How can I take output of command and populate array?

Question

I have non-working code similar to the following:

$list = Get-VM | format-table VMElementName -HideTableHeaders | out-string
$array=@($list)

Write-Host $array[1]

What I end up is $array[0] filled with a list of data and no values in $array[1] or higher.

String1
String2
String3

What is the best way to parse this list to populate the array?

Rather than format-table, you should use select-object. That way you are still working with objects rather than strings. If you don't want the header, you can use the -ExpandProperty parameter. — Benjamin Hubbard
– Benjamin Hubbard, Commented Dec 11, 2013 at 19:33
To expand on @Entbark's comment, don't ever use Format-Table (or any other Format- cmdlet) unless you never want to use that data as data again. As soon as you format it, it's no longer usable. Also, you shouldn't use Write-Host in 90% of situations. — alroc
– alroc, Commented Dec 11, 2013 at 20:03

mjolinor · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-11 19:35:17Z

2

The easiest way to get that is just select out the property you want with Select -ExpandProperty:

$array = Get-VM | select -ExpandProperty VMElementName

If you're running V3 or better, you can shorten that to:

$array = (Get-VM).VMElementName

answered Dec 11, 2013 at 19:35

mjolinor

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1 Comment

You're welcome! If that answers your question, please mark it as answered, so it doesn't remain forever as an "Unanswered Question".

sha · Accepted Answer · 2023-08-23 17:16:23Z

1

You don't need extra transformation logic. Just do the following

$array = ( Get-VM | format-table VMElementName -HideTableHeaders )

Write-Host $array[0]

answered Dec 11, 2013 at 19:30

sha

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