# How to specify relative directories for PDF downloads?

**URL:** https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-specify-relative-directories-for-pdf-downloads/1814
**Category:** Help
**Created:** [November 26, 2019, 10:21pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-specify-relative-directories-for-pdf-downloads/1814 "2019-11-26T22:21:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Ajs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@Ajs12](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Ajs12)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2019, 10:21pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-specify-relative-directories-for-pdf-downloads/1814/1 "2019-11-26T22:21:56Z")

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Hello,

I am attempting to specify a directory path relative to where my bib file is located in order to store downloaded PDF files. However, under my current settings:

- "Use the BIB file location as primary file directory

Library Specific Settings:

- General File Directory: ./Folder
- User-specific File Directory: ./Folder
- LaTex file Directory: ./Folder

Jabref saves the pdf files to the root of my BIB directory (i.e. the same folder where my BIB file is) rather than to the “Folder” directory I specified. Is this due to an error in my settings? Can I specify paths relative to my BIB directory? If not, can I specify the file using a “~” or “$HOME” variable?

Mainly asking because I want to be able to sync my bib/pdf files across a few computers that have varying usernames for some reason.

Addendum: Forgot to mention this is for Jabref 5.0+

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### Author: ![Siedlerchr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/siedlerchr/32/216_2.png) [@Siedlerchr](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Siedlerchr)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2019, 8:56am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-specify-relative-directories-for-pdf-downloads/1814/2 "2019-11-27T08:56:24Z")

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Hi,

The setting “Use bib file location as primary dir” overwrites all other settings, e.g. has the main precedence.  
Just uncheck it and it should work.

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### Author: ![Ajs12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@Ajs12](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Ajs12)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2019, 9:22am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-specify-relative-directories-for-pdf-downloads/1814/3 "2019-11-27T09:22:00Z")

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. . .So I had already tried not using the “Use the BIB file location as primary file directory” option, however I could not figure out how Jabref treated relative file locations.

And. . .I can’t believe I just figured this out. All I had to do was just specify the folder, i.e. as “Folder” instead of “./Folder”.

Ty for the clarification.