How to return string variable from vbs file to batch file

Question

I have a batch file that runs and calls .vbs file called "SelectNBType.vbs" The mentioned .vbs file prompt a small UI output for the user to input a string as shown.

///Start of Batch file///
For /F "Tokens=2 Delims=" %%I In ('cscript //nologo SelectNBType.vbs') Do 
Set _NBType=%%I

IF %_NBType%==n (
Echo Normal

)
IF %_NBType%=="c" (
Echo Common
)

And the .VBS as below

////Start of .VBS file
titletext = "Select Notebook Type"  
prompttext = "Enter NB Type"

NBType = inputbox(prompttext & chr(13) & "   (Type n if NORMAL user NB)" & 
chr(13) & "   (Type n if COMMON/POOL user NB)", titletext)

if NBType = "n" Then
x=MsgBox ("You have selected a Normal Notebook",0+32,"Notification")
WScript.Quit 1

elseif NBType = "c" Then
x=MsgBox ("You have selected a Common/Pool Notebook",0+32,"Notification")

End If

I am trying to figure out a way to allow the .vbs file to return the output entered by the user as a string to the batch file so that it can be used later in the batch file in the if conditions as shown.

Thanks

Possible duplicate of [How to set commands output as a variable in a batch file](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6359820/how-to-set-commands-output-as-a-variable-in-a-batch-file) — phuclv, Mar 14 '18 at 02:22

Regis Desrosiers · Answer 1 · 2018-03-14T02:24:04.237

1

Do you really need to pass the selection as a string? If you have only two options, you can return each of them with either WScript.Quit 1 or WScript.Quit 2 and use that value in the batch file like that:

VBS:

titletext = "Select Notebook Type"  
prompttext = "Enter NB Type"

NBType = inputbox(prompttext & chr(13) & "   (Type n if NORMAL user NB)" & chr(13) & "   (Type c if COMMON/POOL user NB)", titletext)

If NBType = "n" Then
   MsgBox "You have selected a Normal Notebook",0+32,"Notification"
   WScript.Quit 1
Elseif NBType = "c" Then
   MsgBox "You have selected a Common/Pool Notebook",0+32,"Notification"
   WScript.Quit 2
End If

BAT:

cscript //nologo SelectNBType.vbs
IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 1 ECHO You have selected a Normal Notebook.
IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 2 ECHO You have selected a Common/Pool Notebook.

edited Mar 14 '18 at 02:24

answered Mar 14 '18 at 02:04

Regis Desrosiers

537
3
13

Yes, I tested it. – Regis Desrosiers Mar 14 '18 at 02:39
Thanks, It worked, your solution does what I need. But just back to the question, is there a way to pass the string back from VBS to batch ? – user1111726 Mar 14 '18 at 02:50
see the other answer, the solution is there. at least pay attention to what others offer to you! – elzooilogico Mar 14 '18 at 17:33
1

@elzzilogico, the answer you refering to came after I have asked the question, you need a chill pill ! – user1111726 Mar 17 '18 at 18:39

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 14 '18 at 03:28

0

Use wscript.echo in VBScript which write to StdOut when run with CScript (and a msgbox when run with wscript).

 For /f "delims=" %%A in (`cscript //nologo c:\file.vbs`) do echo %%A

See for /?.

answered Mar 14 '18 at 03:28

AMagpie

176
1
4

not sure, I'm using a phone, but your *for* command quoting may need *usebackq* before *delims* – elzooilogico Mar 14 '18 at 17:41
*wscript.echo* must be the last line, for *for* to grab the desired output. a script example would have been fine! – elzooilogico Mar 14 '18 at 17:47

How to return string variable from vbs file to batch file

2 Answers2