# pybedtools.bedtool.BedTool.bgzip

`BedTool.``bgzip`(in_place=True, force=False, is_sorted=False)

  Helper function for more control over “tabixed” BedTools.

  Checks to see if we already have a BGZIP file; if not then prepare one. Always leaves the original file alone. You can always just make a BedTool out of an already sorted and BGZIPed file to avoid this step.

  `in_place` will put the BGZIPed file in the same dir (possibly after sorting to tempfile).

  If `is_sorted`, then assume the file is already sorted. Otherwise call bedtools sort with the `-header` option.

  `force` will overwrite without asking.