add current date/time to filename

[app_dev]

Hi there.

I have a batch file that runs a dts package against a txt file (extract.txt). The batch file runs 4 times a week. I used to just delete the extract file after the dts had finished but now I have to move the Extract file into a folder called E:\Extract\OLD.

my problem is that the extracts have to have the current date/time added to their file name, before they are put in the OLD folder, so that a collection of past extract files are stored in a folder, which can be viewed for reference. So what I need to do is rename the extract.txt so that the current date/time is added to the end of the file name:

eg extract.txt would renamed extract011120061534.txt (todays date and time)

and then move it into the old folder.

Is there a way of doing this within my current batch file so that the date/time is automatically added to the file name.

Thanks in advance ps..im a novice at batch files, so please keep it simple if possible

[GuruGary]

Do you want to rename it with the current date and time?  Or the date and timestamp of the file?

I am making the following assumptions: You are running Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista, your regional settings are U.S., English, and you want to use the preferred format of YYYYMMDDhhmm.  Try:

Code: [Select]

@echo off
setlocal
set hour=%time:~0,2%
if %hour% LSS 10 set hour=0%hour:~-1%
ren extract.txt extract%date:~-4%%date:~-10,2%%date:~-7,2%%hour%%time:~3,2%.txtIf you need a different format, post back and let us know.

If you just need to add the date to the filename (without time) it can be done in just 1 line of code.

[app_dev]

thanks I'll give that a try.

I get email an extract several times a week. Each time the extract has the same file name. Now I have to put the extracts in a folder called old, for referencing purposes I need the date/timestamp added to the filename, so that over a period of week, the "Oldfolder" will have files listed like thus:

extract110120061345.txt
extract110220061406.txt

[QBasicMac]

Four times a week? Then you don't need the time.

I suggest you change the standard for your history folder like this:
extract20061101.txt
extract20061102.txt

Namely, put the year first so at the end of the year
extract20061229.txt
extract20070102.txt
remain in order. Otherwise, all your Januarys will be together regardless of year.

Mac

[LHinkel]

This worked great!

Thanks.

Lorie