Batch loop set variable Setting a variable from FOR loop. set variable_name = value. Why is the current time not updated in a FOR loop? 3. Batch file: @ECHO OFF for /f "token Jun 3, 2020 · Refer edit after setting its variable flag, because %%~b == %%~j, there is no need to continue comparing with the remaining lines of the file in this 2nd loop, then just use a goto :label to exit the loop immediately and continue the main loop. FOR /F - Loop through the output of a command. There are multiple ways we can increment the variable or counter in batch programming. g. GOTCHA: The FOR command uses a special variable syntax of % followed by a single letter, like %I. Aug 29, 2018 · I need to loop through a file, affect the values to a variable, then loop into a second file and use these previous variables: for /F "delims=, tokens=1-3" %%a in (Test_1. This example demonstrates changing an existing variable named foo within a script named HelloWorld. Sep 20, 2012 · Batch for loop cannot set variables. The set command is our magic wand for creating variables in Batch Script. The loop is supposed to go through every file inside folder, set variable and display it via echo. For example, if you want to list all text files in a directory, you can use the FOR loop like this: Trying to use the Call SET to set a variable in a windows batch file loop. What is Batch File For Loop? A batch for loop file is a control structure that allows you to execute a specific command for each element in a data set. Use a variable in a 'for' loop. Learn how to process files, handle command line arguments, and create nested loops with practical examples and clear explanations. a. Any tips on how to adapt the following code so that it loops through the SET dir variable list? SET YYYY=%date:~10,4% ECHO Its %YYYY% SET dir=dir1, dir2, dir3, dir4,dirN ECHO %dir% :: Loop through each SET dir and perform the following. Use double percent signs (%%) to carry out the for command within a batch file. Initializes variable with value 1 Print the value and increment the variable using set /a Print the counter up to 20 times. Sep 19, 2016 · On this page I'll try to explain how a FOR loop is interpreted, why it seems unable to SET variables, and how to SET variables in FOR loops anyway. Why variables set in May 22, 2025 · Learn how to set variables in batch files using the `set` command. In my opinion, FOR is the single most powerful command in DOS, and one of the least used. Jan 10, 2016 · After a bit of searching I found a mention of using delayed expansion of variables (setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion), but that causes a problem, because the directory path the user inputs may contain exclamation marks, which get removed if I do that (and so the for loop is not executed at all). SETX. DOS doesn't offer very elegant mechanisms for this, but I think you can still code a loop for 100 or 200 iterations with reasonable effort. So for example, if the text file reads: The following command uses WMIC and a "Q&D" batch shortcut to store all properties of harddisk partition C: in an array-like set of environment variables, and uses FOR /F to loop through this array-like set of variables: This is run in batch mode. SET Variable in a for /f loop not working outside the loop. Mar 1, 2013 · Call the SETLOCAL command to make variables local to the scope of your script. Do not put spaces before or after the equals sign. Personally, I’d like the option to require a variable is declared before it’s used, as this catches silly bugs like typos in variable names. Jun 18, 2010 · Read file contents into a variable: for /f "delims=" %%x in (version. One of the most powerful features in batch scripting is the ability to use loops. Use a single percent sign (%) to carry out the for command at the command prompt. While there's not a numeric for loop, you can use a character string as a "loop variable. I've got an . Mar 11, 2025 · This comprehensive tutorial explores the FOR loop in batch scripts, showcasing its versatility for automating tasks in Windows. I'd like to use that value to process specific tokens - Oct 16, 2023 · This page introduces how to define variables in batch files and provides specific examples of using variables. . txt) do ( if "%%d"=="" ( echo %%a !var1! ! Mar 30, 2010 · One of the best semi solutions is to copy %1 into a variable and then use delayed expansion, as delayedExp. SETLOCAL ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION FOR /F %%i IN (numbers. [1]" and, just to show parens are brackets, "Use parentheses-brackets Aug 23, 2021 · Batch for loop not recognizing its own variable. Jul 