i've searched but I can't find out how to parse/extract a couple of characters from a users input. I need the first two right now, but it would be handy to learn how to get any section. I'd really appreciate any help/suggestions. Is there a 'good' XP Batch tutor somewhere? The ones I've found don't give enough examples.

if you check and READ set /?, you can find the answer to extract substring in cmd. If not, you can use this vbscript Set objArgs = WScript.Arguments strUserInput = objArgs(0) strStart = objArgs(1) strEnd = objArgs(2) WScript.Echo Mid(strUserInput,strStart,strEnd) save the above as test.vbs and on command line(batch), usage: C:\test>cscript /nologo test.vbs "userinput" 2 4 seri

Thanks for responding Ghostdog, but I'm afraid I don't understand. I can't use a script, I have to do this with a batch file. I'm using the following: set /p q=Enter the name: and I get q equal to the name that is typed in, but I need to extract the first two characters in q and set another variable to those two characters. I'm sorry if I'm not making things clear.

like i said, check out the set /? help. There's a portion that shows you how to do substring.

Sorry about that Ghostdog! I messed up when I did the set /?. I didn't hit a key and only saw the first few lines. I found the 'subset' instructions and will see if my feeble old brain can figure it out and get it to work. Thanks very much!

OK, I'm pretty slow and it took me quite a while, but after much trial and error I finally got it right. I did it with: set q=%r:0,2% Thanks a lot Ghostdog!