Hi How do I name a file with the current date in DOS? E.g. 20020202.txt Thanks

I don't think this can be done using batch commands/variables. Please see my post on the previous thread "reading text from a file" about the use of Qbasic to do this kind of thing. It would take, literally, just a few lines of Basic to do exactly what you want. I've left Qbasic behind about 10 years ago, but I can tell you for a fact that what you want to do can be done in just 3 short lines of code.

WHAT? What did you said? Of course it's possible! It seems that some people are underestimating batch language these days... @echo off if "%3"=="" if not "%2"=="" if exist %1.%2 goto start echo ERROR: invalid parameters, parameter missing or excess of parameters. echo SINTAX: %0 filename fileextention echo. goto eof :start echo @PROMPT SET DATE=$D$_> %temp%.\$$tmp.bat %comspec% /c %temp%.\$$tmp.bat > %temp%.\$$tmp2.bat echo e111';'> %temp%.\$$tmp.bat echo e114';'>> %temp%.\$$tmp.bat echo w>> %temp%.\$$tmp.bat echo q>> %temp%.\$$tmp.bat debug.exe %temp%.\$$tmp2.bat < %temp%.\$$tmp.bat > nul call %temp%.\$$tmp2.bat echo SET DATE=%%2%%3%%4> %temp%.\$$tmp.bat call %temp%.\$$tmp.bat;%date% for %%d in (tmp.bat tmp2.bat) do if exist %temp%.\$$%%d del %temp%.\$$%%d REN %1.%2 %DATE%.%2 :eof Be aware of line wrapping (cut-paste this text and I think it will be alright) -- Secret_Doom - Leonardo Pignataro -- secret_doom@hotmail.com www.batch.hpg.com.br

Oh, I forgot saying: CUT-PASTE that text and save it with a .bat extention. It will become a batch file (executable) The sintax is: batchname filename fileextention Let's say you save it with the name COPYDATE.BAT, and you want to rename the file DATA.TXT to 02032002.TXT: copydate data txt Got it? -- Secret_Doom - Leonardo Pignataro -- secret_doom@hotmail.com www.batch.hpg.com.br

Mr Doom. Wonderful! :):):)# You've proved my point brilliantly. But why on earth go to all that palaver?

Thanks Guys You've helped me to solve my original problem. Cheers Andy