18, 2013 · I'm trying to make a loop that goes through a file with filenames on each line, set the first filename as a variable and execute the rest if the script. How to Define Variables. Variable Expansion in FOR Loops Exercise 1. Variable in variable but it's beyond my understanding or it just won't work in my case. To use some value inside a function, which is some file, eXtention, folder, variable, etc. Let's see how it works! Example 3: Creating a Simple Variable @echo off set message=Hello, World! echo %message% When you run this script, it will display "Hello, World!" The set command creates a variable named message and assigns Feb 4, 2022 · In a DOS/Windows batch file, how can I set/use a variable from an array and a loop index, such that I can produce output like what's shown below? SETLOCAL ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION set x[0]=one set x[ I am trying to create a batch script for my Windows machine that loops through a list of (string/decimal) values and uses each value as a parameter inside the loop. The data set can be a list of values, a range of numbers, or the result of for 250 iterations, you either have a very long "cycles" string, or you have one loop inside using one set of variables counting to 10, then another loop outside that uses another set of variable counting to 25. Then take the second line and do the same. FORFILES - Batch process multiple files. After calling SETLOCAL, any variable assignments revert upon calling ENDLOCAL, calling EXIT, or when execution reaches the end of file (EOF) in your script. The modern way to loop through files or text uses the FOR command. Here is the syntax: set [options] variable=value set is a keyword. The code looks like this: @echo off cd D:\my_folder for %%a in (*) do ( set var=text echo %var% ) pause Nov 28, 2021 · A batch script is a set of instructions or a script for SOS and Windows Operating System. Dec 11, 2012 · To access a changed variable such as the time variable, you must use !! or set with !! (have enableddelayexpansion enabled). Sep 3, 2013 · The batch file sets each line in the text file to var1, var2, var3 with the following code: @echo off setlocal ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION set vidx=0 for /F "tokens=*" %%A in (sites. Therefore it is better to avoid the letters which have a special meaning for command for on referencing the loop variables. txt) do ( SET /A vidx=!vidx! + 1 set var!vidx!=%%A ) I need a method to echo all the defined variables. BAT containing the following code (use copy and paste): @SET VAR= @CD\ @CLS :Loop @ECHO. Jun 16, 2014 · For example set c=0 before for loop and then set c = c+1 inside for loop and use this number to create dynamic variable name inside for loop e. Variables are used to hold values and strings. This means that %Count% will always expand to 0 in each iteration of the loop, no matter what we do to it with the set command: Sauce: "With loop commands like FOR, compound or bracketed expressions, Delayed Expansion will allow you to always read the current value of the variable. There Dec 5, 2016 · The demo shows the first 20 parameters as set by the for/l loop. The number of variables will always change. Call batch file with variable number of arguments. Which will allow to avoid some restrictions of SET and SETX like the variables containing = in their names. To see if it’s working properly, I’m using ECHO on each iteration of the loop to see if it properly loaded the line of text into the variable. 2. Not working but here is the input / output file. Syntax %variable:~start_index% %variable:~start_index,length% This can include negative numbers: %variable:~start_index, -length% %variable:~-start_index,length% %variable:~-start_index,-length% Oct 5, 2017 · How to set for loop variable? Batch file. In this article, we’ll learn how to use loops in batch scripting and go through some common and useful examples. for loop working in CMD prompt but not in batch file. txt) do ( set Var1=%%b set Var2=%%c for /F "delims=, tokens=1-4" %%a in (Test_2. Master batch file set variable techniques for automating tasks and workflows. SET. To define variables, use the set command. I'm making my script and one part of it has for loop. When I enabled the CMD /V, the batch script won't run any further beyond that. use for loop; for loop is used to run with n number of iterations. The file in this example will include three records and three environment variables will be set. Why does the FILENAME var appear to have the same value each time through the loop? It does appear to be looping through files, however Hello. It is necessary