ConvertFrom-StringData

Syntax

ConvertFrom-StringData
                [-StringData] <String>
                [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The ConvertFrom-StringData cmdlet converts a string that contains one or more key and value pairs into a hash table. Because each key-value pair must be on a separate line, here-strings are often used as the input format. By default, the key must be separated from the value by an equals sign (=) character.

The ConvertFrom-StringData cmdlet is considered to be a safe cmdlet that can be used in the DATA section of a script or function. When used in a DATA section, the contents of the string must conform to the rules for a DATA section. For more information, see about_Data_Sections.

ConvertFrom-StringData supports escape character sequences that are allowed by conventional machine translation tools. That is, the cmdlet can interpret backslashes (\) as escape characters in the string data by using the Regex.Unescape Method, instead of the PowerShell backtick character (`) that would normally signal the end of a line in a script. Inside the here-string, the backtick character does not work. You can also preserve a literal backslash in your results by escaping it with a preceding backslash, like this: \\. Unescaped backslash characters, such as those that are commonly used in file paths, can render as illegal escape sequences in your results.

Examples

Example 1: Convert a single-quoted here-string to a hash table

This example converts a single-quoted here-string of user messages into a hash table. In a single-quoted string, values are not substituted for variables and expressions are not evaluated. The ConvertFrom-StringData cmdlet converts the value in the $Here variable to a hash table.

$Here = @'
Msg1 = The string parameter is required.
Msg2 = Credentials are required for this command.
Msg3 = The specified variable does not exist.
'@
ConvertFrom-StringData -StringData $Here

Name                           Value
----                           -----
Msg3                           The specified variable does not exist.
Msg2                           Credentials are required for this command.
Msg1                           The string parameter is required.

Example 2: Convert a here-string containing a comment

This example converts a here-string that contains a comment and multiple key-value pairs into a hash table.

ConvertFrom-StringData -StringData @'
Name = Disks.ps1

# Category is optional.

Category = Storage
Cost = Free
'@

Name                           Value
----                           -----
Cost                           Free
Category                       Storage
Name                           Disks.ps1

The value of the StringData parameter is a here-string, instead of a variable that contains a here-string. Either format is valid. The here-string includes a comment about one of the strings. ConvertFrom-StringData ignores single-line comments, but the # character must be the first non-whitespace character on the line. All characters on the line after the # are ignored.

Example 3: Convert a string to a hash table

This example converts a regular double-quoted string (not a here-string) into a hash table and saves it in the $A variable.

$A = ConvertFrom-StringData -StringData "Top = Red `n Bottom = Blue"
$A

Name             Value
----             -----
Bottom           Blue
Top              Red

To satisfy the condition that each key-value pair must be on a separate line, the string uses the PowerShell newline character (`n) to separate the pairs.

Example 4: Use ConvertFrom-StringData in the DATA section of a script

This example shows a ConvertFrom-StringData command used in the DATA section of a script. The statements below the DATA section display the text to the user.

$TextMsgs = DATA {
ConvertFrom-StringData @'
Text001 = The $Notebook variable contains the name of the user's system notebook.
Text002 = The $MyNotebook variable contains the name of the user's private notebook.
'@
}
$TextMsgs

Name             Value
----             -----
Text001          The $Notebook variable contains the name of the user's system notebook.
Text002          The $MyNotebook variable contains the name of the user's private notebook.

Because the text includes variable names, it must be enclosed in a single-quoted string so that the variables are interpreted literally and not expanded. Variables are not permitted in the DATA section.

Example 5: Use the pipeline operator to pass a string

This example shows that you can use a pipeline operator (|) to send a string to ConvertFrom-StringData. The value of the $Here variable is piped to ConvertFrom-StringData and the result in the $Hash variable.

$Here = @'
Msg1 = The string parameter is required.
Msg2 = Credentials are required for this command.
Msg3 = The specified variable does not exist.
'@
$Hash = $Here | ConvertFrom-StringData
$Hash

Name     Value
----     -----
Msg3     The specified variable does not exist.
Msg2     Credentials are required for this command.
Msg1     The string parameter is required.

Example 6: Use escape characters to add new lines and return characters

This example shows the use of escape characters to create new lines and return characters in source data. The escape sequence \n is used to create new lines within a block of text that is associated with a name or item in the resulting hash table.

ConvertFrom-StringData @"
Vincentio = Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,\nNot light them for themselves; for if our virtues\nDid not go forth of us, 'twere all alike\nAs if we had them not.
Angelo = Let there be some more test made of my metal,\nBefore so noble and so great a figure\nBe stamp'd upon it.
"@ | Format-List

Name  : Angelo
Value : Let there be some more test made of my metal,
        Before so noble and so great a figure
        Be stamp'd upon it.

Name  : Vincentio
Value : Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
        Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
        Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike
        As if we had them not.

Example 7: Use backslash escape character to correctly render a file path

This example shows how to use of the backslash escape character in the string data to allow a file path to render correctly in the resulting ConvertFrom-StringData hash table. The double backslash ensures that the literal backslash characters render correctly in the hash table output.

ConvertFrom-StringData "Message=Look in c:\\Windows\\System32"

Name                           Value
----                           -----
Message                        Look in c:\Windows\System32

Parameters

-StringData

Inputs

String

You can pipe a string containing a key-value pair to this cmdlet.

Outputs

Hashtable

This cmdlet returns a hash table that it creates from the key-value pairs.

Notes

A here-string is a string consisting of one or more lines within which quotation marks are interpreted literally.

This cmdlet can be useful in scripts that display user messages in multiple spoken languages. You can use the dictionary-style hash tables to isolate text strings from code, such as in resource files, and to format the text strings for use in translation tools.