PyCharm 2016.2 Help

Configuring Available Python Interpreters

In this section:

Overview

The list of Python SDKs, available for the various projects, can include interpreters installed locally or remotely , and the various virtual environments .

Viewing the list of available interpreters

To view the list of available interpreters, do one of the following

Configuring the list of available interpreters

To configure the list of available interpreters, follow these general steps

  1. Open the Settings dialog box, and open the Project Interpreter page.
  2. In the list of interpreter types, choose the desired option:

    Choose More to open the Project Interpreters dialog box, where it is possible to configure the list of the Python interpreters, available on your computer.

    py_interpreter_types_more

Project Interpreters dialog box

The Project Interpreters dialog features the toolbar with the following buttons:

IconTooltip and shortcutDescription
addAdd
Alt+Insert
Click this button to choose the type of interpreter to be added: local, remote interpreter, or virtual environment.
deleteRemove
Alt+Delete
Click this button to remove the selected interpreter from the list of available interpreters.
edit1Edit
Enter
Click this button to change the name and path of the selected interpreter.
filter.pngShow virtual environments associated with the other projectsIf this button is not pressed, PyCharm shows the virtual environments associated with the current project only.
icon_show_pathsShow paths for the selected interpreterClick this button to show the list of paths for the selected interpreter.

Auto-detecting interpreters

It is not necessary to configure all the interpreters or virtual environments. PyCharm can automatically detect them in certain locations. These automatically detected interpreters are denoted in the list by semi-transparent icons:

  • interpreter: python_interpreter_semitransparent
  • virtual environment: python_venv_semitransparent

The ability to automatically detect interpreters depends on the platform. PyCharm looks for the interpreters and virtual environments in the following locations:

  • Windows:
    • C:\PythonXX
    • C:\Program Files\PythonXX
    • PATH
    • WORKON_HOME
    • .virtualenv
  • *NIX:
    • /usr/local/bin/pythonX
    • /usr/bin/pythonX
    • PATH
  • OS X:
    • /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Version
    • /System/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Version
    • PATH

Removing interpreters from the list

To remove an interpreter from the list of available interpreters

  1. In the list of available interpreters, select the one to be deleted.
  2. Click delete.

See Also

Last modified: 23 November 2016