to pass this item to him, he will not access the already defined variables if you don't to pass something that it is to be used within the function: Another way without for loop. Sep 28, 2013 · Start your batch file by turning on delayed expansion. This is how the script looks: @echo off title MyTitle set cycles=0 :startpoint echo %cycles% (my command) goto startpoint I would like to be able to see the variable "cycles" increment by 1 each time it goes back to :startpoint, how do i do that? Set Variables, For/Do Loop The following batch or command file (FORLUPW1. I found something about CMD /V:ON to enable the delayed execution in a batch script; but then how would you run it in a batch script. If you want to use count after the endlocal, you have to use a "trick" made possible by the very problem you're having: Jul 31, 2012 · The loop variable in the FOR command takes one percent sign if you are executing it directly from the command prompt, but two percent signs if you are executing it from a batch file. After the set command, specify the variable name and value. With delayed expansion enabled, reference a variable inside a loop using ! instead of %. I'll use lower case chars a-to-z for each loop variable. " Set Command. Discover how to declare, assign, and use variables in batch scripting, including local and global variables, variable expansion, and best practices for writing efficient batch files. Below is an example of a simple for loop I would like to use to display all the different version files (from my list) Aug 31, 2009 · FOR /D %variable IN (set) DO command [command-parameters] If set contains wildcards, then specifies to match against directory names instead of file names. The code in the for loop is point out the various ways to set a variable. Changes made with SET will remain only for the duration of the current CMD session. Delayed Expansion will cause variables to be expanded at execution time rather than at parse time, this option is turned on with the SETLOCAL command. I and J are used as loop variables instead of s and f because of the latter two letters could be misinterpreted as loop variable modifiers in some cases. txt) do set Build=%%x or. Once you understand how the FOR loop is interpreted, you'll know how to circumvent its limitations. The left side of = is treated as a variable, and the right side of = is a value. I know there's probably a while loop for this, but I didn't know how to do that, and I'm just enjoying learning Batch for fun right now How to Declare and Use Variables in Batch Programming using the Set Command. I’m going to assume you’re writing a batch file, so if you want to practice from the command line, remember to collapse the double percent signs to singles. Variable Assignment. 3rd party edit. FOR /D - Loop through several folders. set /p Build=<version. Display, set, or remove CMD environment variables. set counter= 1:begin echo %counter% set /a counter=counter+ 1 if %counter% EQU 20 goto end goto begin :end Mar 1, 2013 · Most people like this, as it reduces the amount of code to write. I have a routine to count the delimiters in the input string. When looping in for loop each iteration is accessed as the %%A variable. Syntax SET variable SET variable=string SET "variable=string" SET "variable=" SET /A "variable=expression" SET /P variable=[promptString] SET " Key variable A new or existing environment variable name e. Iterate through folder passed as argument. Mar 11, 2025 · Here, %%variable is a placeholder for the loop variable, set represents the items you want to iterate over, and command is the operation you wish to perform on each item. 0. CMD trying to set variable in a loop. ini file that looks like this: Im currently looking for a method to set variables in a windows batch file from linkes in txt document. We can declare variables in batch programming using the SET keyword. Represents a replaceable parameter. Aug 19, 2022 · I'm trying to loop through music files under one directory. FOR /L - Loop through a range of numbers. What you need to do is put a SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion at the top of your script and use ! s around your variables. trying to assign Var C to equal 1. 5 days ago · Batch files are simple scripts that help automate tasks in Windows. Feb 12, 2024 · I’m trying to write a simple FOR loop that loops through a document line by line. For example (I may be wrong): @echo off for /L %%a in (1,1,2) do ( goto loop ) :loop echo this won't loop for 2 times. The 2nd argument of the variable substitution is the length. : set entry%c% = 'somestring' and afterwards use these numbered variables to print output outside for loop e. Create a batch file named VAREXP. SET foo=bar Mar 1, 2013 · :args SET arg=%~1 ECHO %arg% SHIFT GOTO :args New School with FOR. The SET command assigns a value to a variable. 