if

Before running this

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Syntax

UPPERCASE words are placeholders to replace. Brackets in the syntax line describe optional arguments; do not type those brackets literally.

if CONDITION COMMAND

Example

if exist note.txt echo found

Expected result

found when the path exists.

Notes and traps

IF EXIST can match directories too. A block can need delayed expansion when variables change within it.

Related commands

• PowerShell: Test-Path
• Bash: test

Related tasks may need different flags and have different semantics. Check the entry before translating a command between shells.

Updated 13 September 2026. Examples describe the expected behavior; not every platform is available for execution testing.