Batch file to edit multiple .txt files

Question

I have over 1300 .txt files where I need to edit the first line of text, replacing one name for another. Can someone please advise of the best way to achieve this?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Stu

For a windows solution, see this question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/60034/how-can-you-find-and-replace-text-in-a-file-using-the-windows-command-line-envir — James Bradbury, Feb 25 '16 at 09:22

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered May 28 '10 at 13:33

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If this is Linux, then sed is the answer.

answered May 28 '10 at 13:33

eemz

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Thanks I am on Windows, not Linux. – Stuart May 28 '10 at 13:47

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 28 '10 at 13:34

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Use sed. Here's a simple one-liner that would do what you want:

sed -i '1s/oldtext/newtext/' *.txt

The -i tells sed to edit the files in-place. The 1 at the beginning of the pattern applies it only to the first line. The s// constrution replaces the text.

answered May 28 '10 at 13:34

Edward Dale

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Keep in mind that sed is available on windows through Cygwin: http://www.cygwin.com/ – Edward Dale May 28 '10 at 13:50

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 28 '10 at 13:43

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perl -npi~ -e "s/old/new/g" file.txt

If you're on a Windows machine, install Strawberry Perl.

answered May 28 '10 at 13:43

Robert Wohlfarth

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I am downloading Strawberry Perl, so I'll give it try. Thank you for your reply!!! – Stuart May 28 '10 at 13:47

Batch file to edit multiple .txt files

3 Answers3