---
title: "Deprecation: #69754 - Deprecate relative path to extension directory and using filename only in TCA ctrl iconfile"
manual: "TYPO3 Core Changelog"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/changelog:deprecation-69754"
source: "Changelog/7.5/Deprecation-69754-TcaCtrlIconfileUsingRelativePathToExtAndFilenameOnly.rst"
modified: "2026-09-15T10:46:36+00:00"
---

# Deprecation: #69754 - Deprecate relative path to extension directory and using filename only in TCA ctrl iconfile

See [forge#69754](https://forge.typo3.org/issues/69754)

## Description

-   Using relative paths to refer to the extension directory for iconfiles in `TCA['ctrl']['iconfile']` has been marked as deprecated.
-   Using filenames only to refer to an iconfile in TCA\['ctrl'\] has been marked as deprecated.

## Impact

-   TCA definitions in `TCA['ctrl']['iconfile']` containing `'../typo3conf/ext/'` or calls to `TYPO3CMSCoreUtilityExtensionManagementUtility::extRelPath()` will trigger a deprecation log entry.
-   TCA definitions in `TCA['ctrl']['iconfile']` containing a filename only will trigger a deprecation log entry.

## Affected Installations

Any installation with extensions defining `TCA['ctrl']['iconfile']` by using `../typo3conf/ext/` or only a filename.

## Migration

### Relative paths

Use `EXT:` instead of relative path `'../typo3conf/ext/'` or `TYPO3CMSCoreUtilityExtensionManagementUtility::extRelPath()`, e.g.

```php
'ctrl' => array(
	'iconfile' => \TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility::extRelPath('my_extension') . 'Resources/Public/Icons/image.png'
),
```

has to be migrated to

```php
'ctrl' => array(
	'iconfile' => 'EXT:my_extension/Resources/Public/Icons/image.png'
),
```

### Filename only

Use a full absolute path or an `EXT:` definition instead of a filename only:

```php
'ctrl' => array(
	'iconfile' => '_icon_ftp.gif'
),
```

has to be migrated to

```php
'ctrl' => array(
	'iconfile' => 'EXT:t3skin/icons/gfx/i/_icon_ftp.gif'
),
```

or

```php
'ctrl' => array(
	// You can use absolute paths (to your web root folder) to the icons but
	// it is discouraged to do so as these icons belong to an extension they
	// should also be stored in this extension
	'iconfile' => '/fileadmin/icons/_icon_ftp.gif'
),
```