Make the path as variable in PowerShell

Question

I am newbie in PowerShell and I am searching for a way to make the script more dynamic As an example in the script file I have this line

cd C:\Users\Future\Desktop

How can I make the path dynamic ...? I mean to let the other people who will take this script file to run it without changing the username in this line?

Use Read-Host or Environment variable $env:USERPROFILE\Desktop. — Vivek Kumar Singh
– Vivek Kumar Singh, Commented Aug 5, 2019 at 7:57

Martin Brandl · Accepted Answer · 2019-08-05 07:57:53Z

4

You can either add a parameter to the script or use the USERPROFILE variable:

cd (Join-Path $env:USERPROFILE 'Desktop')

answered Aug 5, 2019 at 7:57

Martin Brandl

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3 Comments

YasserKhalil Over a year ago

Thank you very much. It works like charm. Best Regards

YasserKhalil Over a year ago

By the way, I have this line convert Image.png -resize 300x300 -density 300 -quality 100 ImageNew.png, how can I make Image.png as variable that takes its value from cell in excel .. as I will execute this from excel VBA

Martin Brandl Over a year ago

Sorry, im not into excel VBA. You probably have to add param($image) at the top of the script and pass the value when you invoke it (ofc, you also have to use $image instead of Image.png). You may start a new question.

general-gouda · Accepted Answer · 2019-08-05 17:52:38Z

To expand upon @Martin Brandl's answer, I would suggest going the Parameter route. You can set a default value for your own use while also allowing people to specify a different path when they run the script. As a small example:

[CmdletBinding()]
param(
    [string]$Path = "C:\Users\Future\Desktop"
)

Set-Location $Path

If you use the Mandatory parameter setting it will require someone to input a Path each time the script is run which is similar to using Read-Host

[CmdletBinding()]
param(
    [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
    [string]$Path
)

Set-Location $Path

There are other parameter settings you can use for validation purposes.

I would recommend looking through this page for more information on to set up functions as it describes a lot of the options you can use in parameters.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_functions?view=powershell-6

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