How to move a file based on a keyword in it through a batch script?

Question

I need to move some XML files from one directory to another based on whether a particular string is present in it or not(i.e. if the string is present then move, else keep it). Is it possible to do so using a batch script?

is the string to be checked in the file or just the file name ? Can you use powershell, it will be a lot easier. — rob
– rob, Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 12:26

Mark Setchell · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-31 12:31:55Z

1

Use FINDSTR like this to move file fred if it contains the word "hello":

findstr hello fred
if %ERRORLEVEL% == 0 (
   echo Move that puppy
)

If you want to search insensitive to case (lowercase vs uppercase) use FINDSTR /I

Powershell is not available on all Windows versions, by the way, whereas this is.

answered Mar 31, 2014 at 12:31

Mark Setchell

210k32 gold badges310 silver badges504 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

user3481013 Over a year ago

Thanks for the answer. I am using windows server 2003. Powershell is most probably unavailable here.

Mark Setchell Over a year ago

Ok, so hopefully this is the correct way to go for you (as this is not Powershell).

foxidrive · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-31 14:23:40Z

0

This should copy the files with string in the filename.

@echo off
for /f "delims=" %%a in ('dir *.xml /b /a-d ^|find /i "string" ') do copy "%%a" "d:\new\folder"

answered Mar 31, 2014 at 14:23

foxidrive

41.4k11 gold badges61 silver badges71 bronze badges

2 Comments

Andriy M Over a year ago

Well, if the keyword is meant to be in the name then perhaps it would be better to do just COPY *string*.xml "targetpath".

foxidrive Over a year ago

@AndriyM Yes, that will work just as well. It was meant to be move I noticed later.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to move a file based on a keyword in it through a batch script?

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related