Create multiple files with Powershell?

powershell cmd

12,175

Solution 1

For Powershell:

1..5 | foreach { new-item -path c:\temp\$_.txt }

The foreach loop will run for each number in 1 to 5, and generate a file in the desired path with the name of that number passed to the command (represented by the $_)

You could also write it as:

%{1..5} | new-item c:\temp\$_.txt

For cmd:

for /L %v in (1,1,5) do type nul > %v.txt

More information here: cmd/batch looping

Solution 2

Not quite as concise as bash, but it can be done.

@(97..(97+25)) + @(48..(48+9)) |
    ForEach-Object { New-Item -Path "$([char]$_).txt" -WhatIf }

Another way...

@([int][char]'a'..[int][char]'z') + @([int][char]'0'..[int][char]'9') |
    ForEach-Object { New-Item -Path "$([char]$_).txt" -WhatIf }

And one more...

function rng { @($([int][char]$args[0])..$([int][char]$args[1])) }

(rng 'a' 'z') + (rng '0' '9') |
    ForEach-Object { New-Item -Path "$([char]$_).txt" -WhatIf }

If you are desperate to do this in a cmd.exe shell, this might work. When it looks like the correct commands are produced, delete or comment out the echo line and remove the rem from the next line.

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
SET "CLIST=abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789"
FOR /L %%i IN (0,1,35) DO (
    CALL SET "S=%%CLIST:~%%i,1%%.txt"
    echo TYPE NUL ^>"!S!"
    rem TYPE NUL >"!S!"
)

Solution 3

@Emilson Inoa Your solution is very ingenuous; there's a typo in the names, am sure you meant to exclude the extensions in the array. You'll end up with

("Text1", "Text2", "Text3") | % {ni -Path "/path/to/dir" -Name "$_.txt"}

Solution 4

For letters, in PowerShell, use:

97..( 97+25 ) | foreach { new-item $env:temp\$( [char]$_ ).txt }

Solution 5

Very simple, take a look:

("Text1.txt","Text2.txt", "Text3.txt") | foreach { New-Item -Path "X" -Name "$_.txt" }

You will replace X of course with the path where you want the files to be created.

If further explanation is required, let me know.

View more solutions

12,175

JDoeDoe

Updated on June 04, 2022

Comments

JDoeDoe almost 2 years
From this answer I can create multiple files a.txt, b.txt, ... , z.txt. in Bash with:
```
touch {a..z}.txt
```
Or 152 with:
```
touch {{a..z},{A..Z},{0..99}}.txt
```
How can I do this in Powershell? I know New-Item a.txt, but If I want multiple files as above?

For curiosity, what are the equivalent commands in Command Prompt (cmd.exe)?
- I.T Delinquent almost 5 years
  
  Downvoted because it shows no tried examples or research effort. Please include what you have already tried and the specific errors/issues you are having.
- Admin almost 5 years
  
  ATM there are only numeric ranges with the range operator .. IIRC that is a feature to come with future PS versions. In windows the command wouldn't work because it doesn't distinguish between the casings. richardspowershellblog.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/…
Admin almost 5 years

Nice one (+1), but only 0..9 and the -WhatIf is a bit like cheating ;-)
lit almost 5 years

Thank you @LotPings. The -WhatIf is only there to see what would happen. If you actually wanted the files created, remove -WhatIf.
Admin almost 5 years

Yes, but as windows won't allow the same file name with different casing...
lit almost 5 years

Yes, you are right, @LotPings. I will remove the upper case letters.