Batch file : SET variable=string doesn't work

Question

I've this code :

if %Ret:~6,4% EQU %Year% (
SET test=text
ECHO %test%
) else (
ECHO NO
)

The code enters in the if loop but it returns always Echo is off! I've pay attention to the space before and after the =. Any ideas?

jeb · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-15 09:14:52Z

7

Number #342 of this type of question this year.

Percent expansion occours when a block is parsed, before any line is executed.
So the echo %test% is expanded before the variable is set.

Therefor exists the delayed expansion, which expands when a line is executed.

setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
if "%Ret:~6,4%" EQU "%Year%" (
  SET test=text
  ECHO !test!
) else (
  ECHO NO
)

answered Nov 15, 2013 at 9:14

jeb

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2 Comments

It's not the problem here. I tried your solution but it put test instead of text

Yes, Alice, it is the problem and the solution. Maybe you didn't include the setlocal command as shown in jeb's answer.