Hi,

i use a batch to get a value from another file

for /F "usebackq delims==" %%i IN ( activename.txt) DO Set line = %%i
echo %line%

here is what I get. any idea why ?

C:\batch\try>Set line = @Fw_Profile_Domain

C:\batch\try>Set line =

C:\batch\try>Set line =

C:\batch\try>echo
ECHO is on.

thank you

You cannot echo %line% within the FOR loop becuase the variable isn't set until it reaches the end ")".

There are two solutions:
1. Use echo %%i instead of echo %line% in the FOR loop.
2. Use call :label method (which is posted hereunder)

@echo off
for /F "usebackq delims==" %%i IN (activename.txt) do (
set line=%%i
call :show
)
:show
echo %line%

Well, you took the first step in debugging it yourself. Namely, left ECHO turned ON, so it's not too hard to see what's happening. You have two problems.

1) SET line=
will clear a variable. Since your input has two blank lines, line gets set once, and cleared twice.

2) Spaces are needlessly important in command scripting. As such, you're not using %line%, you're using %line %. (Notice the space?)

A better command would be:
FOR /F "usebackq delims==" %%i IN (activename.txt) DO IF NOT (%%i)==() SET line=%%i

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

"becuase the variable isn't set until it reaches the end "
I correct myself here. Still, the solutions posted works.

I forgot to mention that you also can use delayed expansion:

@echo off
SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion
for /F "usebackq delims==" %%i IN (activename.txt) do (
set line=%%i
echo !line!
)