How do I enable apache file and directory indexing under Linux or UNIX?

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: April 15, 2007]

Q. I’m using Apache 2 under Linux. How do I enable apache file and directory indexing? Currently it is disabled and I would like to enable the same for /pdfs/ directory (http://domain.com/pdfs).

A. Under Apache web server automatic index generation is enabled with using Options +Indexes or Options Indexes directive.

If a URL which maps to a directory is requested, and there is no DirectoryIndex (e.g., index.html) in that directory, then mod_autoindex will return a formatted listing of the directory.

Option # 1: Using Apache config file

Add directory option to Apache configuration file /etc/httpd/httpd.conf or /etc/apache2/apache2.conf:
# vi /etc/apache2/apache2.conf
Add following code:
<Directory /var/www/domain.com/pdfs> Options Indexes FollowSymLinks </Directory>

Save and close the file. Restart Apache:
# /etc/init.d/httpd restart
OR
# /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

Option #2: Using .htaccess Files with Apache

You can place config line Options Indexes in .htaccess file. Make sure .htaccess file support is enabled.
Change directory to pdfs
$ cd pdfs
Open .htaccess file
$ vi .htaccess
Append following apache directive:
Options Indexes
Save and close the file.

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