> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using the Index Manager in cPanel

> Discover how to use cPanel's Index Manager to control and modify directory index settings.

This article describes how to use cPanel to define how your web site handles directory listings.

## Index options

cPanel enables you to specify how directories on your web site are displayed. By default, if an index file is not in a directory, the directory's contents are listed in the user's browser. This is usually not recommended and is a potential security issue.

You can set one of four options for any directory:

* **Inherit**: This option uses the parent directory's setting. If the index settings are not defined in the parent directory, the system will use its default settings.

* **No Indexing**: This option specifies that if an index file is not present, a directory listing (e.g. no files will appear for the directory) is not displayed.

* **Show Filename Only**: This option specifies that if the default file is missing, a simple list of the files present will display.

* **Show Filename and Description**: This option shows a list of files and their attributes: file size and file type.

<Note>
  If any type of index file (for example, *index.php*, *index.htm*, or *index.html* ) exists in a directory, the user sees the index file regardless of which indexing option is set for the directory.
</Note>

## Modifying a directory's index settings

To modify a directory's index settings, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).

2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Advanced** section, click **Indexes**:\
   ![cPanel - Advanced - Indexes icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-cpanel-jupiter-advanced-indexes-icon.png)

3. Click the directory name that you want to modify.

4. Click the indexing option that you want to set for the directory.

5. Click **Save**. The new setting takes effect immediately.

## Related articles

* [Error pages](/docs/custom-error-pages)

* [Apache handlers](/docs/apache-handlers)

* [MIME types](/docs/mime-types)