1. How-to: Extract part of a variable (substring) It is possible to retrieve specific characters from a string variable. windows batch script - setting variable inside for loop. 5. Here is the basic loop to 30: When Delayed Expansion is in effect, variables can be immediately read using !variable_name! You can set two variables to the same thing in one line: Set "var3=April" & set "var4=!var3!" you can still read and use %variable_name% and that will continue to show the initial value (expanded at the beginning of the line). set "param1=%~1" setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion if "!param1!"=="" ( echo it is empty ) rem or use the DEFINED keyword now if defined param1 echo There is something Jul 4, 2019 · I read through and tried solutions from this thread: Batch file. for with /L option used to iterate with start=1, stop=1, and end=10 values in the expression The number starts with 1 and is incremented by 1 until the counter is reached 20 May 22, 2025 · Learn how to set variables in batch files using the `set` command. txt Both will act the same with only a single line in the file, for more lines the for variant will put the last line into the variable, while set /p will use the first. : echo %entry1% echo %entry2% Example: Nov 20, 2020 · Example 1: The following code DOESN'T use delayed expansion, so the variables in the for loop are expanded only one time. Options for the set Command Sep 1, 2018 · In the for /l loop, no need for c variable so removed. SETLOCAL - Control the visibility of environment variables inside a loop. Jun 15, 2011 · FOR /F "tokens=* USEBACKQ" %%F IN (`command`) DO ( SET var=%%F ) ECHO %var% I always use the USEBACKQ so that if you have a string to insert or a long file name, you can use your double quotes without screwing up the command. Feb 18, 2008 · Once I get into a 'if' block or 'for' loop in a batch script, it doesn't recognize the SET variable. Oct 5, 2023 · Parameter Description {%% \| %}<variable> Required. b requires delayed expansion then string variable needs expanding so use of call set on string using doubled percentages achieves this. Jul 6, 2018 · Batch - Set variables in for loop. Setting an environment variable to a I have a batch script which loops and I want to count how many cycles it has done. where x is the array variable and a is the iterator in the loop, ECHO Start of Loop FOR /L %i IN (1,1,5) DO ( ECHO %i ) The 1,1,5 is decoded as: (start,step,end) Also note, if you are embedding this in a batch file, you will need to use the double percent sign (%%) to prefix your variables, otherwise the command interpreter will try to evaluate the variable %i prior to running the loop. May 24, 2011 · I'm building this batch file using Windows 7 and I'd like to make the FOR loop process a variable number of tokens. is always safe against any content. cmd. txt) DO ( set /a "T=%%i+10" @echo !T! Mar 16, 2013 · I'm trying to make a Batch file that will increment a variable by 1 each time it loops, and then check if the variable is equal to 5, and if it isn't, it loops again. exe Set environment variables permanently, SETX can be used to set Environment Variables for the machine (HKLM) or currently logged on user (HKCU): Option /m /m Set the variable in the system environment HKLM. With loops, you can repeat a task multiple times, saving time and effort. FOR /R [[drive:]path] %variable IN (set) DO command [command-parameters] For a reason that i'm ignoring, the FOR command won't work for looping a specific label. _num string A text string to assign to the variable. Oct 19, 2023 · After reading this article, you will be able to create more efficient and flexible batch files by using for loops. cmd) is an example that shows how to read a file and set an environment variable based on the content within the individual records. Nov 16, 2019 · 在Windows Batch檔(bat file)中使用set設定變數(variable)範例。 Batch使用 set 關鍵字來設定變數的值，可接 /a 及 /p 參數。 /a 參數用來表示後面的表示式結果為數值。 Sep 15, 2012 · unable to use for loop output to set variable in batch. Equivalent PowerShell: ForEach-Object - Loop for each object in Also keep in mind that setlocal/endlocal actually limit scope of things changed inside so that they don't leak out. IF - Conditionally perform a command. Use of call set to do a 2nd parse of the line to set this variable. zlarfr kpsjv rhamy tgp pwzjco ppjxi ugowv qsts zogp rol
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