# Open a board file

> Open a .board or .wire file saved on your computer, from the desktop app's File mode section or by double-clicking it.

Source: https://mockflow.com/docs/open-a-board-file

Board files live in folders on your computer, so you open them the way you open other documents: from inside the MockFlow desktop app, or from Finder or File Explorer.

![Double-clicking Ecosystems unit.board in a Lesson plans folder opens it in the MockFlow desktop app](https://assets.mockflow.com/docs/media/3a88922bf42f4a55a9a605d4b760b552.webp)

## Open a file from the desktop app

![The File mode section of the workspace sidebar with the Open file button marked](https://assets.mockflow.com/docs/media/8533f4b9978940668d1719e3e4964304.webp)

1. In the workspace sidebar, find the **File mode** section.
2. Click the **Open file** button (1), the folder icon.
3. Select a `.board` or `.wire` file and click **Open**.

The file opens in a window of its own, with its name at the top of the window.

## Open a file from Finder or File Explorer

The desktop app is set up to open MockFlow files. Double-click a `.board` or `.wire` file in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) and it opens in MockFlow, starting the app if it isn't running.

## Work with several files

Each file opens in its own window, so you can keep several boards open side by side. Use the **Windows** menu in the app menu bar to switch between open windows.

## Open a file on another computer

A board file holds its pages, images, fonts and revisions, so you can copy it to another computer and open it there. That computer needs the MockFlow desktop app, signed in on a plan that includes file mode.

If the file is [password protected](/docs/password-protect-a-board-file), MockFlow asks for the password each time it opens.