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When I try to use \i on a file that is not in the psql.exe folder it says C:: permission denied. For example I have a file with SQL command at C:\Users\Work\Desktop\School Work\load_database.sql and when I type \i "C:\Users\Work\Desktop\School Work\load_database.sql" it says C:: permission denied. How can I fix this?

I found a work around here where you copy the .sql file to the same folder as psql.exe is in.

By the way, does \i stand for import?

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Can you cd to that directory from the command prompt? If yes, then I'd expect you could run your file with \i, unless the file itself is protected from you. Copying scripts to the PostgreSQL bin folder is not a really good idea. – dezso Dec 4 '12 at 11:54
@dezso that worked! Is that the "proper" way of doing it? – Celeritas Dec 4 '12 at 12:17

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You've just run into a peculiarity of psql on Windows.

In my comment I just wanted to exclude the possibility that you really didn't have the necessary permission. Then it turned out that even on Windows, you have to use 'normal' slashes instead of backslashes, that is:

\i 'C:/Users/Work/Desktop/School Work/load_database.sql'

should work fine regardless which folder you start psql from. Notice that I used single quotes - with double quotes you'd got

"C:/Users/Work/Desktop/School Work/load_database.sql": Invalid argument
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Got it thanks. How did you know to use single and not double quotes? Is that a general rule for postgres or what's the difference? – Celeritas Dec 5 '12 at 0:37
@Celeritas I think it is the result of a conflict of how Windows uses double quotes in paths and how psql (and PostgreSQL) use it in identifiers. – dezso Dec 5 '12 at 5:59

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