Batch file to search and replace text in text file

[Paluccie]

Hi All,

I'm hoping that someone could help me out. I can only use a batch file for this at the moment.

I need to search for a line of text in a text file and remove it or REM it out. Looking to do this with a batch file.

So say I have a line called ABC123 in text file called test1. I either need to delete that line or REM it out. That line can be in various spots within the same file, depending on when a software was installed.

Any idea on how to do this?
Thanks in advance.

[de_day]

Any reason why you are limited to a batch file?

and I'll add, since you can run any number of different commands in that batch file, what type of system are you running, a server or desktop, what OS?

[Taxmancometh]

Docpad has a search and replace. DocPad Freeware download and reviews from SnapFiles

[uethello]

Open Windows Notepad

Load test1.txt

Click "Edit"

Click "Replace"

type ABC123 in the "Find what" field

type what you want to replace it with in the "Replace with" field

Make sure your cursor is at the TOP of the text file, Notepad is a simple animal.

Click "Replace All" or to be really sure click "Find Next" one at a time until you're sure it's doing what you want it to do.

[Taxmancometh]

I didn't know notepad did that.

[de_day]

I was under the impression that the OP wanted to do this without opening the file in an editor. Maybe not.

[Paluccie]

Hi all,

I'm using the batch file to backup and restore data for users. Using a VBS script apparently on our network requires special access for some users. The batch file does not prompt a user for any credentials.

Looking to automate this. Its being used on desktops/laptops running Windows XP SP3.

Thank you

[de_day]

So during a back up scenario, what would you need to find and replace and would it be for every file you backed up or only certain ones?

[nemowolf]

if your using this in a windows environment, why are you not using powershell !?!?!

VBS is so 2007. You can run a powershell script to do that accross a domain dynamically and have it spit out a report of what machines and files were effected. Efficiency is using the right tool for a job my friend!

download powergui, find the script signing add-in, have your administrator issue you a cert for signed scripts and viola. you have a script any admin can run that has been signed to run on your domain by your domain.

PS: Batch files really!? Your batch file will run with your permissions or what ever permissions of the account logged in. Your going to have to write a VERY complicated script to run accross the network or worse run it on each individual machine. Leave batch files to login scripts my friend.

[Tegan]

notepad++ will do it for a all files in a folder/subfolders if you need a more advanced search and replace than normal notepad, it is free too