Get the newest file in any folder using batch script

Question

I have a folder which contains text and excel files. I want the newest or most newly modified excel file . I need to use that file name as an argument to some other program.

I am using below code:

@ECHO OFF
SET FILE="D:\IncrementalCompile\deploy\*.xlsx"
SET cmd="for /F %%i in ("%FILE%") do @echo %%~ni"
FOR /F "tokens=*" %%a in ('%cmd%') do SET arg1=%%a
ECHO "%arg1%"

i am able to do this using Python. But my need is to use a batch program. But this is not giving me the right result. Please help or suggest. Thanks.

Squashman · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-07 16:59:18Z

2

@ECHO OFF
for /F %%i in ('dir D:\IncrementalCompile\deploy\*.xlsx /B /OD /A-D') do set arg1=%%i
ECHO "%arg1%"

edited Oct 7, 2018 at 16:59

Squashman

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answered Oct 7, 2018 at 16:41

selbie

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4 Comments

priyabrata mohanty Over a year ago

Its showing error: "The system could not find the file specified."

Squashman Over a year ago

@selbie, you should add "delims=" to the code as well otherwise file names with spaces will get split apart.

Squashman Over a year ago

@priyabratamohanty, it is a lot easier to copy and paste the error message from the console window then taking a screen shot and linking to it. Please do this going forward.

priyabrata mohanty Over a year ago

Below is the error:The system cannot find the path specified. "" Press any key to continue . . .

ddbug · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-07 17:13:39Z

0

We are now in year 2018, and here is a powershell one-liner:

dir *.xls | sort-object -property lastwritetime -descending | select-object -first 1

answered Oct 7, 2018 at 17:13

ddbug

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6 Comments

Squashman Over a year ago

What does the year have to do with anything? I know people who still program in Fortran, Assembler and PL/1 because it is the best language for the tasks they need to accomplish.

priyabrata mohanty Over a year ago

But this does not work on cmd. Can i invoke the powershell into a batch script.

ddbug Over a year ago

Of course you can. Even if script execution is disabled, it can be forced with some simple option.

ddbug Over a year ago

@Squashman Exactly because the best language for task definition changes with time ;)

priyabrata mohanty Over a year ago

@ddbug : How can i able to invoke the powershell into a batch script.

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