PlatformIO asks where to put your Arduino project when you import it, and you control that location in the Import Arduino Project dialog

When you import an existing Arduino project into PlatformIO, the IDE needs to know where to store the converted project files on your computer. By default, PlatformIO suggests a location in your user directory, but you can change this to any folder you have permission to write to. The import dialog appears the moment you start the import process, and that is where you set the destination.

The key is understanding that PlatformIO does not move your original Arduino files — it creates a new project structure alongside them or in a completely separate location. You choose which folder receives this new PlatformIO project during the import step itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The import location is set in the Import Arduino Project dialog, which appears when you select File > Import Arduino Project in PlatformIO.
  • PlatformIO creates a new folder structure for your project rather than modifying your original Arduino files in place.
  • You can import to any folder on your computer where you have write permissions, including an existing empty directory or a new one PlatformIO creates.
  • The project name and location are separate fields — changing the name does not automatically change where the project folder appears on disk.
  • If you import multiple Arduino projects, each one needs its own destination folder; PlatformIO will not let you import two projects to the same location.

Opening the Import Dialog and Locating the Path Field

Start PlatformIO and open the menu bar. Click File, then select Import Arduino Project. A dialog window opens with several fields. The field labeled Project Path or Import Location (the exact label varies by PlatformIO version) is where you specify the destination folder.

By default, PlatformIO fills this field with a path like C:\Users\YourName\Documents\PlatformIO\Projects\YourProjectName on Windows or /Users/YourName/Documents/PlatformIO/Projects/YourProjectName on macOS and Linux. This is a suggestion, not a requirement. You can replace it entirely.

Changing the Import Destination to a Custom Folder

Click the folder icon next to the Project Path field (usually a small button with a folder symbol). A file browser window opens. Navigate to the folder where you want PlatformIO to create your project. This can be anywhere on your computer — your Desktop, a dedicated Projects folder, or even a folder synced to cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive.

Once you have navigated to your chosen location, click Select Folder or Open (the button name depends on your operating system). PlatformIO returns to the import dialog and updates the Project Path field with your chosen location. If you want PlatformIO to create a new subfolder within that location, you can type the subfolder name at the end of the path — for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents\MyArduinoProjects\WeatherStation.

Understanding Project Name Versus Project Location

The import dialog has two separate fields: Project Name and Project Path. The project name is what appears in PlatformIO's sidebar and in your IDE tabs. The project path is where the actual files live on your disk. Changing the name does not change the location, and vice versa.

If your Project Path is C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Arduino\Blink and your Project Name is LED_Blink_v2, PlatformIO creates a folder called Blink on disk but displays LED_Blink_v2 in the IDE. This separation lets you keep your folder names organized on disk while using more descriptive names in the IDE.

Importing to an Existing Folder Versus Creating a New One

You can import to an existing empty folder or let PlatformIO create a new folder for you. If you navigate to an existing folder and click Select, PlatformIO will place the project files directly in that folder. If you type a path that does not yet exist, PlatformIO creates the folder structure when you complete the import.

PlatformIO will not import into a folder that already contains files, even if those files are unrelated to your project. If you see an error message saying the destination folder is not empty, either choose a different folder or delete the existing files first.

Organizing Multiple Arduino Projects in One Location

If you plan to import several Arduino projects, create a parent folder to hold them all, then import each project into its own subfolder within that parent. For example, create a folder called Arduino_Projects, then import your first project to Arduino_Projects\WeatherStation, your second to Arduino_Projects\MotionSensor, and so on. This keeps your disk organized and makes it easy to find projects later.

You can also use PlatformIO's workspace feature to open multiple projects at once. Once you have imported several projects to separate folders, you can add them all to a single workspace, and PlatformIO will display them together in the sidebar even though they live in different locations on disk.

Changing the Import Location After Import Is Complete

Once you have imported a project, moving it to a different folder requires closing the project in PlatformIO, moving the entire project folder on disk, then opening it again from the new location. PlatformIO does not have a built-in "Move Project" command. The safest approach is to use your operating system's file manager to move the folder, then use File > Open Folder in PlatformIO to point to the new location.

If you move a project folder and PlatformIO cannot find it, the IDE will show an error when you try to open it. In that case, remove the project from PlatformIO's recent projects list and use File > Open Folder to navigate to the new location manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import to a folder on a network drive or cloud storage?

Yes, you can import to any folder you have write permissions for, including network drives and cloud-synced folders like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. However, real-time syncing can occasionally cause PlatformIO to lose track of files if the sync happens while the IDE is writing. For reliability, keep your project on a local drive and back it up separately.

What happens to my original Arduino sketch files when I import?

Your original Arduino files remain untouched. PlatformIO reads them, converts them to its own project structure, and creates a new set of files in the import destination folder. You can delete the original Arduino folder if you no longer need it, but PlatformIO does not do this automatically.

Can I import two Arduino projects to the same folder?

No. PlatformIO requires each project to have its own folder. If you try to import a second project to a folder that already contains a PlatformIO project, the import will fail. Create a separate subfolder for each project instead.

How do I find where PlatformIO imported my project if I forgot the path?

Right-click the project name in PlatformIO's sidebar and select Open in Terminal or Reveal in File Manager. This opens the project folder directly. You can also hover over the project name in the sidebar to see the full path in a tooltip.

Can I change the import location by editing a configuration file?

No. The import location is set only through the Import Arduino Project dialog. PlatformIO stores project settings in a platformio.ini file inside the project folder, but this file does not control where the project lives on disk — it only configures how PlatformIO builds and uploads your code.