Skip to main content

This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2022-10-12. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Editing files

You can edit files directly on GitHub Enterprise Server in any of your repositories using the file editor.

Editing files in your repository

Tip: If a repository has any protected branches, you can't edit or upload files in the protected branch using GitHub. For more information, see "About protected branches."

You can use GitHub Desktop to move your changes to a new branch and commit them. For more information, see "Committing and reviewing changes to your project."

Note: GitHub Enterprise Server's file editor uses CodeMirror.

  1. In your repository, browse to the file you want to edit.

  2. In the upper right corner of the file view, click to open the file editor.

    Edit file button

  3. On the Edit file tab, make any changes you need to the file. New content in file

  4. Above the new content, click Preview changes. File preview button

  5. At the bottom of the page, type a short, meaningful commit message that describes the change you made to the file. You can attribute the commit to more than one author in the commit message. For more information, see "Creating a commit with multiple co-authors." Commit message for your change

  6. Below the commit message fields, decide whether to add your commit to the current branch or to a new branch. If your current branch is the default branch, you should choose to create a new branch for your commit and then create a pull request. For more information, see "Creating a new pull request." Commit branch options

  7. Click Propose file change. Propose file change button

Editing files in another user's repository

When you edit a file in another user's repository, we'll automatically fork the repository and open a pull request for you.

  1. In another user's repository, browse to the folder that contains the file you want to edit. Click the name of the file you want to edit.

  2. Above the file content, click . At this point, GitHub forks the repository for you.

  3. Make any changes you need to the file. New content in file

  4. Above the new content, click Preview changes. File preview button

  5. At the bottom of the page, type a short, meaningful commit message that describes the change you made to the file. You can attribute the commit to more than one author in the commit message. For more information, see "Creating a commit with multiple co-authors." Commit message for your change

  6. Click Propose file change. Commit Changes button

  7. Type a title and description for your pull request. Pull Request description page

  8. Click Create pull request. Pull Request button