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on the file vs in the file

It sounds better to say "in the file" than "on the file." Picture a manila file; does it have documents inside it or on top of it?
Kay profile picture

Explained by Kay
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 22, 2018 • 116536 views

on the file

This phrase is not correct. Don't use it.

If you are referring to something within a file, you would use the words "in the file," not "on the file." However, you could use the phrase "on file" when talking about maintaining a record, for example, "We will keep your resume on file."
  • Open the Downloads app. Touch Internet downloads or Other downloads. Press and hold down on the file you want to delete. Touch the trashcan icon to remove  ...
  • Jun 5, 2012 ... Steve Jobs on the File System. After Tim Cook's first appearance at the D10 conference last week, All Things D released a podcast containing ...
  • Sign in to the Dropbox website; Click in the white space to the right of the file name on the file viewer page (if your file is inside of a folder, first open the folder)  ...
  • We're showing you how to deal on the-file · Relax to the max. Zen-out before the busy week ahead with our 5 · Getting wet with this guy. Find out why he gets ...

Some alternatives from our editors:

  • in the file

in the file

This phrase is correct.

You can use this phrase when referring to a document within a file.

Some examples from our editors:

  • I don't see anything in the file; are you sure you sent this document to us?
  • There are several signed copies in the file.
  • Other... possible missing persons are in the file.
  • Her info's in the file.
  • The person's prints must be included as WSQ-compressed images in the file.
  • Additional Type-15 records may be included in the file.
  • Top secret government documents, some of which are in the file.
  • Everything else is in the file.
  • Items contained in the file shall be given a serial number.
  • Her last known is in the file.
  • Double-click on an image file in the file manager or other application.
  • Character set used to write the tag data in the file.
  • Character set used to write ID3v1 tag data in the file.
  • My number's in the file.
  • Nothing in the file about tiny having a wife.
  • I don't recall an interview in the file.
  • There was no mention in the file about a boyfriend.
  • It says in the file that Heather Vanderwaal has a daughter.
  • Disclosure of other non-confidential versions of documents in the file, when justified.
  • Grayson put this clipping in the file on purpose.
  • It's all in the file that MacAllen took.
  • An error occurred while opening a directory in the file manager

Some alternatives from our editors:

  • within the file
  • inside the file

Related Comparisons

Based on the file vs Based in the file into the file vs onto the list in the thread vs on the thread right-click on the file vs right-click the file update on the file vs update in the file

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