How to Upload Files in Google Colab

The following code lets you upload one or more files from your computer directly into a Google Colab notebook:
from google.colab import files
uploaded = files.upload()
How it works
1. Import the file-upload tool
from google.colab import files
This imports Colab’s files module, which provides functions for uploading and downloading files in Google Colab.
2. Open the upload window
uploaded = files.upload()
When this line runs, Colab displays a Choose Files button. You can select one or more files from your computer.
The uploaded file(s) are stored in the uploaded variable as a dictionary.
For example, if you select a PDF, Colab uploads it to the notebook environment and stores its information in the uploaded variable.
3. Check the filename(s)
uploaded.keys()
Complete Example
from google.colab import files
uploaded = files.upload()
uploaded.keys()
Open the notebook
Open the Google Colab notebook for this PDF mini-guide and run the code as you follow along.
More PDF Python Resources
Want to learn how to open a PDF file?
Check out this mini-guide:





