Powershell - How to split a string based on characters?

Question

I have a list of pdf filenames that need to be parsed and ultimately sent to a sql table, with the parse out pieces each in their own column. How would I split based on a dash '-' and ultimately get it into a table.

What cmdlets would you start with to split on a character? I need to split based on the dash '-'.

Thanks for the help.

Example File Names:

tester-2458-full_contact_snapshot-20200115_1188.pdf
tester-2458-limited_contact_snapshot-20200119_9330.pdf

Desired Results:

-split learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/…

Nasir
– Nasir

2020-06-02 14:32:47 +00:00
Commented Jun 2, 2020 at 14:32 — Nasir
– Nasir, Commented Jun 2, 2020 at 14:32

Nasir · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-02 14:55:13Z

1

There is also a -split operator.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_split

basic example:

if you have file names in $FilePaths array.

foreach($filepath in $FilePaths)
{
  $parts = $filepath -split '-'; 
  [pscustomobject]@{"User" = $parts[0]; "AppID" = $parts[1]; "FileType" = $parts[2]; "FilePath"=$filepath }
}

edited Jun 2, 2020 at 14:55

answered Jun 2, 2020 at 14:33

Nasir

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2 Comments

JM1 Over a year ago

Thanks @Nasir, this is helpful and does split it as desired. How would I get the -split results into a column format. I piped it to format-table, but it doesn't change the result.

Nasir Over a year ago

A basic version: $parts = $filepath -split '-'; [pscustomobject]@{"User" = $parts[0]; "AppID" = $parts[1]; "FileType" = $parts[2]; "FilePath"=$filepath}

Filburt · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-02 14:33:32Z

1

Use $variable.split('-') which will return a string array with a length equal to however many elements are produced by the split operation.

edited Jun 2, 2020 at 14:33

Filburt

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answered Jun 2, 2020 at 14:32

LordPupazz

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1 Comment

JM1 Over a year ago

Nasir and LordPupazz answers successfully split the filename

Lee_Dailey · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-02 16:34:38Z

1

yet another way is to use regex & named capture groups. [grin]

what it does ...

creates a set of file name strings to work with
when ready to use real data, remove the entire #region/#endregion block and use either (Get-ChildItem).Name or another method that gives you plain strings.
iterates thru the collection of file name strings
uses $Null = to suppress the False/True output of the -match call
does a regex match with named capture groups
uses the $Match automatic variable to plug the captured values into the desired properties of a [PSCustomObject]
sends that PSCO out to the $Results collection
displays that on screen
sends it to a CSV for later use

the code ...

#region >>> fake reading in a list of file names
#    in real life, use (Get-ChildItem).Name
$InStuff = @'
tester-2458-full_contact_snapshot-20200115_1188.pdf
tester-2458-limited_contact_snapshot-20200119_9330.pdf
'@ -split [System.Environment]::NewLine
#endregion >>> fake reading in a list of file names

$Results = foreach ($IS_Item in $InStuff)
    {
    $Null = $IS_Item -match '^(?<User>.+)-(?<AppId>.+)-(?<FileType>.+)-(?<Date>.+)\.pdf$'
    [PSCustomObject]@{
        User = $Matches.User
        AppId = $Matches.AppId
        FileType = $Matches.FileType
        Date = $Matches.Date
        FileName = $IS_Item
        }
    }

# display on screen    
$Results

# send to CSV file
$Results |
    Export-Csv -LiteralPath "$env:TEMP\JM1_-_FileReport.csv" -NoTypeInformation

output to screen ...

User     : tester
AppId    : 2458
FileType : full_contact_snapshot
Date     : 20200115_1188
FileName : tester-2458-full_contact_snapshot-20200115_1188.pdf

User     : tester
AppId    : 2458
FileType : limited_contact_snapshot
Date     : 20200119_9330
FileName : tester-2458-limited_contact_snapshot-20200119_9330.pdf

content of the C:\Temp\JM1_-_FileReport.csv file ...

"User","AppId","FileType","Date","FileName"
"tester","2458","full_contact_snapshot","20200115_1188","tester-2458-full_contact_snapshot-20200115_1188.pdf"
"tester","2458","limited_contact_snapshot","20200119_9330","tester-2458-limited_contact_snapshot-20200119_9330.pdf"

edited Jun 2, 2020 at 16:34

answered Jun 2, 2020 at 15:47

Lee_Dailey

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6 Comments

JM1 Over a year ago

For anyone trying to understand regex, there are some helpful tools I learned about from this article: powershellexplained.com/… in the section 'Regex Resources'. The one that's helped me the most so far is regex101.com.

Lee_Dailey Over a year ago

@JM1 - i use regex101.com rather often ... it is a truly lovely resource! [grin]

JM1 Over a year ago

Thanks @Lee_Dailey for your response. I'm trying to understand it before I ask you anything further. I'm still not getting what the question mark and <User> are doing in this bit: (?<User>.+) .

JM1 Over a year ago

When adding the real code, I added a Format-Table to the results to ultimately get to my goal. The other answers did split the path, but this most fully answered the need to ultimately put the results into a table in the overall request. Thanks @Lee_Dailey and all who responded.

Lee_Dailey Over a year ago

@JM1 - the (?<NameOfThing>.=) is how you do a named capture group. the ?<> part is specially for that purpose. ///// please be VERY careful of the Format-* cmdlets. they destroy your objects, wrap the butchered bits in formatting code, and then send that out. they are for FINAL output to screen or a plain text file. if you need to use the data later, then stick with `Select-Object.///// you are very welcome! i'm glad to have helped a bit! [grin]

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