How can I alias a PowerShell function?

Question

The aim is to call the function hello by calling hello or alias helloworld.

Code:

function hello() {
    param(
        [string] $name
    )

    Write-Host "Hello $name!"
}

hello "Utrecht"
helloworld "Utreg"

Expected outcome:

Hello Utrecht!
Hello Utreg!

While Set-Alias works, sometimes you don't want it to be global. — Slogmeister Extraordinaire
– Slogmeister Extraordinaire, Commented Mar 11, 2020 at 16:07
That's what the -Scope parameter is for. Set-Alias -Name 'HelloWorld' -Value 'Hello' -Scope Script — CitizenRon
– CitizenRon, Commented Feb 10, 2023 at 18:29

Peter Mortensen · Accepted Answer · 2025-06-08 15:44:20Z

39

You can also add alias after the function, but before param, as below:

function hello() {
    [alias("HelloWorld")]
    param(
        [string] $name
    )

    Write-Host "Hello $name!"
}

Output:

Helloworld
Hello

It will also create an alias name.

When an alias is created this way, it is not globally exported. So if you are using this alias from another script file, please use Set-Alias.

edited Jun 8 at 15:44

Peter Mortensen

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answered Mar 22, 2018 at 12:54

Samselvaprabu

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1 Comment

Joe Johnston Over a year ago

This is what I was looking for thanks. I knew about Set-Alias already but this keeps it tidy.

Lennart · Accepted Answer · 2024-06-18 12:50:42Z

11

Use the set-alias cmdlet.

set-alias -name helloworld -value hello

It should be noted though that your function name does not follow the PowerShell convention and may be confusing to someone more accustomed to using PowerShell.

edited Jun 18, 2024 at 12:50

Lennart

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answered Jul 10, 2014 at 18:16

alroc

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Comments

Peter Mortensen · Accepted Answer · 2025-06-08 15:21:36Z

2

Use an alias:

set-alias helloworld hello

edited Jun 8 at 15:21

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jul 10, 2014 at 18:16

Bill_Stewart

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