Powershell variable in file name

Question

Everyday a file is being saved with the current date in format testDDMMYYY.csv for an example test24112017.csv.

I need to open the current day's file with Powershell, however, I haven't found a way for it to work with variables.

#Date (24112017)
[String]$a=(Get-Date).ToShortDateString() | Foreach-Object {$_ -replace "\.", ""} 

#Open the file called test24112017
[int] $S1=Get-Content "D:\test$($a).csv" -Tail 1 |  Foreach-Object {$_ -replace "`"", ""} | ForEach-Object{$_.Split(",")[1]} | write-host

How can I get that variable working inside that path?

I can confirm what @Joseph says. It works with just "D:\test$a.csv". — Palle Due
– Palle Due, Commented Nov 24, 2017 at 8:31
I thought so too, but I have 2 files for testing "test.csv" and "test24112017.csv" . Using "D:\test$a.csv displays the contents of "test.csv" — Kaspar
– Kaspar, Commented Nov 24, 2017 at 8:32
You can simply use : Get-Content "D:\test$(Get-Date -Format 'ddMMyyyy').csv" -Tail 1 — Manu
– Manu, Commented Nov 24, 2017 at 8:39

Manu · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-24 08:42:54Z

4

Do not use (Get-Date).ToShortDateString() | Foreach-Object {$_ -replace "\.", ""}, just use Get-Date -Format 'ddMMyyyy' to format the date the way you want :

Get-Content "D:\test$(Get-Date -Format 'ddMMyyyy').csv" -Tail 1

Formatting Dates and Times

answered Nov 24, 2017 at 8:42

Manu

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henrycarteruk · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-24 10:21:53Z

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Hmm aren't you over-complicating things a bit?

First of all, (Get-Date).ToShortDateString() doesn't give me 24112017 but 24-11-2017. So i'm guessing we have different regional settings, what part of the world are you from?

Have you printed out $a? What does it give you?

I would go for a different approach. Since your filename is literally always newer than the previous one (because it holds a date). I would just sort on the Name and select the first one (aka the newest file).

$newestfile = Get-ChildItem c:\temp |  Sort-Object Name -Desc | select * -First 1

Now go do whatever you want with your latest file.

get-content $newestfile.fullname

edited Nov 24, 2017 at 10:21

henrycarteruk

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answered Nov 24, 2017 at 8:57

Snak3d0c

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