                   <Accordion title="Where is my anaconda-navigator.ini file?">
                     The `anaconda-navigator.ini` file is created after you have opened Navigator for the first time. It is located in the `navigator` folder, which is inside an `.anaconda` folder in your Home directory. This folder is hidden on macOS and Linux and is not visible in file browsers under normal circumstances.

                     You can view hidden files and folders using the following guidance for your operating system:

                     <Tabs>
                       <Tab title="macOS">
                         To view hidden files on macOS, use Shift+Cmd+. in your Finder.
                       </Tab>

                       <Tab title="Linux">
                         To view hidden files on Linux, use Alt+. or Ctrl+H (depending on your file manager).
                       </Tab>
                     </Tabs>
                   </Accordion>

        2. Make and save your changes.

        3. Close and reopen Navigator or any Anaconda Prompt or command line windows.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>