Python .seek()

The .seek() file method allows the user to move the location of the file handle’s reference point within an open file from one place to another.

Syntax

file.seek(offset, from what location)

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Example

Use .seek() to change the position of the reference point within the gullivers_travels.txt file:

f = open("gullivers_travels.txt", "r")

# Print first line of the document from default 0th position
print(f.readline())

# Change the reference point to the 50th index position
f.seek(50)

# Print line from new reference point
print(f.readline())

f.close()

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Codebyte Example

The example below opens a file named demofile.txt first at the default position, Then again using .seek() at the 5th index position:

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